Hi there, my fellow King’s Accommodations Residents, I am Sadaf, your Vice President Education at KCLSU and I am back with another exciting but short guide. This time it is all about living in halls and how to make the best out of this unique and fun experience.
Living in Student Accommodations and Residences is an experience, like no other. It’s a lot of flat gossip sessions late at night, all-nighters in Residences’ Study spaces and a lot of Instant noodles for dinner. As someone who has lived in Student Accommodations for 4 years, surely, I have some tips for you to navigate this experience that you will cherish forever.
Don’t Pack Everything! (Please)
My first tip, please I mean PLEASE do not pack everything. I know it can be very tempting to pack your whole life together especially when you are moving out to live on your own, far away from home, but trust me it’s not worth it! The dishwashing liquid you are putting in the bag’s small pocket because ‘how will you go buy one right after getting to your room’ is going to leak on the plane and create a sticky mess. (Not pessimism, I know this from experience). I know you want to pack every instant noodle pack at your house because what if London Noodles don’t taste this good? But what if I told you, you would end up finding everything in this magical city. Every brand will be available somewhere and if not in stores, definitely Amazon. Please pack smart, only the things you know you’ll need and as tempting as it may sound, avoid nostalgia packing!
Flat-mates are your best-mates!
Take it from the girl that found her best friends in student flat, there are no stronger bonds than ones made in flat kitchens. Hence my second residence halls tip is, make an effort to get along with your flat mates. You might have to initiate the conversations a lot of time but once the initial awkwardness is over, the conversations will never end. Make food together, arrange flat parties and try your best to get along with your flat mates!
Clean Rooms Go a Long Way!
Let's face it, nobody's expecting your room to be crystal clear 24/7. But keeping things reasonably clean is key. I swear it makes life way comfier. For the kitchens, make a weekly schedule with your flat mates so you can tackle the mess together, and every time you will be cooking in a clean kitchen!
Everyone Loves Respectful Flat mates!
Residence halls can be cozy, which means your neighbors are closer than you think. Respect the sacred quiet hours - usually, that's evenings and early mornings. And when you're jamming to your favorite tunes or binge-watching the latest series, just keep the volume down. You don't want to be "that" neighbor.
Dive into Hall Shenanigans
You're not alone in this. There are plenty of hall activities and events to dive into. Every Year, King’s Residences do plenty of welcome events, no matter which hall you are in. Make sure you follow your Residence Instagram Page and go to the events to meet new people, have some free pizza and just embrace the Residences Vibe!
Safety First, Superhero!
Know the drill when it comes to safety. Lock your door whenever you're not playing video games or making microwave popcorn. And hey, never let strangers into your hall without the secret handshake – just kidding, but you get the idea!
Self-Care is Not a Myth
In the whirlwind of college life, it's easy to forget self-care. But trust us, it's vital. Eat something other than ramen noodles, get your sweat on, and catch those ZZZs. If the stress monster pays a visit, don't hesitate to seek help – there's no shame in that game!
Celebrate Diversity
College is like a mixtape of life – all sorts of awesome tracks and rhythms. Embrace the diverse backgrounds, interests, and quirks of your fellow residents. You'll learn so much and make some incredible friends along the way.
With that, we are at the end of another blog! Living in Residences is an amazing experience, and I cannot get enough of KCL Residences. Make sure you enjoy it, find a lot of friends and make tons of memories!
Sadaf Abbas Cheema
VP Educations (Arts & Sciences)