Picture: Hulme Hall, Halls of Residence
by Jessica Millar, 3rd Year BA Classical Studies.
WHERE TO LIVE
Before you can move into halls, you first must choose your halls. Manchester has a range of options regarding halls, both university-owned and private. In terms of university halls, there are 3 main campuses: city, Victoria Park and Fallowfield.
The city-based halls are close to the university’s North Campus, making a short and easy commute if your course is based up there. They’re also a short walk into the very centre of Manchester so you have the city at your fingertips. The city campus tends to be quieter and a great place for those who like peace to study. Victoria Park’s campus offers some great halls, some with quite large green spaces and university bars in the halls, such as Hulme Hall (home to Victoria Park Bar, known as Vicky’s to the students). Victoria Park is right by the famous Curry Mile, a stretch of road home to one of the largest concentrations of South Asian restaurants outside of the Indian subcontinent. The food is incredible, whether it’s a 2AM takeaway or a nice meal out with your flatmates. Fallowfield’s campus provides the liveliest of the options. Fallowfield is a hub of student activity, with bars, clubs and restaurants right on your doorstep. If you want a taste of the classic student life, Fallowfield is your best option.
WHAT TO BRING
Whilst what everyone brings to university is different, here are some of my key items. · A clothes airer/ drying rack. Whether it’s to save some money on laundry, all the tumble dryers are being used or you have some clothes that can’t be tumble dried, a clothes airer will make you popular among your flatmates, they’ll all want to borrow it at some point.
- Photos/ fairy lights/ decorations. It may seem a bit cliché, but you will want to make your room as homely and you as possible, whether it’s to impress your flatmates or to make your new room feel like home, you’ll enjoy being in your room much more if it’s personal.
- Comfortable bedding. It’s probably the longest you’ve ever spent away from home, so making your bed comfortable will really help you settle in quicker.
- A fancy dress costume. If you’re interested in evening freshers’ events, it’s quite possible there will be fancy dress event, and if not, it won’t be long before Halloween. A fancy-dress option can come in more useful than you think!
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER
Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, remember, everyone is in a similar position – you’re away from home. It’s likely everyone is much more nervous than you realise, and no one expects you to not be worried at all. The good news is, living with people means you get to know them quickly and you’ll be settled in before you know it. University Halls have these great teams of former students call ResLife, there to help you settle in and with any problems you may have, and they live in the halls with you. There is university security and staff always around, so you’ll always be in safe hands. Finally, whilst you’re at university to learn, don’t forget to make the most of it and have fun, halls can be amazing!