H1: Types of Student Accommodation
The kind of student accommodation that you choose is going to have a major impact on your overall experience. The years which you spend at university are about growing as a person, educating yourself and most importantly learning more about being social and making friends. With this in mind, it is important that you have the right kind of accommodation to support you in these endeavors. There are options that you will have before you when selecting student accommodation, and here are the types which you will be able to choose between.
Residential College
Not all universities have a residential college option but there are many which do, and they get full up pretty quickly. This is an all-encompassing approach to student life, which will see you stay on-campus, right at the heart of the action. Those who stay in residential colleges have all of their meals provided —which of course is built into the cost. Additionally you can count on plenty of support and programs aimed at students staying in this type of student accommodation.
Student Dorms on Campus
The large majority of first year students stay on campus in halls of residence, but they are not exclusively for first years. These are basic rooms which you will have to yourself, featuring a bed and a desk for study. You can decorate your room as you wish and there are shared cooking facilities which you can utilize. Dorms are the lowest cost option which will ensure that you are close to other students, ideal for those looking to maximise the social side of their stay at university.
Private Student Accommodation
In many cities where there are universities you will find a number of private apartments and shared houses, which are solely for other students. We often see this kind of student accommodation used by those in their 2nd or 3rd year, and sharing with other students really enhances university life. Financially you can share bills and household items with fellow students, who may even be some friends which you have made during your time at uni.
Private Accommodation
And finally there is always the option of staying in private accommodation in the city nearby the university. These however are not solely dedicated to students so if you are sharing accommodation you may be rooming with both students and fellow professionals. Additionally you could stay in private accommodation on your own, which will give you absolute freedom whilst you study and live in the city of your choice. This is the most expensive option on the list, but it could be an option for you depending on what your personal situation is.
There are of course pros and cons to each type of student accommodation and you will need to weigh up exactly what it is that you are looking for during your time at university. Remember that any choice which you do make will only be for the duration of one year at university, and you can always look to change for the following year should you wish to stay in a different type of environment.
