So, you’re preparing for university? Great – we’re sure you can’t wait to get a real taste for independent living and not have to do what you’re told by your parents.
Although the range of student accommodation in Bolton is vast, most first-year students opt for halls of residence – either university-owned or private – as opposed to sharing a house with a group of strangers.
Living in halls sure does have its perks. For starters, it’s one of the most affordable options and bills are all-inclusive. They are often located on/close to the university campus which makes it convenient for attending lectures and the library. And, because you’re surrounded by other first-year students, there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends and find your feet.
But there are a few things you’ll only learn after you’ve moved into halls…
What to expect from living in halls:
- Noisy neighbours – one thing you’ll find out when you move into your accommodation is that things can get very noisy, very quickly. Halls are pretty compact and sound travels surprisingly well. The chances are you’ll hear your neighbours talking on the phone, playing music, watching TV or shutting their door – which means they’ll hear you too. Just be mindful of this, especially at night-time and during exam season.
- Fridge raiders – more often than not, in halls, you don’t get to choose who you live with and you’ll have your own bedroom with high-quality furnishings – including a bed, study area and washbasin. This means you’ll have to store your food in the fridge in the communal kitchen. But, the harsh reality is, you can’t trust that someone else won’t scoff your food. Probably a good idea to label your stuff or perhaps club together to buy food and essential items so it’s fair.
- Shared bathrooms – unless you’re one of the lucky ones with an en-suite room, you’ll likely share a bathroom with those on the same floor as you. Although this can work well – especially if you’re running low on shower gel or forgot to pick up toothpaste when you were at the shop – it’s not recommended to leave your toiletries lying around if you don’t want others to use them. It’s also worth remembering that others will need to use the bathroom after you, so try not to hog the shower for too long and always make sure that you keep it clean.
- Messy kitchen – sharing a kitchen is great. But halls tend not to come with a dishwasher, so pots, pans and cutlery can soon pile up around the kitchen sink. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep a pair of marigolds handy, along with antibacterial surface wipes, a dishcloth and a clean tea towel to dry everything up. Perhaps you could get everyone to chip in to buy washing up liquid too?
Could you see yourself living in halls?
Now you know a little bit about what to expect from living in halls, you can make an informed decision as to whether it’s the right option for you. If it is, and you’re looking for affordable student accommodation in Bolton, be sure to contact Orlando Village – the only provider to be recommended and approved by the University of Bolton.
Their private halls consist of 381 rooms, including Bronze rooms (from as little as £99 per week) that are furnished with a single bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, shelves and a washbasin – and Silver rooms that have recently been refurbished, have a ¾ bed and cost £125 per week.
Orlando Village’s student accommodation in Bolton is in a fantastic location – just a 10-minute walk from the main campus and town centre. And if you’re worried about making friends, fear not, they have a communal building called ‘The Hub’ which is where you’ll find a TV, football table and pool table, as well as table tennis.
So, what are you waiting for? Call 01204 903 488 to secure your place today.
