The Warwick Accommodation Thread (+Guide in Post#1)

I lived in Westwood, so I'll try and answer as much as I can but I don't know that much about the other halls, apart from what you will have already read.

conscient

Hi everyone,
I'd like some advices from those of you who have experienced some of the halls.
First, I have some expectations regarding to the area in itself :

•

A relatively clean hall (especially when it gets to the bathroom and the kitchen) and be able to breathe. In other words, I'd like to avoid confined rooms and corridors.

•

A quiet place would be good as well, especially at night. Soundproof walls are welcomed as well, since I play the guitar and love music.

•

Not overpopulated kitchens, since I cook a lot !

In Westwood, about 26 people share a kitchen but this is made up for by the kitchens being very large compared to other halls. The kitchens are cleaned every two days but this does mean that no-one cleans up after themselves so the kitchen quickly becomes very messy between the cleaner's visits. The bathroom is generally clean, I haven't had any problems there. Rooms in Westwood are the biggest on campus, I found there was much more space than I needed. However when I looked round Rootes and Jack Martin on an open day, I was happy with he room sizes even though they were smaller.

There is no soundproofing in Westwood, and I imagine other halls wouldn't have it either. If you play music with your door open, the sound generally does carry down much of the corridor, although we got on well and didn't mind listening to each other's music. You can usually get round any problems with unwanted music by closing your door, and anyone else who doesn't want to hear the music closing their door and putting the volume down a bit.

Then about the people :

•

Pleasant community atmosphere : not excessively extrovert hallmates who get drunk each night (I'm not into binge drinking at all), but not introvert and depressing people.

•

I know this is a gamble but I hope to live with some open minded and talkative mates. I like to discuss with people who assume their ideas and critically engage with issues.

Put all this on the part of the form where you write about yourself. Often, they don't put all identical people in one area, there will be a bit of a mix of people.

To sum up my expectations : a peaceful and lively place where people are sociable and open minded.

Now some questions :

•

Which type falt/corridor is the most likely to suit me ?

•

Would AV/JM be better to meet open minded people than LS/HB ? On the other side, is LS/HB as full of introvert international student as sterotypes say ?

I'm not really sure

•

Between Tocil and Westwood which one is the less noisy ? The most recent ? Which one has the largest common areas ?

I don't know about Tocil but to get less noisy areas it's more important to mention this on the application form. The Westwood buildings are quite old, I think they might even be older than the university itself. the area is nice though, with lots of leafy trees everywhere. I found in westwood, we didn't use the common area so much and used the kitchens instead.

•

Same questions with Whitefields and Cryfield.

•

If I put Rootes in 5th position, are my chances not to get Rootes greater than my chances not to get Cryfield/Whitefields ?

I didn't want to get Rootes so what I did was I left it off the form entirely and filled up the lower preferences in the form with other halls.

•

Which non ensuite hall is the most likely to suit me ?

•

Which non ensuite hall (apart from Rootes, which I want to avoid) is the most likely not to suit me ?

Finally, is this ranking coherent with what I've been writing so far ?

1.

Arthur Vick (rather than JM, but not sure)

2.

Lakeside

3.

Tocil

4.

Westwood

5.

Rootes (in order not to get Whitefields or Cryfield, given that I am likely not to be given Rootes)

When I applied, they only let you put down one en-suite hall on the form. Maybe they're changing it this year. I'm not so sure about putting Rootes on the form as that would increase your chances of getting it compared to not putting it down. Maybe you could put another hall entirely in 5th position? Having said that, Westwood is usually undersubscribed, so if you don't get your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices, you'll almost certainly be given Westwood.

I know this is quite long to answer. Many thanks to those of you who would do so.

Reply 2682

screenager2004

14

ttoby

There is no soundproofing in Westwood, and I imagine other halls wouldn't have it either. If you play music with your door open, the sound generally does carry down much of the corridor, although we got on well and didn't mind listening to each other's music.

Oh lord, don't I know it. I was in Hampton and my hall was fine. But my window faced Knightcote and THEY WERE LOUD. (not like 'omg u party animalz' loud, because this was always during the day, they were silent at night, it was just 'annoying' loud) I got woken up a few times by someone playing Eminem/RHCP as loud as he possibly could. I could even hear every lyric, the high-hats and all the highest frequencies across the grass and through my window. That's how loud it was. (Although the halls have since been refurbished with double glazing! so might be quieter)

When summer came There was one girl who sounded like she had a hormonal imbalance SHRIEKING while someone chased her with a watergun, every single day it was sunny, for the last ten weeks.

