To all new Fresher’s curious about accommodation: Penny C!

Now i'm a bit worried about your comment

Oh no, please don’t be worried
I think everyone has a different university and hall experience. I was merely told by a few people within the hall that they wanted to socialise more with the other penny C members. They liked there block so much that they grew very strong bonds with the people they were with. Penny C is a union it itself though, wherever you stay there will be groups, whether that’s your floor or block, of tight friends that you grow close to.

One thing I will quickly mention is that it can often be a good thing to have a close bond with your hallies, as you grow confident and can expand your friendship groups with them rather than being thrown in at the deep end alone.

In addition, I deliberated heavily on whether I wanted to take my tv, before I left, but it really is a good idea. You will find that its nice when you are in your room before bed or even just to watch a dvd if you are feeling a little poorly.

It's a lot to fit into a car already (believe me!) without adding unnecessaries like a TV.

Bit of a silly question but are there smoke alarms in each room?
If so how sensitive are they? Just don't want my hair straighteners setting them off!

Some questions I have answered privately and realised they may be useful to others also:

1) How much space is there under the bed?

Under the bed there is a reasonable amount of space, I would estimate it to be about a 30cm ruler in height and then the area of a double bed. I personally stored some big bags (which I took clothes down to Exeter in), a tennis racket, a portable double hob, some shoes and a few shoe boxes under there. Remember that you get three shelves above your study desk (which covers just under half of the wall- depending on your room layout), which are also good for storing books, cutlery, cosmetics and boxes. The top shelf is rather high so if you needed to put extra things which you didn’t want to get in the way, up there would be a good spot.

2) What size towel do they give you?

The towel that they give you is, from what I can remember, a “bath towel”, so not as big as a “bath sheet” but bigger than a “hand towel” (when relating it to my Laura Ashley towels). I would strongly recommend brining some of your own, I had about 4 with me two bigger towels and two smaller ones which were always useful etc – I mainly used the one provided for drying my hands, but of course it is big enough to be used for after a shower etc.

3) Are there enough sockets in the room or should I invest in a multiplug?

In regard to extension leads, I had two (which had 4 sockets in each). The room contains, I think 3 plug points with two sockets in each (so totalling 6), one set beside the bed, another set in the corner of the study desk area and the final set at the other end of the long study desk, almost opposite the wardrobe (which of course has a long mirror in so I guess there is a set there for electrical beauty appliances). The reason why I would advise you to bring at least one extension lead is because they are always handy – for example I would have my laptop, printer and phone on charge all in the same time, in the same little area. It’s much easier to use a hairdryer in front of the mirror also with an extension lead, without straining the cable. In addition if you are bringing down a tv, it’s always handy to be able to plug in a digibox, dvd player and even game stations. But of course its not a necessity.

4) What's the situation with irons? Do we get one per corridor or not at all?

Regarding Irons, I think, (despite never using one as most of my stuff stayed quite un creased, looking back now I’m not too sure why) there is one for every corridor within the kitchen. I know there is most defiantly one in the laundry room – but it is pretty naff. I suppose buying your own may seem a little ott, but I suppose they do them in argos so cheaply that getting one while down there, if in need, wouldn’t be such a big deal.

5) Do we provide our own washing powder for the washing machines?

For the washing machines you do have to provide your own washing powder etc. If you wash as much as I do, I would say stock up on it as it will run out and its rather annoying. Never leave your washing powder in the laundry room as people will just help themselves. I don’t know if you read my tip in the original post about washing, but if you do your laundry in the way I advised, it works a treat. Trust me, if you choose lunchtime to do your washing, you are in for a long wait and a rather annoying experience. If you leave your washing in and go back to your room, always remember to come back within the 40 mins it takes to do a cycle – otherwise people take it upon themselves to remove your clothes, putting them on top of the machine (which is often scattered with washing powder) and then proceed with their own washing.

6) When you arrived, was there anything that you realised you'd not considered when packing and really wished you'd thought about?!

Thinking back now I can’t really remember too many things which I had not remembered and wanted, apart from a bin for the bathroom. It is actually rather essential; I had to perchance one within the first week I arrived. The hall provides you with a bin for your main room (don’t forget bin bags – they provide some but they can be rather naff and you only get one a week), but not one for your loo. Obviously all girls know when that time of the month comes it is convenient to have a bin in the loo. Also I purchased a bath matt for the bathroom – due to it being slightly wet and slippery on the floor after having showers. Stock up on shampoos, conditioners and soap (you don’t realise how quickly you go through them). You may also want to think about bringing some toilet roll as there’s is rather naff. It may sound a little odd, but stock up the cupboard, beside your mini fridge, with staples, canned food, soups, crisps, nuts, tea, biscuits and alcohol (if it tickles your fancy) etc, as you will get hungry. If you bring food and of course some plates and cutlery, remember to bring a few tea towels and fairy liquid! Don’t forget a kettle for your room!
A bedside lamp is always handy, as they don’t provide one of those!
In addition, I deliberated heavily on whether I wanted to take my tv, before I left, but it really is a good idea. You will find that its nice when you are in your room before bed or even just to watch a dvd if you are feeling a little poorly.