[bestie]

In halls your all in the same situation and it's the place where your most likely to make most of your close friends. There are impromptu social events that you'd miss out on.

I'm a post-grad so have seen 4-years of people go by, and most of the people who end up living with partners during uni become very isolated very quickly.

Also it's hard to think about but what if you break up?

By all means live with him 2nd and 3rd year and commute but do your first year in halls. I did this (though wasn't living with my partner) and I did find that no matter how much effort you put in your social life at uni drops. For example, everyones off clubbing into the early hours, you can't easily get home afterwards. Sleeping on a friends floor only works so many times, especially if you have a 9am lecture the next morning.

[ciderxwithxrosie]

Does anyone have experience of NOT moving out in first year but living round the corner/2 minutes away from halls? Was it easy to make friends/did you feel you could hang around there?

Basically, I've had a change of heart about my uni and I'm about 80% sure I'm going to get my firm to reject me (although I'm pretty positive I'd have missed the grades anyway) so I'll be at my insurance, which is my home town. Naturally I wasn't expecting to do this so I've not applied for student accommodation and planned to live at home for the first year/until I could get in a student house with friends. I actually live literally two or three minute away from the big student village, I mean literally a few minutes, so personally I never saw the point of moving out for my first year (I'm definitely student housing in my second and third year because I can't wait to live on my own two feet!)

However, despite being so close to around 3000 students, I've started to feel like I might struggle to make really close friends who I'd want to moev in a house with next year, despite being very social, friendly, up for a lot of things and out a lot of the time, because I'm not actually living with them. This is what is stopping me from ringing up Sheffield and cancelling them today - because if I went there, I would be moving out and have the "proper" (note the airquotes) university experience. However, I also feel that I'm picking Hull over Sheffield because of the overall experience instead of just the first year excitement of meeting new people, which isn't guaranteed anyway, and because I fear the risk of being put with dickheads and not making many friends anyway. Plus, I really like the student houses in Hull! Maybe I should just let my results decide, eeeh :s

Has anyone been in a similar situation, living right around the corner from halls and didn't move?

[Mick876]

I choose to move away from my home town. If i had went to Northumbria University i would of lived at home as i would of not been eligible for a Student flat due to my location. And i just felt if you are not living there you are going to find it much harder to mix, because you will only be there for the classes, and well... you don't have much time for a chit chat during a lecture do you? lol

Plus i took the advice of my cousins who moved away for Uni, who had told me that those who lived at home were treat different, they were kinda outsiders. So thats the reason i choose to move away to Edinburgh. 90% of your Uni experience will be out side the class room.

[Sarurrr]

Gutted, I don't think I'm eligible for accommodation as I miss out but two miles... They take people who live 18+ miles, I only live 16 miles away. They haven't emailed me to tell me if I'm eligible yet and its getting silly. It's the only accommodation I can afford if I do move out

Jealous of everyone who can live in halls!

[TheSownRose]

(Original post by Sarurrr)
Gutted, I don't think I'm eligible for accommodation as I miss out but two miles... They take people who live 18+ miles, I only live 16 miles away. They haven't emailed me to tell me if I'm eligible yet and its getting silly. It's the only accommodation I can afford if I do move out

Jealous of everyone who can live in halls!

I only live about 16 miles from my uni. Depending on the route you have to take (direct drive vs. bus that slowly makes its way through all the villages, for example), it's still pretty close and shouldn't make much of a difference to you.

[Sarurrr]

(Original post by TheSownRose)
I only live about 16 miles from my uni. Depending on the route you have to take (direct drive vs. bus that slowly makes its way through all the villages, for example), it's still pretty close and shouldn't make much of a difference to you.

Would they bother to check those things though? It would take me 40 minutes to get to the city centre alone, and then a bus to the other campus since its split into two. Would they take into account that I live 17 miles away from the actual campus I'd be attending lectures at?

I should maybe give them a call or something.

[TheSownRose]

(Original post by Sarurrr)
Would they bother to check those things though? It would take me 40 minutes to get to the city centre alone, and then a bus to the other campus since its split into two. Would they take into account that I live 17 miles away from the actual campus I'd be attending lectures at?

