The past couple of weeks I’ve read some great articles about making halls homely and about adapting to Uni accommodation. What I haven’t seen much of however, is advice for second years who are, for the first time, having to brave the joys of Hyde Park 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Living day in day out with the weird bangs and the dodgy landlords can seem a little daunting at first, so, in light of that, here’s a few little tips to help you to learn to love this weird little world we call home for half the year:
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LOCK YOUR DOORS
I’m sure you already know this one, but you will forget, and your housemates will shout at you. Also, you will leave your key in the door at least once, and your housemates will shout at you (sorry guys). On this note, also remember to shut your windows, there’s no use having a locked door if someone can just climb in.
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GET INSURANCE!!!
I hate listing so many negatives because I adore this place, but the sad reality is you will probably get burgled. And if someone is going to rob you, there really is nothing you can do. You only need to browse Leeds Uni Tickets for a few minutes to find horror stories of doors being axed down or ripped off at the hinges. You might have locked your doors, left your lights on and got an Uber from 3 streets away, but sometimes these things just happen. The best thing to do is to ensure that your stuff is insured, so that if the worst does happen you aren’t stuck without a laptop for the rest of the year.
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It will never ever be quiet.
No, you will probably never get used to those weird bangs, but you will reach a point where you’re more fascinated by them than scared. Your neighbours will have house parties at the most inconsiderate times (shout out to Kensington Terrace for the 3 consecutive weeks of parties till 9am during exams last summer, we LOVED you doing that). You will just learn to live with it and hope that they put some good tunes on.
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You will get mice and your landlord will not care (sorry)
If you’re really lucky they will be those weird hybrid ones that poison doesn’t seem to kill. (Your housemates will not agree to keeping them as pets for some reason).
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Your landlord who seemed lovely will mysteriously disappear once your first rent is paid
He will reappear on time to charge you cleaning fees at the end of the year, then admit he never actually cleaned the house when you ask him for receipts to prove it.
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Once you get past all the terrifying/weird/gross stuff, you will realise there is really nowhere you would rather be.
This sounds so incredibly cheesy but it is so true. Your best mates live 2 minutes away from you, there’s about a million Sainsburys, there’s the Brudenell, Royal Park Pub, East Village, Hyde Park Picture house and Crispies. What’s not to love?
Basically what I’m trying to say is yes, your new house is grim and yes, walking anywhere at night is terrifying, but you will soon become incredibly attached to your little territory, and when summer comes you’ll be living it up in the park acting like there’s nowhere in the world you’d rather be. You’re here for the year now, so you may as well learn to love it like the rest of us.
Rosie Plummer
Image: Molly Alee