"OMGOMGOMG NOOO NOO DONN'T! STOP EETT! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

I sound like I'm complaining, but my friends would come over and we'd be sitting in my room and they'd comment on her honking and squealing!

Reply 2683

screenager2004

Oh lord, don't I know it. I was in Hampton and my hall was fine. But my window faced Knightcote and THEY WERE LOUD. (not like 'omg u party animalz' loud, because this was always during the day, they were silent at night, it was just 'annoying' loud) I got woken up a few times by someone playing Eminem/RHCP as loud as he possibly could. I could even hear every lyric, the high-hats and all the highest frequencies across the grass and through my window. That's how loud it was. (Although the halls have since been refurbished with double glazing! so might be quieter)

When summer came There was one girl who sounded like she had a hormonal imbalance SHRIEKING while someone chased her with a watergun, every single day it was sunny, for the last ten weeks.

"OMGOMGOMG NOOO NOO DONN'T! STOP EETT! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

I sound like I'm complaining, but my friends would come over and we'd be sitting in my room and they'd comment on her honking and squealing!

I was actually living in Knightcote over the past year. Sorry. :erm:

I don't think it would have been me making all the noise as I never played music but I do know some people who had very powerful speskers. Did you ever complain to anyone about it? Knowing the people I was with, they would have probably turned it down if you'd asked although being in another building, this would have been harder.

I know we did go outside a lot in the last few weeks of term but I don't remember any waterpistols being used for ten weeks, but then I was on the side of the building facing Loxley.

Reply 2684

screenager2004

14

ttoby

I was actually living in Knightcote over the past year. Sorry. :erm:

I don't think it would have been me making all the noise as I never played music but I do know some people who had very powerful speskers. Did you ever complain to anyone about it? Knowing the people I was with, they would have probably turned it down if you'd asked although being in another building, this would have been harder.

I know we did go outside a lot in the last few weeks of term but I don't remember any waterpistols being used for ten weeks, but then I was on the side of the building facing Loxley.

hehe you don't have to apologise! It definitely sounded like you were having a lot of fun! It's all in good humour at the end of the day. My defining memories were being woken up by someone playing 'Can't Stop' and 'Crack a Bottle'. Did you never hear that?!

Reply 2685

screenager2004

hehe you don't have to apologise! It definitely sounded like you were having a lot of fun! It's all in good humour at the end of the day. My defining memories were being woken up by someone playing 'Can't Stop' and 'Crack a Bottle'. Did you never hear that?!

I didn't hear those ones so much - maybe it might have been the first floor playing it? Up on the second floor, 'Airplanes' was pretty popular.

Reply 2686

natty_d

What sort of thing should I write in the brief description bit?

Reply 2687

natty_d

What sort of thing should I write in the brief description bit?

It's only min. 30 characters..

It gives some examples, e.g. quiet/lively, if you go to bed early or not, add some interests of yours in there and that's enough..

Reply 2688

natty_d

What sort of thing should I write in the brief description bit?

Write about your personality, whether you're noisy or quiet, whether you're very extrovert, any interests you have, the sort of area you'd like to be in, and anything else you want to say about yourself that isn't already mentioned on the form. It's best to be as honest as you can here.

This isn't the same as a personal statement so you're not trying to sell yourself. Also bear in mind that the accommodation you go in (Rootes, Jack Martin etc) will be decided automatically based on your choices and a random ballot. The description you write will determine where abouts your room is in this accommodation.

Reply 2689

jakash

You speak the truth, but I tried following the instructions on a packet once and got no-where!:
http://www.ninjabread.co.uk/b3ta/remove-sleeve-and-film.jpg

Reply 2690

conscient

Hi again,
I didn't get all the answers I was asking for in my previous post but I have been thinking pretty much and I've come up with A BRAND NEW RANKING ! :eek3:

Here it is, but I'm still hesitating about what to put as 1st and 2nd choices : Jack Martin or Heronbank ?

