First Year Student Living In Halls?
 | Contents/Posessions Insurance |
Whether you’re starting university or just taking the plunge to leave your childhood home, moving away for the first time is a daunting prospect. It requires a massive financial commitment, and you’ll suddenly realise the extent of the to-do list when it comes to household duties. But you needn’t be overwhelmed. There are so many reasons to feel excited as you finally get the independence and freedom that we all crave.
If you do feel a little anxious about moving away, this is totally normal. We’ve put together a list of four top tips to help make the transition a little easier, and have your new house feeling like home in no time.
It’s all too easy to lock yourself away with your home comforts when you find yourself in a new, unfamiliar place. But when you feel isolated, you’re likely to exacerbate any feelings of loneliness, so avoid keeping yourself cooped up with too much spare time on your hands. Not only will staying busy help to distract you from any negative thoughts, but getting out and about will also help you to build up a network of friends, which is important to helping you settle in somewhere new.
For students heading to university, moving into your new digs will fortunately coincide with Freshers’ Week, which brings with it loads of opportunities to try different activities and mix with your fellow students. Sign up to sports clubs, or try your hand at learning a new skill. This is a great time to explore your hobbies and interests, and you may find that doing so helps your new place feel more like home.
One great way to keep yourself busy when you first move away is to familiarise yourself with your new home town or neighbourhood. Explore the local shops, and try out different restaurants and pubs – who knows, you might find a new favourite! Try to ditch the car where possible and go on regular walks around the area. This way, you’ll find you can take in your surroundings far better, whilst also getting some exercise in.
Moving home is one of those times in life where we feel like we can wipe the slate clean and have a fresh start, making this the perfect time to potentially adopt some new, healthy habits. For example, you could either join a class or teach yourself to cook. Regularly making your own home-cooked meals will not only save you money, but it’ll also help you to maintain a healthy diet – another way of helping to manage your mental health . Building a routine around these new habits can help to lower stress levels and help you to feel more in control.
When settling into a new home, there’ll be so much on your mind, and it can be all too easy to forget about the people you’ve left behind. But staying in regular contact with loved ones will help to stave off feelings of isolation, and ensure you don’t cut any ties after making the move. They will also be there to support you and offer advice and you take the next exciting step.
It can be tricky to find the balance between spending too much time with people from home, and getting out and about creating new connections. Even just the occasional phone call, text, or invitation to your new accommodation can really go a long way – your mum will thank you for it!
