Hi, I’m Victoria, a 3rd year Wildlife Media student at the University of Cumbria. Once I graduate, I hope to move into wildlife filmmaking, but wedding photography may be an in-between step first! I enjoy spending time lone walking and enjoying the peacefulness that it offers.
Here I tell you all about my experience of living in halls of residence at university!
My Experience Living in Halls
During the first year of my studies at the Carlisle Brampton Road campus, I lived at Denton Holme Student Village, which is located close to the city centre. When moving in, I was not sure what to expect at all, having never visited; however, the staff were so lovely, friendly, and made me feel very comfortable.
Townhouses at Denton Holme Student Village
This was made better by the bubbly energy of my housemates, some of whom I had made contact with a few months prior via Facebook. Walking into a spacious, clean room made it easier for me to make it my own. Having brought pictures, books and other décor, it quickly became mine. Buying some plants was also a great choice!
Meeting my flatmates went well and after our parents had left, it was great to mingle in the kitchen, getting to know one another as we all settled in. Denton Holme Student Village is formed of terraced-style houses, each with a little garden, so it was lovely to get to know everyone along our row the next few evenings.
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Bedroom at Denton Holme Student Village
The First Few Weeks
When you move in with new people, and are placed into a large group, there are bound to be differences between you. The kitchen and lounge are communal areas, and I had difficulty at times dealing with my housemates’ preferences around mealtimes, cleanliness, and socialising, but it was quickly something I adapted to.
There were times too where I felt homesick, and I struggled without the familiarity of my family, home, and friends. The people I lived with—and friends I was making here—felt the same, so it was good to push myself to get out and socialise. It was nice finding out I wasn’t alone, and I focused on keeping busy and being pro-active.
What I Loved Most About Living in Halls
So, what did I most enjoy about living in student halls?
- The easy transition to living alone, knowing I had friends in the same boat as me, and staff close by to offer support.
- The social aspect and being able to go into communal areas with the likelihood of others being there.
- That I got to gain some independence and freedom! Plus, it was totally up to me in regard to what I did and when I did it!
My Three Top Tips for Settling In
It can be daunting moving into accommodation with people you don’t know, but here are a few things that I would recommend:
- Join some groups on Facebook; whether it’s with people who are on the same course as you or just other incoming first year students. It's a great way to get to know people!
- Bring some home comforts with you, whether that’s pictures, a cuddly childhood toy, or even some yummy treats.
- Keep talking to people! Be that family, friends from home, or your new flat/housemates. It can be scary, but anything that means you are talking to people will remind you that you are not alone.
Thinking of Living in Halls?
Living in student accommodation was beneficial for me as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me to get to know new people. Each campus has good accommodation options to suit different needs, such as spacious, modern living or closeness to campus and the city centre.
The university offers great support around applying for accommodation, too - and current students are happy to offer you advice on which halls may be the best choice for you.
Need more advice?
If you'd like to learn more about the accommodation options available at Cumbria, head over to our Accommodation page. Here you'll find all you need to know about our halls of residence, as well as contact information for our friendly team!
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