Advice for living with strangers

Moving away for uni is a huge transition and change to your life. Living with your family or friends will have got you into a routine and you’ve learnt to live with their habits. Now, it’s a reset. While scary, it will also be an exciting time and lifelong friendships will be formed. Follow our tips to get you off to a great start.

Introduce yourself

Although it may feel a little intimidating, try and introduce yourself as soon as possible. Remember that they will be nervous too. Even if you are shy, try not to stay locked away in your room, you’ll need to interact with your housemates eventually so better to do it while you’re all still new. It is good to break the ice. Your first interaction could be the foundation for a great friendship.

Take your own mugs and plates

Having your own distinguishable mug and plate can avoid washing up disagreements with your new housemates or finding someone drinking soup out your favourite mug, just when you fancy a coffee. The more unusual the design the better, to avoid any confusion. Although someone will use your stuff at some point, so be prepared to share.

Try to be tidy

Whether you are a neat-freak or very messy, there will always be someone more unorganised or tidier than you. Suggest creating a cleaning rota so the communal areas stay clean, and you don’t lose control. Your room can be as messy as you like but try to keep the rest of the house tidy.

Reserve a night of the week for the housemates

Spending time together will keep house morale high. Suggest a weekly activity such as a movie night, a group meal, or a night out. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy or expensive, but just something to help keep your house a fun place to be and so you feel like a team.

Ask before you take

Always ask before taking food from your housemate’s stock. Chances are they will be more than fine with it, especially if you replace it promptly. You wouldn’t want to go to the fridge to eat that slice of cake you had been saving, only to find it’s missing. Once friends hopefully your house will be a free for all of sharing; but in until you know it’s ok to do so don’t borrow phone chargers or clothes without asking first. You may see an item of clothing you think you’ll look amazing in, but your new friend may also be planning on wearing that for a night out. Always ask.

Address issues quickly

Living with strangers can prove both tricky and rewarding. No matter how close your friendship, there will always be matters on which you don’t see eye to eye. Instead of letting any frustration build up, be as neutral as possible and talk things out early on. Don’t let things become bigger than they need to be, there will always be things you don’t agree on, but you don’t want to fall out with housemates.

You’ll start your university journey together and no one will know you quite like your housemates do. Going through university experiences as a group can build a very close bond. So, try and enjoy every moment together – it’ll go faster than you think.