Which is better, catered or self-catered?
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Re: Which is better, catered or self-catered?I have done both, and I massively prefer catered. I know it can be an arse not being able to cook what you want and when but the meal times do add stability to your day and they're so much more sociable than self catered halls. Plus no washing up
Although, some unis have awful catered food, but it's better than having pizza all the time!
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Re: Which is better, catered or self-catered?I'm catered, and i'd definitely reccommend it in your first year. With all the hassle of trying to get settled, it's just one less thing to worry about it. At least you know you can always rely on a hot meal every day with no effort required. However, it's all down to the individual; I know other people who have enjoyed a bit more independence.
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Re: Which is better, catered or self-catered?I was catered for the first few weeks of uni and after that transferred into self catered. Catered is usually more expensive and depending on the hall the meal times can be pretty strict, like for example where I was breakfast was 7:30-8:30, so if you wanted a lie-in you didn't get breakfast (which you paid for). I've heard some other unis have breakfast until like 10:30 or something though which is much more reasonable. Tbh I don't think catered saves you that much time, at least in my hall queuing took ages as everybody wanted food at the same time. I don't think it is that much more sociable either, usually when you've made friends you'll just go to dinner with them, it's not like you sit with a new person every time.
The food was pretty good and we had 3 options every day so there was always something you could eat.
I think you get a better communal feel in self catered, usually there's someone hanging out in the kitchen when you cook so you can just chat etc and basically if you go out for dinner you don't have to pay for food you don't eat as well.
Although, some unis have awful catered food, but it's better than having pizza all the time!
