Should I live at home or uni

Totally!
You'll meet people during your course, when studying; if your assignments require you to do group work.
As well, on social media you can find groups with students in that attend your university that you can socialise with
You'll still be able to go out with friends and stuff even if you don't live there.

I am starting uni this September and am currently thinking of staying at home and commuting to uni because my student loan barely covers the yearly residential fee so it would be very difficult to pay for everything.
Would I still be able to socialise and connect with people if I am not living in the uni halls?
I am thinking of joining clubs and societies (so far I have seen 2 that I am interested in) so maybe this would help me find people to socialise with. Also I can still make friends with people on my course. I am just worried that I would not be able to live a good uni life if I am commuting to uni and staying at home.

Hi, I hope you are doing well,
Many students commute from home to University rather than staying in halls so don't worry about feeling like you are the only one! There are so many ways to make friends and whilst there is a big emphasis on nights out during Freshers week, that dies down quickly in terms of a ways to socialise when lessons start. Societies, course mates, online, non-clubbing related activities etc. are all great ways to make friends and make the most at your time at University. Don't worry about what you think you have to do or what University looks like online, do what makes you happy because that is the point of University, doing what you want to do. There are so many ways for you to enjoy your time at University that it doesn't matter where you live.
Well done for getting into University and I'm sure you will have a fabulous time!
All the best,
Daniel
University of Portsmouth Student Rep

I am starting uni this September and am currently thinking of staying at home and commuting to uni because my student loan barely covers the yearly residential fee so it would be very difficult to pay for everything.
Would I still be able to socialise and connect with people if I am not living in the uni halls?
I am thinking of joining clubs and societies (so far I have seen 2 that I am interested in) so maybe this would help me find people to socialise with. Also I can still make friends with people on my course. I am just worried that I would not be able to live a good uni life if I am commuting to uni and staying at home.

Hey 👋
Quite a few of my friends commuted at university and they definitely didn't miss out so there will be lots of opportunity to meet new people and socialise without living in halls! You'll meet people on your course, we often went for a coffee or group study session after our seminars. Plus through people on my course I then met their friends and housemates which gave a nice expanded circle. And it sounds like you already have a good idea of societies to join which are a great way of meeting people with similar interests. I'd also see if there were any other events happening, I know at university throughout the year different clubs and sports would run 'give it a go sessions' where you didn't have to be a member, you could just turn up. It was always great to try out new things! And the students union always had different things going on every day, plus opportunities like volunteering so definitely lots of ways to connect with people.
I'd say see what works for you ultimately. One of my friends lived at home in first year, then applied for halls in second year because he wanted to be closer to campus, the library and study facilities without worrying about getting the last bus home etc if he wanted to stay after lectures or society events. Have a look at the accommodation options and what options there would be if you decided you'd like to live in halls 🙂
I hope you have an amazing university experience, what will you be studying? It's an exciting time! I wish you the best
Jennie

I am starting uni this September and am currently thinking of staying at home and commuting to uni because my student loan barely covers the yearly residential fee so it would be very difficult to pay for everything.
Would I still be able to socialise and connect with people if I am not living in the uni halls?
I am thinking of joining clubs and societies (so far I have seen 2 that I am interested in) so maybe this would help me find people to socialise with. Also I can still make friends with people on my course. I am just worried that I would not be able to live a good uni life if I am commuting to uni and staying at home.

Definitely! My recommendation would be to join a club or society so you can socialise that way- they hold regular social events and the training/sessions are a good way to meet people with similar interests already in place. You'll always make friends on your course too.

I am starting uni this September and am currently thinking of staying at home and commuting to uni because my student loan barely covers the yearly residential fee so it would be very difficult to pay for everything.
Would I still be able to socialise and connect with people if I am not living in the uni halls?
I am thinking of joining clubs and societies (so far I have seen 2 that I am interested in) so maybe this would help me find people to socialise with. Also I can still make friends with people on my course. I am just worried that I would not be able to live a good uni life if I am commuting to uni and staying at home.

Hi @soaring-armour,
I see you have decided to live at university instead!
I just want to add that if you don't end up being able to move into the accommodation then you will still be able to socialise if you commute. My partner commutes to university and he has had an excellent time as he still attends events with the societies he is in and goes out with the people on his course. Societies are an excellent way to make friends as the overall goal is to bring together like-minded people, so I wouldn't be concerned at all with making friends!
I see you are concerned about getting your maintenance loan and accommodation. There may be no way to decrease the time it takes to change your details for a bigger loan, however you could find ways other ways to sort your accommodation. There will likely be spaces available, however if you don't seem to get a place/ an accommodation you want, then I highly recommend checking out the private halls available in the area. I moved into to private halls my first year and it's been excellent, however remember to check the reviews!
I hope this helps, goodluck for university,
-Sophia (Business and Management)

I am starting uni this September and am currently thinking of staying at home and commuting to uni because my student loan barely covers the yearly residential fee so it would be very difficult to pay for everything.
Would I still be able to socialise and connect with people if I am not living in the uni halls?
I am thinking of joining clubs and societies (so far I have seen 2 that I am interested in) so maybe this would help me find people to socialise with. Also I can still make friends with people on my course. I am just worried that I would not be able to live a good uni life if I am commuting to uni and staying at home.