Written by Catalina Constantin (2022 DMU Alumni)
Making your way inside your new student home might make you both excited and nervous. It is normal to feel a range of emotions. Try not to worry too much. There are a lot of resources out there to help and guide you on your journey. It is time to settle and relax into your new home.
Make sure you know what the accommodation provides you and that it is safe and secure. Once you move in, check the condition of your accommodation. Also, don’t forget that you need to understand and respect your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
Are you renting a room in a shared house or a studio? Do you have an en-suite bathroom, or are you sharing one? Are the bills covered or do you need to figure out how to set up the household bills?
Many factors can contribute to stress and some of them could have a negative impact on your mental health. One thing that can help reduce this issue is socialising. You’ll be surrounded by a lot of students, from flatmates to people who live in your building and course mates. Make an effort to get to know some of them, especially the people with whom you’ll be living with.
If you’re feeling shy, spend a bit of time in the communal areas or leave your door open for your flatmates to stop and introduce themselves. It is important to set some rules in place together, keeping in mind you will be living with them for the entire academic year. This will make your time together as stress-free as possible.
There are several things you could consider to avoid unnecessary arguments. Have a conversation about your routines, being in sync with each other as much as possible will help. Respect everyone’s personal space. Label your things. Any noise complaints? When possible, wear headphones and consider buying some earplugs.
Try to be aware of any bad habits and be kind and considerate of those around you. And who knows, maybe you will get along and organise social gatherings together. Communication is the best solution. If you don’t get along with someone, don’t worry. You’ll get to know more people. Explore other ways to take care of yourself at university and help to reduce stress as a student.
Although my advice is to go out there and get out of your comfort zone as much as possible, you need to be able to concentrate when it comes down to studying. Don’t forget to allocate enough time for it. If you find you’re still struggling to cope with your workload, support is also available from De Montfort Student Union Advice and Leicester Student Union Advice.
If you would like to get in touch about any stress related accommodation issues you can call us on 0116 467 0315, send us an email to enquiries@sulets.com, or pop into our lettings office on the DMU campus.
Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash