My Experience of Living in University Accommodation

Living in university accommodation was a fantastic experience and memorable part of my university journey, filled with new challenges, lots of independence and lasting friendships. When I came to study Geography with a Year Abroad at the University of Chester, I lived in Astbury House in my first year, and thought I’d share my experience and some things that helped me decide where to live.

Exploring My Options

When choosing a place to live, I had to consider the most important things to me:

• I knew I wanted an en-suite – which is included in most of the university accommodation options at Chester – as privacy and the ability to create my own routine without worrying about others was important to me.
• Sufficient space and storage was also important; I was moving far from home and needed to be able to store my things and keep my space clean.
• Living on campus or nearby was also essential, as I wanted to be close to everything going on, be able to socialise easily, and also be able to access other places across Chester quickly.

For my parents, catered accommodation was a top choice as it provided peace of mind for them. For me, it seemed like an extremely convenient choice, especially as it meant I wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of groceries or spend time cooking. I could just focus on settling into university life.

Living in University Accommodation

As expected, I was extremely nervous about moving to university. It’s so easy to think about everything that could go wrong, but I aimed to stay optimistic and hopeful, and that is exactly what ended up happening!

I really enjoyed my time spent living in Astbury House. The first few weeks spent socialising in the common room helped me to meet people I am still friends with now. The dining hall provided a range of food with good portions, and having my meals there was a great way to meet new people and celebrate holidays with themed meals. Being on campus meant that I was close to my lectures, a short walk away from the city centre and able to attend lots of events; I felt like I was truly a part of the university community that Chester offers.

There was really no better place for me in my first year, and I would absolutely choose to live there again.

My Top Tips When Choosing Accommodation

• Consider your non-negotiables; whether this is an en-suite or the proximity to campus, anything helps to narrow down the wide variety of options here at Chester.
• Think about your budget! Accommodation options at Chester cover a range of budgets, so whatever yours is, there is something for you.
• Contact the Accommodation team. There is a fantastic Accommodation team here on campus and online to support you, so do reach out if you have any questions.
• Don’t worry! Wherever you do end up living, feel reassured that you can make it your new home.

If you’d like to take a closer look at the wide variety of accommodation options available, be sure to take a look on the University of Chester website and book on to an Open Day.