Seven things no one ever tells you about uni life

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Transitioning from the comfort of your home into university life can be a big change. The Student Housing Company reveal seven ways in which things will change...

You'll have loads of spare time

Even with all the lectures, seminars, workshops, and exams, you’re unlikely to be required at uni for more than a few hours each day.

Obviously, you should aim to use your free time as wisely as possible (i.e. studying) but there’s no shame in sparing yourself a few hours a day to indulge in the little pleasures in life, like napping and binge-watching three seasons of Celebrity Masterchef (both of which require a comfy setting, so make sure you find a student accommodation that’s fit for those purposes!).

You can do whatever you want

Eat Coco Pops for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Only shower every third day? And do the washing up once a week? That's right, you can do whatever you want to do at uni. We're not saying you should do any of those things... but you can.

You are in charge of your own life. The king of your castle. With no parents to tell you what to do. It's awesome!

But just remember... with great power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely...

You'll become the thief of all thieves

If you don’t have a friend at uni who steals everyone’s food, you’re probably that friend who steals everyone’s food. You’ll be surprised how good a meal you can churn out using ‘borrowed’ ingredients from your flatmates; a handful of pasta here and there, a slice of cheddar, and a squirt of ketchup can make for a delicious and balanced dinner. We’re not saying it’s right, we’re just saying it happens… a lot.

You'll have (next to) no privacy

Sure, you can always retreat to your own room when you need a little space to yourself, but there’s only so much of those four walls one person can endure. So you head to the lounge, but half the time it’s occupied by a bunch of other people.

Your options? Either spend the next three or four years of your life stressing about it, or resign yourself to the lack of privacy and embrace the human interaction. We know which one we’d choose.

Some people have strange music tastes

Here’s a tip to spare you and your flatmates the embarrassment: just because the shower’s running, doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t hear you singing. We can.

You’ll find creative ways to socialise

It’s important to have a social life when you’re at uni and to let your hair down after a long week of studies – it’s proven to be beneficial for your health, happiness, and your self-confidence. It’s also a great way to learn outside the classroom, and as a student, you’ll find plenty of creative ways to socialise.

You're in for a ride

Sometimes you'll be a hot mess, sometimes your (uni) life will feel as though it’s taking a turn for the worse, but other times you'll be meeting new people, experiencing new things, and making memories you’ll treasure for the rest of your life. Truthfully, nothing could really prepare you for your individual uni experience, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

There you have it. A few (of many) things that people don’t tell you before uni. If you’re heading to uni soon, we hope you’re ready to take on all the challenges that are coming your way!

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