Student accommodation – when do you apply?
Put simply – don’t leave organising your student accommodation to the last minute.
You’ve got the grades, you’ve applied to university and you’ve celebrated until the early hours. So, what next? One of the most important things to organise well ahead of time is student accommodation. Where are you going to live? Halls, a shared house, at home? All these things need to be considered and researched before you even think about picking up a textbook. There are so many reasons why starting your search as early as possible will benefit you. Keep reading and you’ll find out why!
When do I apply for student accommodation?
One crucial part of preparing for university is deciding on living arrangements. Although this might seem scary, it’s also one of the most exciting and important decisions you will make at university. It forms the basis of your everyday life, so taking time to explore the range of options available is important. To make the move as smooth as possible, start your accommodation application as soon as you’ve accepted an offer of a place. This will ensure you’re ahead of the game and will have the most options available to you. If you leave applying to the last minute you could run the risk of being left with accommodation no one else wants. This could be a postage stamp sized room in halls, or a less than desirable shared flat or house in the wrong part of town.
Do a little research
Try investigating where you could be living, and the amenities and social aspects of location. If you’ve decided on halls then you’re guaranteed lots of other faces in the same boat, a student bar and amenities on campus. But, if you’ve decided to live off campus, what should you be looking for? Well, checking the distance to the university is important – can you walk there? Or an easy commute? Also, are you near social meet ups like cafes, pubs, coffee houses? All these things can make a huge difference to your university life. If you’re looking to live off campus it’s worth contacting local letting agents to find out what properties they have available, but be quick as the good ones go fast!
Ultimately, it’s best to choose the type of accommodation that will best suit your needs, then act upon it in plenty of time.
Check out our current list of student accommodation in Norwich.