I should maybe give them a call or something.

I was saying that living at home that close shouldn't make much difference depending on time, and we're talking about different unis ... but yeah, if you tell them that extra information, it might be taken into account.

Unis with distance regulations seem to operate on the notion that the shorter the distance, the easier the journey. Not true. I live about fifteen miles and a twenty minute bus ride away. My friend lives about seven miles and an hour and half bus ride away.

[ch0llima]

Halls, it's a no-brainer if you can afford it. In fact, when my brother went to Cambridge, living in halls was compulsory for first year undergrads.

Everyone I know who've lived at home, full time, for University has suffered as a result:

1. A lot of them have lower grades - too many distractions at home and an element of "I live at home, I shouldn't have to work". You can sit in halls working hard in the evening and they'll just be watching TV, University for them is like a job/day at school and not a lifestyle as it is for the rest of us
2. They have essentially no friends outside of the course
3. Their social interaction is limited - I hardly knew any of them to join societies or partake in sports, or even come to the Union of an evening
4. Their independence and life skills were limited - many can't cook or operate a washing machine
5. Their lives didn't change one bit. Might as well have stayed at school for another four years.

Quite frankly, living at home permanently (living away during term time and going home for holidays doesn't count) at that age is pathetic and you miss out on so much. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but it's true, and just about anyone who has ever lived in halls will tell you something similar.

I was working on my final year Honours project at home over the Christmas holidays, and having to work while at home did my head in. It was all "Hoover downstairs", "Walk the dog", "Clear the snow off the drive", "Can you just go out and get such and such for me" etc. etc., so the work suffered and I didn't achieve as much as I should have done. My friends who live at home say this is how it is permanently for them, and they moan and moan but still refuse to move out even though none of them are remotely poor.

If you're worried about the money, only do it for one year then move home. That's respectable, and you'll meet a load of new people and will have at least had the experience. There's more I could add to this, but I don't think it's necessary.

[TheSownRose]

(Original post by ch0llima)
Their lives didn't change one bit. Might as well have stayed at school for another four years.

Quite frankly, living at home permanently (living away during term time and going home for holidays doesn't count) at that age is pathetic and you miss out on so much.

Here's a thought: maybe they were happy at home. Why should you change your life just because you can? If the life you have works for you and is viable and you're happy to keep it, I don't see why it's a problem that their lives didn't change.

My father lived with my parents until he was about twenty-six, and even then he only moved out to live with my mother because she had central heating. His life doesn't seem to have gone badly.

Beyond that, I never really understood why people who live in halls have some superiority complex over people who don't, and feel the need to criticise their choice and explain why they've made the wrong one. You don't see people living at home doing the same.

[ch0llima]

(Original post by TheSownRose)
Here's a thought: maybe they were happy at home. Why should you change your life just because you can? If the life you have works for you and is viable and you're happy to keep it, I don't see why it's a problem that their lives didn't change.

I don't think you read my post properly. I did say those I knew who lived at home were usually moaning about it, and one guy in particular was going "I can't wait to move out" - his parents could afford it (dad's a GP earning £110k), he couldn't, and they refused to pay so he was stuck. Never a day went by without at least somebody moaning about some aspect of their home life. I also had disagreements with some of my flatmates while living away. It works both ways.

Point taken, however.

My father lived with my parents until he was about twenty-six, and even then he only moved out to live with my mother because she had central heating. His life doesn't seem to have gone badly.

I never said that your life was a total write-off or would go badly if you live at home until a certain age. You are generalising and taking what I said out of context. I said that I knew people who had suffered academically and socially as a result of living at home, but if it is genuinely down to choice then I respect their decision.

Beyond that, I never really understood why people who live in halls have some superiority complex over people who don't

I don't - I merely think it's a good idea and have backed up my opinion with what I have seen in other people who do live at home. Again, generalising.

and feel the need to criticise their choice and explain why they've made the wrong one. You don't see people living at home doing the same.

I'm not criticising. Again, it's from my own observations and some of "my" opinions actually came from some of the people I comment on.

