For many people, leaving home to study is a huge step towards independence and the first time that they have lived away from home. It is often accompanied by mixed feelings of excitement and nerves and can feel a little daunting at first.
If you are soon going to be leaving home to embark on your studies or have children that will be doing so, here are a few tips for taking that big step…
The first thing to do is find your accommodation that you will be happy with. Most students live in special student accommodation such as this student accommodation Cheltenham based Your Perfect Pad. This is a great way to meet other students too and will be situated close to local amenities for students.
Get yourself prepared and make sure you have the things that you will need. Many students living away from home for the first time so it is a good idea to take something with you that reminds you of home – you might also want to make a photo collage or album to take for when you want to see some familiar faces!
Look into the area you will be moving to and look for things that will interest you – there may be some groups or clubs that you can join, or maybe a sports team. This will help you to meet new friends and make the move easier as well.
Making your new room feel like home
Once you have moved into student accommodation, a few small touches can make the space feel your own and help you settle in faster. Living independently for the first time is exciting, but surrounding yourself with familiar comforts makes it far less daunting.
Lighting has a big effect on mood. Table lamps, fairy lights or a new lampshade will make a plain room feel warmer and more welcoming than a single overhead bulb. Your bed is likely to double as a place to relax, so choose bedding in colours and styles you like and add plenty of soft cushions to make it inviting.
Plants are another easy win. They help create a calm atmosphere and bring a bit of life into a small room. Choose easy-care varieties such as spider plants, which do well indoors and will survive the odd week of being forgotten during exams.
Making your student room feel like home
Living away from home for the first time is exciting, but many students feel a little lonely and homesick at first. Making your room feel personal can help you settle in.
Plants are an easy place to start. They make a room feel more homely and are known to help reduce stress, which is useful when exams come round. Hardy options such as spider plants are easy to look after, and a peace lily adds something more striking.
Lighting makes a big difference too. Table lamps and string lights create a cosier, more relaxed space than a single overhead bulb, and swapping the main lampshade or adding a colour changing lamp can give the room more character. Finally, surround yourself with happy memories. Print some favourite photos and make a photo wall, so you have something special to look at every day and a reminder of the people who matter to you.