American films, TV shows and your Dad’s endless story’s may all influence what you think university is going to be like; whether it’s crummy accommodation, pot noodles for dinner every night or endless alcohol and parties.
However, the likelihood is that the student stereotype you have in your mind is probably very far from the truth! Starting university can be an exciting but nerve-wracking time, more so if you have misconceptions about what life will be like. Check out 5 myths about university debunked.
You Have to Live in Halls First Year
Halls are generally the favoured accommodation for students in the first year as they offer the chance to make friends and settle in, you also benefit from proximity to the university, inclusive bills and usually a cleaning service.
However, some students choose to go straight for privately rented accommodation, and there is nothing to stop you from doing this. Students who choose private accommodation in their first year tend to do so when they already know a group of people, want more space, more privacy and more independence.
If you’re unsure about which would best suit you, take a look at our blog on what to consider when choosing your university accommodation.
All Student Accommodation is Poor Quality
Whether it’s mouldy walls or old-fashioned bunks beds, many assume that university accommodation is of poor quality. Whilst this may have been true in the past, student housing has come a long way and you will find that large open spaces, private bedrooms with desks and clean facilities are the standard now.
At Bristol Digs, the majority of our properties feature double beds, dishwasher, washing machine and good-sized living rooms as standard. Additionally, we have now graded our properties for students who may be looking for a bit more out of their property, with ‘premium’ and ‘premium plus’ properties available.
To qualify as a premium property, the property must have 2 or more of the following:
- Broadband or an all-inclusive element to utilities.
- Washing machine.
- Flat-screen TV in the living area or bedrooms.
- High spec, space-saving furniture.
When arranging property viewings with Digs, we will tailor which properties we show you based on your requirements.
You’ll Come Back Unhealthier than You Left
Adjusting to your new life at university can take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing, but it certainly doesn’t have to. Here are a few of our top tips for looking after your health at university:
- Avoid takeaway temptation! These will impact your bank as much as your belly.
- Cook healthy bulk meals with flatmates, this will also save you money.
- Consider walking or cycling to the university.
- Ensure you are getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
- Consider joining the gym or picking up a regular exercise routine.
- Don’t neglect your mental wellbeing, know where you can get support if you need it.
Take a look at our guide to eating and staying healthy whilst at university for more information.
You Have to Drink & Go Clubbing to Enjoy Uni
A widely believed myth about university is that you must drink excessively and go out clubbing regularly to make friends and have a good time. Whilst you may enjoy a night out from time to time, clubbing and drinking aren’t for everyone and there are plenty of other ways to enjoy your time at university. Check out our alternative guide to nightlife for more information.
Additionally, you’ll find that your hobbies are more than catered for at university through societies (regardless of how unique your hobby is), these are a great way to meet likeminded people and continue enjoying sports and other activities whilst studying.
Part-Time Work Can Impact Your Results
Many students take on part-time work whilst at university to make some additional money and supplement some of that student loan. Whilst it’s often claimed (sometimes by universities themselves) that taking on a part-time job can negatively impact your results, finding the right balance can make it a great way to make money at university without impacting your results.
Here are our top tips for balancing your university studies with a part-time job at university:
- Find the right work-life balance.
- Don’t overcommit.
- Make sure that your employer knows you are a student.
- Take on fewer hours when you have deadlines coming up.
- Ensure the working hours aren’t unsociable.
- If the job starts to impact your studies, speak to your employer.
Hassle-Free Accommodation for Bristol Students
At Bristol Digs, we take the confusion out of finding housing whilst at university. For more information about our available properties, or to organise a viewing, view our property list or give one of our team a call today on 0117 930 8750.