[susie-q2401]

I was so happy in halls first year, I would recommend it to anyone. I think i would have missed out on the whole experience of making friends, and getting really close to people if I wasn't there.

[ch1stnut1]

I was in halls in the first term of my first year and absolutely hated it. I moved back home and things were much better. And i'm staying at home next year too (second year). It might be different because i'm at a london uni (UCL), and a lot of people are at home, but it really doesn't affect me much (apart from the fact i'm happier!).
My course is intensive, so i spend pretty much all day every day (weekdays) in uni, and have lunch/work in free hours with people on my course. Then i'm very active in a society which operates pretty much every day, so i'm pretty involved with that.
I do have to say, my best friend from uni is on my course, but i did meet her in halls, and there are a couple of people from halls that i'm still friends with now, but there are definitely plenty of people i know who have lived at home from the start and still have lots of friends/a social life/even *shock* a bit of independence. So, you know, it can be done
Hope that helps! Any other questions feel free to PM me

[amy-jayne]

I put in for halls, but Im thinking of backing out in the cooling period, I have a bad feeling about it, that I won't enjoy it. Would it be a big mistake, I live about 50 minutes away from the uni (same distance as my college was, and i had no problems there), on weekends I could get a taxi and a nightbus home, weekdays would be more difficult.
I'm really torn and don't know what to do!

And after reading previous posts, I have independance already, I get on really well with my mum, so im not like most people who cant wait to leave home. I can already cook, work a washing machine etc, in fact I cook most of the meals at home.

The fact that I dont really go out (to clubs/pubs) a lot, also puts me off, I dont enjoy drinking that much, and seeing as thats one of the main points of living in halls, it would be pointless?

[Tiddlywinks]

Students tend to go out in the week tbh, I do think it might be worth giving it a go.

[Roxy Baroque]

I enjoyed living in halls - but found most of my friends through societies and on my course. I'd live with the bf!

[ElephantJews]

(Original post by bubblerawk)
i spent two years in halls and i will just say i wouldnt recommend it to anyone
most people you find at university will NOT get on with their flat mates, its very rare that will.
its cheaper to live at home, im in so much debt at the moment i live in a house with my bf which is great but i cant afford it and ive got another year left.

Someone had a bad experience... jesus
If you spent two years in halls, i'm guessing you couldnt find people to move out with in your second year. Ima just saying, seems odd.

[Ronar]

(Original post by amy-jayne)
I put in for halls, but Im thinking of backing out in the cooling period, I have a bad feeling about it, that I won't enjoy it. Would it be a big mistake, I live about 50 minutes away from the uni (same distance as my college was, and i had no problems there), on weekends I could get a taxi and a nightbus home, weekdays would be more difficult.
I'm really torn and don't know what to do!

And after reading previous posts, I have independance already, I get on really well with my mum, so im not like most people who cant wait to leave home. I can already cook, work a washing machine etc, in fact I cook most of the meals at home.

The fact that I dont really go out (to clubs/pubs) a lot, also puts me off, I dont enjoy drinking that much, and seeing as thats one of the main points of living in halls, it would be pointless?

No, it's not pointless making friends and living away from family

You might get on great with your mum but its not the same as being in halls trust me

Give it a go, you only get one chance at it

[Sir_Vile_Minds]

Living in halls and just got in contact with my next door neighbour on Facebook

[da_comeback]

LIVE IN HALLS FOR THE EXPIERIENCE OR YOU WILL REGRET IT LIKE ME

Read mine its what you will be doing if you dont watch out

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/show...3#post27143023

[shaniceee29]

(Original post by DCDJ18)
If you're OK being a shy, reclusive and generally anti-social weirdo who either has to leave early to get a train home, stay sober and drive home, or get a taxi far away from all the other students, then stay at home. You will end up with lots of money at the end of this, but you will have no-one to spend it on aside from yourself.

Going in Halls and being really close to everyone else is part of being a student, and it's well worth the expense. Easiest way to make friends is being forced to live close to them, and drawbacks in terms of responsibilities (oh no, I need to cook for myself, what is this, independence?) can be resolved by growing a pair and being an adult.

i second that! hate it when people cry about doing stuff for themselves :|