How to Settle into University and Your New Accommodation

Embarking on going to university is, undoubtedly, an exciting experience filled with opportunity. You’ll see new places, meet new people and begin the next step in your academic journey! However, the excitement is bound to come with a touch of apprehension. After all, moving to a new city, away from your family and friends, and meeting many new people who never would’ve seen or heard of you, can be daunting. It’s completely normal if you’re a little nervous.

This is why knowing what you can do to settle those nerves is essential. While it can feel a little scary at first, rest assured, once you start feeling more supported and adjusted, you will soon feel more settled and at home. This guide will walk you through the most important aspects that can help you adjust quickly to this new journey.

Why is it important to feel settled at university?

You may be unsure why “feeling settled” is important when there’s so much to see and learn at university. But, university isn’t just about doing well academically – it’s many people’s first opportunity to live independently and see what their life could look like in the future. If you want a fulfilling and enjoyable university experience, putting the time in to feel settled and grounded in your new surroundings is crucial.

If you’re constantly feeling out of place, overwhelmed, or anxious about your surroundings, it can significantly impact your ability to engage with your studies, make new friends, and truly embrace all the fantastic opportunities university life offers. Feeling settled isn’t just about comfort; it’s about creating a stable foundation that you can use to flourish socially, personally and academically. It lets you get the most out of your course and studies by ensuring you feel comfortable learning, exploring and growing in your new surroundings.

What are the best ways to feel settled at university?

There are many ways to feel grounded in your new setting quickly. Small steps, thoughtful approaches, and patience with yourself can help you adjust to different aspects of your new life. 

Here are some ways to help you feel settled at university, showcasing how various elements can contribute to that all-important sense of belonging:

Navigating your new academic landscape

Understanding your timetable, learning the layout of the university campus, getting accustomed to your new course, and familiarising yourself with the lectures, seminars, and teaching staff are really important aspects of feeling settled at university. It might seem like a lot to take in, but gradually, over the first few weeks, you’ll acclimatise to its rhythms and begin to thrive.

Part of this is learning what academic support is available to you – whether it’s library resources, departmental guidance or study skills workshops. Remember: your lecturers, teachers and other staff members will gladly help if you have a question or are unsure. They appreciate and understand that it’s a big learning curve and that you may need some help adjusting to your new way of life. Feeling comfortable in your course can take a few weeks or even a couple of months, but the sooner you’re comfortable with what you’re doing, the more adjusted you’ll feel to what you’re learning.

Building your new social circle

Building a new social circle will help you adapt to your new surroundings. Making new friends can comfort you and provide peace of mind, which can help ease any potential anxiety. Attending classes and seminars can also be a wonderful way to meet new people who share your academic interests! It’s a natural and easy starting point if you want to make some new friends.

Beyond the lecture halls, there are other ways you can build a new social circle. Student accommodation, particularly purpose-built accommodation like that supplied by Urbanest, is another excellent opportunity to find like-minded people. Joining university societies and clubs or attending university events can also help expand your social circle, allowing you to connect over shared hobbies and passions.

However, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t pressure yourself to socialise if you’re not feeling up to it. Everyone gains confidence at different rates, and just because your housemates want to socialise, it doesn’t mean you have to. Do it at your own pace in a way that feels comfortable to you. It may take you time to find your social group and find friends you feel genuinely comfortable with – there’s nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is that you feel relaxed and authentic in your interactions.

Making your accommodation feel like home

Your room should feel like your sanctuary, and there are many quick and easy tips to help you feel more comfortable in it. Student accommodation is a blank canvas that you can quickly personalise. Photographs, plants, favourite duvet covers and other personal touches can remind you of home and reflect your personality.

It’s also important to remember that you will most likely share common areas that need to be used responsibly. This means that you should clean up and keep the place tidy to make it easier for everyone to live in. You aren’t the only person living in the space, and the more everyone keeps on top of cleanliness, the more pleasant the accommodation will be for everyone!

Want to learn more? If so, read our guide highlighting tips for living in a shared flat.

Exploring your new city

Exploring your new city is an excellent way to feel more comfortable and confident in your surroundings. Take some time to discover local amenities like supermarkets, pharmacies, corner shops and post offices. The sooner you learn where things are, the quicker you’ll be able to live independently and embrace your new environment. Get to know the public transport links – knowing how to get around can really open up the city and the surrounding area.

You should also explore the bars, pubs, parks, cafes, and hidden gems your new city offers. Learning where all the city highlights are helps reduce anxiety about getting lost. Our student accommodation is often located in well-connected areas, such as Hoxton, City of London, Victoria, Vauxhall, Battersea, St Pancras, King’s Cross, Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge. The central locations can often make it quicker and easier for you to find your footing in a new place, putting everything you need within easy reach.

Prioritising your well-being

Change can be challenging, so prioritising your well-being is non-negotiable. With the changes you’re experiencing, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone in dealing with them. Student support services, such as counselling and mental health support, can help ground you in your new surroundings. Managing stress and homesickness are common issues for new students, and these welfare services are designed to help you with these issues.

Staying active and healthy is essential. Many universities offer sports facilities or clubs, and even a simple walk can do wonders. Furthermore, you must give yourself enough time to rest properly—a well-rested mind is much better at adjusting to new surroundings and embracing new experiences.

Mastering independent living

For most students, university is the first real foray into independent living. Learning essential skills, like doing your laundry and cooking, can be incredibly comforting. Developing new skills can reassure you and make you feel more grounded in your new space. 

However, there’s more to it than just learning how to cook – it also encompasses learning how to budget and manage your finances effectively, understanding household bills (if applicable), and taking responsibility for your daily routines.

Independent living is about learning to take more responsibility for your everyday routine. You need to make informed decisions to take charge of your life. By learning how to be independent—managing your time effectively, making healthy choices, and being more practical—you become more reliant on your own skills, which helps you build self-confidence. This makes you feel more settled and capable in your new environment.

Remember that settling into a new place is a process, not an instantaneous event. Embrace the opportunity to learn, make new friends and discover more about yourself in a new environment. Your university years are a unique and transformative experience, and by actively engaging with your new surroundings and prioritising your well-being, you’ll soon feel wonderfully at home.

With that in mind, why not check out Urbanest’s student accommodation options? Our accommodation is well situated, highly regarded, and perfect for students who want to make friends and quickly feel settled as they take their next important step into university and beyond. 

Learn more about the options we have available by using our Find a Room page.