1- JM or HB ?
2- JM or HB ?
3- Tocil
4- Westwood
5- Cryfield

First, I have some expectations regarding the area in itself :

•

A relatively clean hall (especially when it gets to the bathroom and the kitchen) and be able to breathe. In other words, I'd like to avoid confined rooms and corridors.

•

A quiet place, especially at night. Soundproof walls are welcomed as well, since I play the guitar and love music.

•

Not overpopulated kitchens : I cook a lot !

Then about the people :

•

Pleasant community atmosphere : not excessively extrovert hallmates who get drunk each night (I'm not into binge drinking at all), but not introvert, depressing and self-isolating people.

•

I know this is a gamble but I hope to live with some open minded and talkative mates. I like to discuss with people who assume their ideas and critically engage with issues.

To sum up my expectations : a peaceful and lively place where people are sociable and open minded.

Could you guys check the description of myself I've put up there and tell me :

- Which of Jack Martin and Heronbank is the most likely to fit my expectations in terms of the area itself ? in terms of hallmates ?
- Does HB have a pleasant community atmosphere in terms of mind-openness ? I have heard stereotypes about international students who tend to group together and isolate, is this true ? Does the flat system make it really difficult to meet other people from the same hall who you don't live with (postgrads, for example) ?

Many Thanks

Reply 2691

conscient

Hi again,
I didn't get all the answers I was asking for in my previous post but I have been thinking pretty much and I've come up with A BRAND NEW RANKING ! :eek3:

Here it is, but I'm still hesitating about what to put as 1st and 2nd choices : Jack Martin or Heronbank ?

Could you guys check the description of myself I've put there : (

) and tell me :

Many Thanks

I think you're more likely to get Heronbank if you put it as number one, but JM is probably right up your alley in social terms..

You have some thinking to do :holmes:

Reply 2692

Dnator

12

Focus08

It's only min. 30 characters..

It gives some examples, e.g. quiet/lively, if you go to bed early or not, add some interests of yours in there and that's enough..

What did you write?
Is **** at fifa so should not be near Dnator?

Reply 2693

Dnator

What did you write?
Is **** at fifa so should not be near Dnator?

Ok, let's set this straight..

I was beating you on the Xbox... Damn PS3 (that was your idea, btw..)

Reply 2694

Dnator

12

Focus08

Ok, let's set this straight..

I was beating you on the Xbox... Damn PS3 (that was your idea, btw..)

Ok, well we will settle this at my place: 32 inch , xbox ,fifa 11, beer :yep:

Reply 2695

Dnator

Ok, well we will settle this at my place: 32 inch , xbox ,fifa 11, beer :yep:

You're on

Reply 2696

conscient

Hey guys.
Sorry to insist but could someone help me to deal with my choice, as I need to apply today (I'm leaving in the afternoon) ?
Here is what drives me in doubt :

Hi again,
I didn't get all the answers I was asking for in my previous post but I have been thinking pretty much and I've come up with A BRAND NEW RANKING !
Here it is, but I'm still hesitating about what to put as 1st and 2nd choices : Jack Martin or Heronbank ?

1- JM or HB ?
2- JM or HB ?
3- Tocil
4- Westwood
5- Cryfield

First, I have some expectations regarding the area in itself :
A relatively clean hall (especially when it gets to the bathroom and the kitchen) and be able to breathe. In other words, I'd like to avoid confined rooms and corridors.
A quiet place, especially at night. Soundproof walls are welcomed as well, since I play the guitar and love music.
Not overpopulated kitchens : I cook a lot !

Then about the people :
Pleasant community atmosphere : not excessively extrovert hallmates who get drunk each night (I'm not into binge drinking at all), but not introvert, depressing and self-isolating people.
I know this is a gamble but I hope to live with some open minded and talkative mates. I like to discuss with people who assume their ideas and critically engage with issues.

To sum up my expectations : a peaceful and lively place where people are sociable and open minded.

Could you guys check the description of myself I've put up there and tell me :

- Which of Jack Martin and Heronbank is the most likely to fit my expectations in terms of the area itself ? in terms of hallmates ?
- Does HB have a pleasant community atmosphere in terms of mind-openness ? I have heard stereotypes about international students who tend to group together and isolate, is this true ? Does the flat system make it really difficult to meet other people from the same hall who you don't live with (postgrads, for example) ?

Many Thanks

Reply 2697