When most people picture moving into student accommodation, the expectation is that it will be fun, lively and full of parties. It is easy to imagine late nights with friends, shared meals, and endless laughter. While these moments certainly do happen, the reality is far more complex. Sharing a living space with others comes with both joys and challenges, and it often requires adjustment, compromise, and more patience than one might expect.
One of the first lessons you learn is that people are raised differently, and these differences quickly become apparent when you live together. It is not unusual to encounter clashes over cleanliness, hygiene, and general etiquette. Suddenly, you may find yourself having to initiate conversations that you have never had before, such as asking someone to wash their dishes or to keep communal surfaces clean. Even if your university provides weekly cleaning services, as mine did in Surrey, there is still an expectation that you and your flatmates maintain a reasonable level of tidiness in between.
In my own experience, I lived in Battersea Court, where I shared a flat with thirteen other people. We had a wonderful time together, often gathering in the kitchen to make pancakes, drink tea, play board games, and discuss our different cultural backgrounds. Those moments of bonding were invaluable, but they existed alongside more difficult conversations about responsibilities. We eventually created a rota system to manage the general cleaning of the kitchen. Each person had their turn, whether they had cooked or not. This helped us hold one another accountable and ensured that the burden of cleaning was shared fairly.
Beyond the practical challenges of shared living, there are the small but significant realisations you encounter when moving into accommodation for the first time. No matter how carefully you pack, there will always be items you did not think to bring. Storage is usually the most common need. Under-bed storage boxes, additional hangers, and wall hooks quickly become essential for keeping a small room organised.
Equally important is making your room feel like home. University life can be demanding, and it makes a difference to have a space that feels warm and personal at the end of a long day. Decorations such as posters, plants, or even a string of lights can transform a plain room into one that reflects your personality. For many students, it is the small personal touches, such as photographs or an object from home, that provide the greatest sense of comfort.
Living with people from different backgrounds also brings cultural differences to the surface. Food, for example, can be a point of contention, whether because of the aroma, the spice level, or simply unfamiliar ingredients. The kitchen, being a shared space, requires tolerance and understanding. It is important to be open to conversations about these differences and to find ways to accommodate one another. In my flat, we often chose to embrace these differences by sharing meals, which not only introduced us to new cuisines but also helped build friendships.
There is also a mental and emotional side to moving into student accommodation that is less often discussed. The first few nights can feel lonely, particularly for students who are living away from home for the first time. It is not unusual to miss family, friends, or the familiarity of your own bedroom. Coping with this transition takes time, but there are ways to ease it. For some, it helps to bring along a reminder of home, whether that is a favourite teddy bear, a familiar pillowcase, or a playlist of songs. Others find comfort in late-night conversations with flatmates, or in phone calls to friends and family.
The first weeks of university are usually filled with activities, and immersing yourself in them can also help ease the transition. By the time you return to your room, you may find that exhaustion leaves little room for homesickness. More importantly, making the effort to connect with flatmates can turn strangers into companions. Some students go through an entire year without speaking to those they live with, but it is worth making the effort to knock on a door, share a meal, or stay up late talking. These conversations often become the foundations of strong, lasting friendships.
Ultimately, moving into student accommodation is about much more than simply having a place to sleep. It is an experience that teaches independence, patience, and the importance of community. It can be both messy and magical, filled with laughter one moment and difficult conversations the next. What no one tells you is that it will challenge you, but it will also shape you in ways that extend far beyond your time at university.
