Living in Harmony: Top Tips for Shared Living at Uni
Moving into your new uni home?
We've gathered up our best advice and brilliant tips to make sharing a house, flat or halls that bit easier...
Ready to take off on your university adventure? With newfound freedom and independence calling, the reality of sharing accommodation with complete strangers can be a little daunting. Will the cleaning schedule sync seamlessly? Who will finish the last drop of milk with a playful facade of innocence?
We understand that shared living can be a real rollercoaster ride, and that’s why we’re here to put your mind at ease. Welcome to your go-to guide for tips and tricks to ensure your shared living experience is smooth sailing.
Respect the routines
Uni life can be hectic. With studies, part-time jobs, and those all-important social lives to contend with, a key tip for harmonious living is respecting your house mates and their schedules.
Top tip 1: Get in sync
First things first, keep it simple and pop a wall planner or a whiteboard up in a communal space. This is a great way to keep track of important projects, coursework and exams for everyone you're sharing a home with, as well as holidays, nights out and birthdays too! You could also share a digital diary among your housemates, if you felt like it was useful - this can be a handy way of tracking reminders about bills, too.
Top tip 2: Noise control
If you know someone has a 9am lecture, or an early morning shift, maybe try to keep the noise down at night. You could even establish quiet hours during busy study periods. If you're an early bird, why not prep your breakfast the night before so there's no need to try and creep about the kitchen - pop overnight oats in a lunchbox for a cheap, quick and nutritious start to your day. The same applies for night owls - do your meal prep in advance and then all you have to do is grab the container from the fridge, and reheat - it's perfect if you're a little worse for wear at the end of a night, too. If you iron out your routines at the beginning and get in sync, you won’t have to wait for a fallout over blaring music at 3am...
Communication
Open and effective communication is key. Whether that’s having a polite conversation with a flat mate about something you’re unhappy with or just letting the group chat know you’re out of washing-up liquid. Honest and respectful discussions can resolve conflicts and help build respectful relationships.
Top tip 3: Flat meetings
Schedule flat meetings to address any concerns, discuss household matters, and celebrate achievements. This is a good opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and feelings openly. Make it a social event by grabbing a takeaway and enjoying a floor-picnic with a few drinks.
Top tip 4: Group chat
It's a no-brainer. Having a group chat allows you to quickly let your flat mates know if you’re having guests over, if you’ve run out of something, or if the tomato pasta that’s been out on the side a little too long needs clearing up.
Your Personal Space
Regardless of how much you get along with your flat mates, everyone needs their own space from time to time. That's why it can be so helpful for your room to really feel like home: it's a place you can decorate however you like with all the things you love. Use peg boards or pin boards to put up postcards, pictures, notes and more - plus hang frames from command strips to keep the walls intact. When your uni room feels like somewhere you can be yourself, it's easier to spend time there, studying, socialising or simply relaxing. When it comes to the rest of the house though you should try and remember the two golden rules:
Top tip 5: Knock before entering
It’s polite to knock before walking into someone’s room. If they spend a lot of time with their door closed, they might value having their own space and want privacy, so try not to bother them too much. Try your best to read the situation and be mindful of everyone's preferences.
Top tip 6: R-e-s-p-e-c-t!
Try to keep common areas tidy and organised. If you’re using someone else’s belongings, ask for permission first and always remember to return!
Join The Clean Team
Let's face it: living in a grimy shared space is the perfect setting for arguments about who should be doing what. It's easier on everyone if you can keep on top of things from the very start. So, set yourself up for success with a proper cleaning kit - purchased from a shared pot - and a rota for who should do what, when. It might sound boring, but it's a surefire way to keep things calm at home. Some good tips to remember are:
Top tip 7: Cleaning up after yourself
Don't hesitate to take responsibility for your mess and clean up after yourself. It may sound simple, but it goes a long way in maintaining a positive atmosphere.
Top tip 8: Patience and kindness will go a long way
No one likes it when someone doesn’t pull their weight, so try to make sure things such as cleaning or buying loo roll are split as equally as possible. However, try to recognise that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Be patient and offer help when needed, understanding that you'll need their support in return at some point.
Don't forget the fun!
Spending time with your flatmates or housemates is can help build a sense of community - and it should be loads of fun, too! If you're meeting your new household for the first time - for example if you're moving into halls - why not host a housewarming, complete with your signature cocktail and some party decorations, too. If you're moving into a new house or flat with people you already know, get a planner up on the wall so you can schedule games night, nights out, shared dinner and everything else.
Our most important bit of advice? Get set to have a good time! You never know what friendships you’ll forge along the way. So, dive in, meet new people, and savor every moment of this remarkable new chapter. Good luck!
