Don’t listen to the stereotype, dating your flatmate is great

The phrase “don’t sh*t where you eat” was repeated to me about a hundred times in my first year. This is of course referring to being in any type of relationship with your flatmate. University folklore tells you that sleeping with your flatmate is forbidden. You treat your flatmates like family. You wouldn’t date your sister would you?

Well this stereotype is flawed. Going out with your flatmate is ace. It started with a few cheeky kisses on nights out, that we shook off as freshers fun. Then we became cuddle buddies. Until it got to the point where we hated the other one bringing anyone else back. Its at this point that you realise that maybe its time to go on a date.  All the naysayers say that it will be awkward if we break up. University is about trying something new and exciting, what is the point in worrying about the future? Besides I don’t normally look to date someone if I’m going to break up with them.

Living with your girlfriend/boyfriend may seem pretty intense, but if it ever does get too much (which it rarely does) you have the rest of your flat too hang out with and you still have your own room to lock yourself in. Even though you realise sometimes that things have got intense pretty fast – conversations like “we need some more milk” do make you think twice about the situation – it is still great. You have someone to sleep with every night, meals become cheaper and it honestly makes the relationship stronger. My girlfriend and I are on different courses and play different sports, so we still have time away from each other. It didn’t change the flat dynamic, we still all went on nights out together, just make sure everyone is on the same page.

How much?

I have come to terms that I will come out of Uni with thousands of pounds worth of debt – or at least blocked it out of my mind sufficiently to prevent nightmares. However, after tuition fees, accommodation fees, and the money needed for food and basic survival, there are unprecedented extra costs, that you will not have accounted for.

1. Societies. I am not suggesting that you shouldn’t join societies, because you most definitely should. However just be aware that it comes with extra cost. There will undoubtedly be a joining fee for your club, and then the socials themselves will cost money, whether it is going to the pub or paint balling. Then there are trips, and team kit. All of these seem relatively small expenses, however over the course of a year it seriously adds up.
2. Printing. As a history student, I know how much it costs to print endless pages of reading material and your own work. This is an unavoidable cost but an expensive one nonetheless. Just try and make sure that you print what you need and not any unnecessary extras. Also print everything double sided, as the less paper that is used the cheaper it will be – and better for the environment of course.
3. Public Transport. If you are less fortunate and do not live on/within walking distance of campus, the likelihood is that you will have to catch a bus into uni. Again this may be an unavoidable source of expense, however there are ways to make it cheaper. Buying a bicycle to ride into campus (on sunny days of course) would be cheaper in the long run. For those not interested in the extra exercise, most bus companies within university cities offer student discount on travel. Make sure to research this before starting uni as it will be a real money saver.
4. Mobile phone bills. Consider changing your contract, if possible, to something a little cheaper. Shaving £20 off of your monthly phone bill will help massively over the course of a year – it could fund a few awesome nights out…
5. Speaking of nights out, they are another expensive area of uni life, maybe even the most expensive. When buying pre drinks look for the best deals (yes I mean that naff looking bottle of Tesco value vodka). Look for the best student nights, every university city has them. The cheaper a night out is, the better.
6. Clothes. Everyone loves buying new clothes, however when on a tight budget its not the best idea to go on a shopping spree. If you are truly desperate to update your collection though you can find cheaper options. For those of you with a smartphone the app Depop is ideal for finding cheap but still fashionable clothes. It also acts as a selling base for those clothes you don’t want anymore, which is ideal if you are a little short of cash. Charity shops are also full of great brands if you look hard, and you whilst finding great clothes you can feel happy in the knowledge that your money will go to a worthy cause.

Housing Hell

Its November. You’ve been at university for two months. Life is starting to settle down; you know where your lectures are (just about), you’ve signed up for societies, decided which flat mates you like and dislike, and the chaos of Freshers Week is a distant memory as your university studies are in full swing.

And then the letting agents swoop. Like feeding time at the zoo, they bombard unknowing first years with pamphlet after pamphlet, normally followed with a quizzical response along the lines of “Next years house? But I’ve only just got here?”.

I agree that it is important to organise your living situation in advance so that there is no panic come the following the September, and I don’t mean to generalise all letting agents into one category. However, the intensity that some letting agents initiate proceedings can be quite daunting, especially to someone who is completely new to the concept of letting a house such as a first year student. The attitude of some of these agents can make the stresses of university even worse. All I suggest is that the people in charge of these companies deal with students with a little more sympathy as they embark on a scary experience, and perhaps don’t punish them for their slight naiveness.

Furthermore, the prices of rent for some of these student digs can be well over what an average student can afford. I study in Cardiff so I am very fortunate that house prices in the capital of Wales are relatively low. However, I’ve heard from friends that live in cities such as Bath who can barely afford to live anywhere near their university campus because of the enormity of rent prices. Again I understand that house prices all over Britain are on the rise but for students who have worked hard to get to university, is it fair for them to be living in sub standard accommodation because they can’t afford anything better?

I feel that letting agents that operate in university cities have a responsibility to make the house hunting experience for first time students a less stressful overall process. Let me know what you think in the comments!