At first moving out of halls, seemed like it would be simple. Pack up my stuff, grab the keys and head into “Individualism”. The truth was very different, and there were many things I didn’t expect.
Build up of Clutter
The first thing is I did not expect how much stuff I had brought or collected over the year. In my head I only brought a few boxes to Uni, but by the time I was moving out it seemed more like a warehouse load of containers! Packing took way longer than I remembered, and I wish I had started earlier instead of trying to cram it all over a week.
Living off campus
I also did not expect how different it would feel to live away from the liveliness of the campus. In halls there’s always people around, either cooking in the kitchen or leaving doors open to talk. Once I moved into privately rented accommodation, it was a lot more quieter. At first it was felt lonelier, however it came with independence and a chance to focus on myself.
Bills
Bills were another big wake-up call. In halls everything was included. So suddenly I had to think about gas, electricity, water and WIFI, and splitting costs with my roommate. It was confusing at first, but it taught me valuable lessons about budgeting and communication.
Cleaning
Cleaning was a surprise too. In halls, mess was either noticeable, or it wasn’t, given how many people were there. Sharing with one other person made it easier to manage cleaning, taking out the trash, and other activities. However in the privately rented accommodation, my roommate did not clean so most of the house was left on me. It was frustrating, however it forced me to try and set boundaries and figure out how to handle any potential conflict involved in differing levels of cleanliness.
Missing Halls
The biggest thing I did not expect was how much I missed living in halls once I’d left. At the time I thought I was ready for the next step, but looking back I missed the late-night walks with friends, shared snacks, games nights and a sense of freedom.
Moving out of halls is a big step. It comes with unforeseen challenges, but it pushes you to grow. If you are about to make the move, my advice is simple: start packing early, talk openly with housemates about money and chores, and appreciate every moment in halls while it lasts.
Moving out of halls doesn’t have to be daunting, our student support services will always be there to help guide you and share advice to reduce any worries or concerns.
