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Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh

Self-catered flat survival?

I've just gotten my accommodation offer from Edinburgh for next semester and I didn't manage to get anything in the catered halls in Pollock, which I was aiming for (I'm in Deaconess). My issue is I have severe issues socialising (I'm autistic) and I'm afraid I'll never be able to use the shared kitchen. If your advice is going to be 'you won't know until you try it', there's precedence for me behaving like this. I studied over the summer in Ireland at a self catered residence for 2 weeks and I literally went out and bought 14 microwave meals and ate one of those a day to avoid having to go downstairs and cook in front of my flatmates. I know you're not allowed to have mini fridges/microwaves in your bedroom in Deaconess. Any advice for not starving next semester?
A lot of unis I've visited for open days and the one I'm at now have all said the same thing. You and your flatmates will have different schedules so it's very unlikely you'll actually be cooking at the same time. I've been at uni almost 2 months now and only 2-3 times have I been cooking at the same time as them.
Student at University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Original post by calicoadams
I've just gotten my accommodation offer from Edinburgh for next semester and I didn't manage to get anything in the catered halls in Pollock, which I was aiming for (I'm in Deaconess). My issue is I have severe issues socialising (I'm autistic) and I'm afraid I'll never be able to use the shared kitchen. If your advice is going to be 'you won't know until you try it', there's precedence for me behaving like this. I studied over the summer in Ireland at a self catered residence for 2 weeks and I literally went out and bought 14 microwave meals and ate one of those a day to avoid having to go downstairs and cook in front of my flatmates. I know you're not allowed to have mini fridges/microwaves in your bedroom in Deaconess. Any advice for not starving next semester?


Chances are on some days you might have no lectures (or maybe just 1). This means you'll have a fair chunk of time free when your flatmates are out at uni. This means you should have 1-2 hrs free to spend in the kitchen, undisturbed and be able to batch cook the rest of your week's meals.

That's what I do each week, mainly to save time (and washing up).

I'm also at Edinburgh (I'm near Pollock/Deaconess). A lot of people miss out on Pollock halls, but it isn't really a big deal.
Original post by calicoadams
I've just gotten my accommodation offer from Edinburgh for next semester and I didn't manage to get anything in the catered halls in Pollock, which I was aiming for (I'm in Deaconess). My issue is I have severe issues socialising (I'm autistic) and I'm afraid I'll never be able to use the shared kitchen. If your advice is going to be 'you won't know until you try it', there's precedence for me behaving like this. I studied over the summer in Ireland at a self catered residence for 2 weeks and I literally went out and bought 14 microwave meals and ate one of those a day to avoid having to go downstairs and cook in front of my flatmates. I know you're not allowed to have mini fridges/microwaves in your bedroom in Deaconess. Any advice for not starving next semester?


Presuming you can't live on microwave meals forever and can't switch to catered...

1. Cook at times where other people are unlikely to cook or be in the kitchen. For my flat, this tends to be around 7am, after 10am, after 1pm, 4-5pm as well as after 7:30pm. This, however, is a bit of an evasion tactic (and won't necessarily fit around your schedule), and although a decent coping mechanism it isn't the best solution by any means.
2. Use the kitchen, but don't feel like you have to make small talk. It depends on who you are with but most of the time if you keep to yourself no one is going to force you into a conversation (and as people said it is unlikely you would encounter them).
3. Speak to your disability support team (they usually have email if this is easier), explain the situation with regards to self-catering and see what they can do to help you. They might be able to give you access to another catering area and at the very least will have good advice as relates to your situation.
(edited 6 years ago)
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Avatar for leah2704
leah2704
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I'm currently at uni, in self catered halls and honestly it's amazing. We all cook together but i know some flats who rarley see each other because of their timetables. Honestly, it's down to you, if you want to cook alone then there will probably time to do it, depending on your flat. Hope this helps.
Original post by leah2704
I'm currently at uni, in self catered halls and honestly it's amazing. We all cook together but i know some flats who rarley see each other because of their timetables. Honestly, it's down to you, if you want to cook alone then there will probably time to do it, depending on your flat. Hope this helps.


If you were really desperate you could honestly batch cook for several days at say 10pm (that's when I get home from work and it's deadly quiet in halls) and unless they were having a party (which they would I hope warn you about) no one is going to go in the kitchen.
Original post by auburnstar
If you were really desperate you could honestly batch cook for several days at say 10pm (that's when I get home from work and it's deadly quiet in halls) and unless they were having a party (which they would I hope warn you about) no one is going to go in the kitchen.


Late-night cooking with the television on is always nice :wink:

PRSOM

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