When you arrive at university, seeing your new, empty room for the first time can be daunting. James Williams gives you his tips on filling a whole new, empty space, and knowing exactly what to bring with you when leaving home.
When you arrive at university, seeing your new, empty room for the first time can be daunting. With a whole new space to fill, it can be difficult to know exactly what to bring with you. James Williams gives his tips for moving into your new place.
A blank slate…
So, you’ve got a blank canvas in front of you. What do you bring? The first thing I thought about was how I was going to decorate my room to make it feel as homely as possible. I’m really into art, so I brought drawings, postcards, posters, and plants from home (and bought some more along the way). Having a few personal items around definitely makes the room feel more your own – although also develops the longer you live there. I’ve been slowly bringing more and more from home, decluttering as I go. While halls usually include storage space, you’ll probably end up having more in your room than you originally brought with you, so extra storage options like foldable shelving/storage boxes are a student’s dream.
Next, it’s important to check what the accommodation includes: what furniture does your room already include? (You can usually check this online.) Essentials like desk lamps, drawers, and shelves are usually included in halls accommodation, but this can vary depending on whether you’re renting privately. Bed sizes can also vary between halls , so definitely check this before buying any new sheets!
Succulents are a great choice for student accommodation – all they need are some sun, and a weekly watering!
Now you know what you’ve got to work with, make a list of anything else you’ll be needing. There are services like Click2Campus that offer purchasable packages of kitchen utensils, bedding and bathroom supplies, delivered straight to your halls. However, it can often be more cost-effective to go out and shop for these yourself – and this way you make sure you get exactly what you want!
It’s also important to know what you can’t bring with you to halls. Things like pets, plug-in fairy lights, and Blu Tack are amongst the most common things that halls of residence ask students not to bring, but again this can vary if you are renting privately.
Bear in mind that, not matter social you are, you are likely going to be spending a fair amount of time in your room, so decorate it in a way that makes you feel comfortable! Also, remember to bring things besides just study equipment so you can have time to relax in your room as well, whether this means bringing your record player, favourite books, or TV,
With all this in mind, good luck moving into your new room! Part of the ‘first day at university’ experience for everyone is decorating – consider leaving your door ajar so that your new flatmates can say hello!
For more information about Goldsmiths’ student halls, visit the Accommodation page on the Goldsmiths website. If you’re looking for somewhere near New Cross to buy plants for your brand new student room, check out Green Onions.