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lina-abdulhalimTruth: I haven’t lived in student accommodation since I was 20 years old (that’s about 7 ½ years ago if you must know), so going back to living in student housing is incredibly strange for me.

Then I realised student housing here in Bournemouth is a lot different from any student housing back home. Bournemouth University has a few different student accommodation options under its wing.

I currently live in Chesil House. The basics: it’s a 3-block building that houses both undergraduates and postgraduates. There are 2 blocks for undergraduates and one block exclusively for postgraduates – comprises of 6 bedroom flats and studio units. There is a common room in the courtyard with a pool table as well as the card operated laundry room.

I live with 5 amazing people from different countries and everyday I’m incredibly grateful that I didn’t opt for a studio unit.

It didn’t take long for me to turn this:

Lina room

This was taken within 20 minutes of arrival (after 23 hours of travelling).

To this:
Lina-room-slider
Warmer, with my own personal touch.

A few things you’ll experience living in student accommodation:

Living with other people who are not your family

In the six months I’ve been here at BU, the people I’ve met so far still live in their family home back in their respective home towns. Once you put in that application to live in a non-studio unit with 4 to 5 other characters in the accommodation of your choice, you’ve agreed to adapt to their quirks and habits. You’ll get to know each other, go out together, have group dinners, and who knows, you might just end up becoming lifelong friends.

Being responsible for your own wellbeing

Truth: I miss living with my parents – not worrying about food or laundry. But we all have to leave the nest at some point in our lives, and what better way to experience that than going to university? Luckily, student accommodation eases that transition. Grocery stores and supermarkets are located conveniently close by and laundry services are on site. Halls sometimes organise activities like cooking classes so you can learn a thing or two about cooking meals (and not rely on ready meals and beans on toast all the time).

Living in student halls will probably be one of the most important things you’ll ever experience as a university student; regardless of whether you’re an undergraduate or a postgraduate.
By Lina Abdul Halim

4 Responses to “Turning student halls into a home”

  1. Sarah

    Hi Lina,
    I’m a postgrad who will be moving into Chesil House this year and have a couple of questions. Can I ask what the WiFi connection is like? I’ve heard from a few people who have said it’s slow, but others don’t seem to have any issues with it. I’m pretty reliant on the internet! Also, how do you find travel between the halls and the campus, particularly if you have to stay late? I hear the buses stop running at about 10pm?

    Reply
    • Lina

      Hi Sarah,

      As with many internet connections, there are downtimes. For the most part, Chesil House’s WiFi is pretty alright and they will inform you of any maintenance work ahead of time so you can plan to head in to uni. The university buses are pretty frequent especially in the mornings (every 10 minutes) and it comes every 15 to 30 minutes after work hours. It takes about 15 minutes on the bus to get to uni and if you’ve missed the last bus (usually at 10:10pm), you can hop on one of the Yellow Buses – number 6 (they have night buses too if you end up staying after midnight. N6 runs till 1AM if I remember correctly) and it will take you at least 3/4 of the way and then it’s a straight walk from the nearest Yellow Bus stand 🙂 I hope this helps!

      Reply

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