The First Year Of University Is Important For Everyone

Moving to University is a huge process for everyone involved.

Despite the increase in tuition fees causing the amount of applications to university to fall there are still hundreds of thousands of people applying to study in the UK. Many of these students come from abroad and being at university will be their first time living in another country. For UK born students, going to university might be their first time living away from home. Mothers can often be seen crying outside university accommodation on the first day students move in as they say goodbye to their sons and daughters. The first year of university is very important for every student and every student should try and make the most of it.

In first year, most students move into university provided accommodation. While this has benefits, such as living with other people who are in first year and making friends, it also has drawbacks. In 2011, The University of Sheffield could not provide for all of the first year students with many students left ‘homeless’ in Sheffield. This was particularly terrifying for international students who could not simply go home and wait until the situation was sorted; many had to pay for hotels while alternative arrangements were made.

One of the benefits of organising living in a house before you go to university is that you know you are guaranteed a place to live when you arrive. If you can view the house beforehand, you will be able to find a house that you like that is much nicer than the impersonal university accommodation. Many Sheffield student houses are a lot closer to University buildings than university owned accommodation which can be a big help in first year if you do not know your way around, so don’t be too worried if halls are full!

First year is important because you meet a lot of new people who may become your friends for life. Moving into a house with people allows you to spend a lot of time with them, cooking with them and socialising with them as well as other students on your street. Areas like Crookesmoor in Sheffield are predominantly student areas and every pub is usually full of students so there is always someone to talk to.

If you do not want to live in university owned accommodation because of the cost or the noise that occurs during the first year, there are other alternatives. Living in a shared house allows you to be more independent straight away and feels more like settling into a new home then living in a small flat by yourself for a year.