Picking University Halls

It's around this time of year that people start confirming university places, putting firm & insurance choices, and picking university halls. That makes me feel very nostalgic, but it was a scary time! I think I made the right choices, and hopefully the things I've learnt will help you to make some good decisions too.

Panoramas make rooms look weird

CATERED OR SELF-CATERED.

Not all universities offer the option of whether to be catered or self-catered, but the large majority do. I was in self-catered halls and that worked perfectly for me. If you're in catered halls you'll have the option of having food cooked for you and maybe a bit of a better diet, but you might end up having a smaller kitchen and you won't have the choice when it comes to meals. Ultimately, it will probably come down to how much money you have and how good you are at cooking for yourself. I will say, however, that you will learn even if you're not that great at the moment.

PRIVATE OR UNI OWNED.

I was in private halls in my first year and they were perfect for me. There are quite a lot of external companies which own student accommodation, and this is sometimes better quality or cheaper than the university given accommodation. However, you'll probably want to look at who will be in your halls. You will, most likely, want halls with people from your own university (rather than any other unis in the area), and with people in the same year as you, so other freshers. You will also want to look at the location of the halls. Private halls sometimes are some distance from the university owned accommodation, and you might end up a fair distance away from people you meet or make friends with.

VALUE OR LUXURY.

You will find that the price of the halls you're looking at might be the biggest deciding factor for you. The cheapest of all of the halls will probably be the highest in demand, so if you are on a budget you will want to apply ASAP. Check how much money you'll be getting from student finance, because you may find that your loan doesn't even cover the price of rent. I found that even the most expensive halls at my university weren't that much better than the halls I was in, which were the second cheapest.

EN SUITE OR SHARED.

The prospect of sharing a bathroom with a stranger is a bit too much for some people and they end up applying for en suite accommodation. I applied for a mixture of the two and ended up in a flat which had a shared bathroom. We were all girls so that made things a little bit easier (probably), but we didn't have any problems. I would even go as far as saying having to share a bathroom meant that we were a little closer, because you can't just hide in your room forever!

BIG OR SMALL.

The numbers of flatmates you have will have an impact on the feel of your flat. I think this is just a case of personal preference. Bigger flats can be a little bit nosier, but you have the assurance that you'll definitely get on with at least one of your flatmates! My small(ish) flat was lovely and we were all quite close, but it did mean that when two of my flatmates dropped out we were left with only three of us!

SINGLE OR MIXED SEX.

Some universities allow you to choose between being in a single sex flat or a mixed flat. I think this is, again, down to personal preference. I chose to only apply to mixed flats but actually ended up in a single sex flat, and although I was cautious at first, I really loved living with just girls. However, I'm sure I would have been happy in a mixed flat too. It's more about their personalities than it is about which gender they are, and that's something you can't pick!

This is 'The Vale', one of the student villages at University of Birmingham. The photo on the left shows 'mason' & 'shackleton' is in the distance on the right!

In the end, you want to pick somewhere you really like the feel of. Speak to previous residents, or people you know at that university and ask for their opinion. Beware of hall rivalry, which might lead to a slightly distorted view of some of the halls, and make sure you consider your budget before applying! Having a room where you can roll out of bed into university is perfect if you're lazy, but not having to get a taxi on night outs was something I liked best about my halls - so consider location carefully! Overall, don't panic. You'll make friends no matter where you are, and as long as you make the most of it I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Going Braless

Firstly, I haven't posted in ages so I do apologise. Christmas, essays and deadlines all snuck up on me but I am finally out of the other end of that tunnel and back to writing again, once I can think of things to write about... In my absence not much has changed, but I did turn 20! My teenage years are over! Anyway, here goes my first post of 2015... onto what I really wanted to say.

Nicki knows....

If you're someone who wears a bra you'll know how uncomfortable they can be. They're expensive. They press into your skin and make strap marks on your shoulders, and that's if the straps aren't always falling down. If you've ever been poked by an underwire that's gone walk-about, you know the pain I'm talking about. Bras peak out of your clothing and ruin the sleek look you were trying to go for, and don't even get me started on backless, multiway, strapless and stick on bras. Bra science is too much for me. 

So, I've sorta' given up. Well, not completely, but I have a new found confidence when it comes to going braless. I have no idea why there's such a stigma when it comes to not wearing a bra. In fact, I know exactly why, but people are misinformed and you're all making the wrong decision. Free the boob!

And I know what you're all thinking. So let me prove you wrong on a couple things...

1. NOT WEARING A BRA DOES NOT MAKE YOUR BOOBS SAGGIER. In fact it's been found to be the opposite. You denying your boobs gravity by wearing a bra is more likely to make them get saggier, I'm afraid. Plus, you're more likely to do more damage by wearing the wrong bra size, and you'd be surprised at just how many people are wearing the wrong size.

2. YOUR NIPPLES CAN EASILY BE COVERED UP. There's nothing wrong with showing a little erect nipple when it's chilly, but if that is something you want to avoid you easily can. Just pop on some nipple covers or avoid wearing thin fabrics. No one need know.

3. YOUR BOOBS AREN'T TOO BIG TO GO BRALESS. It does not matter how big or small your boobs are, if you want to go braless, then do it. Just remember that when you're running down the stairs or for a bus you may knock yourself out with a flying boob.

4. OTHER PEOPLE WILL SEE AND REALISE. Who cares! Your boobs, your decision! I really do not see what is wrong with a boob not being in it's padded, underwired prison cup.

All in all, I think once you try it you'll also agree that sometimes braless is best. I'm not suggesting you burn your bras (they're expensive, don't do that), but don't be embarrassed to abandon your over the shoulder boulder holders, even if it's just for a night.