Preparing to live in halls
By Sophie Denyer, 3rd year, BA (Hons) Public Relations
The idea of meeting lots of new people, having your own flat with no parents around and all those cheap drinks in the Student Union might be all you can think about, but there are a few other things to think about before you embark on life at UCLan…
In typical university accommodation you will most likely have a couple of drawers, a single wardrobe and maybe some storage under your bed. If you’re thinking that your wardrobe needs ten times that space, it might be time to think about bringing clothes up according to the season. You won’t need your summer dresses or Bermuda shorts in Preston in September…trust me. Bringing some extra storage boxes can ease the problem, but be prepared to be pushed for space. You also need to check what else is provided as most halls do not provide bedding or towels.
Living in halls means sharing a kitchen, so your allocated storage space might be limited in there too. Think realistically about what you’ll be cooking. Do you really need that vegetable steamer or that ice cream maker? It’s worth waiting until you arrive to see what your flat mates are bringing; no flat needs four kettles!
Another space saving option is to double up your computer or lap top as a TV. Don’t forget, you will need a TV license! If you are lucky your communal area might be covered, but if you plan on watching TV in your room, get ready to splash the cash on a license or risk being fined.
Saving all your music to your laptop rather than bringing your entire CD collection to uni is also worth considering. It’s important to make your room feel like home, but will you really miss all those ornaments and trinkets? If not leave them at home. Don’t plan on hanging mirrors and pictures on the wall, most halls will charge you if you do!
