Your First Week at urbanest

Whether you’re an undergraduate or postgrad, going to university is a big change – hopefully one you’re excited for! But it’s natural to feel some anxiety and this guide is made to help ease some of those worries. We’ll go through what moving into an urbanest student accommodation is like and give you our top tips for settling in.

Before You Arrive

Preparation is key for moving, no matter how far you’re going. If you’re stumped at this stage, we have a checklist for university that’s full of advice on what to bring with you. However, don’t worry too much about what to bring, apart from documents and home comforts, as London is one of the shopping capitals of the world. You’ll probably leave with more than you came with, so leave some space in your wardrobe!

Important documents

When packing, it is vital that you bring these identification documents:

• Photo ID (e.g. driving license or passport)
• University acceptance letter
• Guarantor’s proof of ID and address

These are extremely important for security so that we can ensure we have the right person upon check-in. Additionally, you will most likely need these documents for other processes with your university, as well as other admin such as opening a bank account, registering at the GP, and getting into age-restricted places like bars and clubs.

What is in your room

You want to only bring what is essential, especially if you’re travelling a long way or taking public transport to urbanest. Good thing you can check what is provided and what isn’t.

Every room comes with basic furniture such as a mattress, desk, chair, and wardrobe. Make sure to have a look at the room specification guide to check what else is included. For items such as pots, pans, cutlery, bins, etc., you will want to chat with your flatmates about space and if you want any communal belongings.

Can I send things before I arrive?

We understand that you may be travelling with a lot of stuff and want some of it to arrive before you do. However, you cannot have any items from any suppliers other than Cabenco delivered more than 4 days before your arrival. Sadly, due to limited storage space at reception, anything delivered prior to this day may risk getting turned away.

To find the postcode for your flat you can visit the Royal Mail Postcode Finder. This is the most accurate way of checking your address to ensure that any deliveries or mail you get during your stay makes its way to you.

Arriving at urbanest

The big day has arrived and you finally get to move into your new urbanest home! We have put together a run-through of what the process of arriving looks like so you can be prepared and help our staff process you as quickly as possible.

How do I check in?

We want the day you move in to be as simple as possible. Before arrival, you’ll need to upload your documents via your urbanest portal – don’t worry, this is much quicker and easier than doing it in person! These checks are crucial for security reasons, so please ensure that this is completed.

We also ask that you choose a check-in slot before you arrive. This means we’ll know when you’re expected to arrive and there’s no waiting around. We can show you straight to your room so you can get settled.

Inspect your room

We highly recommend you thoroughly inspect your room once you arrive. Our rooms are cleaned and maintained to a high level but we welcome feedback and need to know about anything you are dissatisfied with as soon as possible.

Connect to wifi

Every room in urbanest accommodation has free wifi and ethernet connection –  we know how important it is to get this up and running. We recommend that you connect to the wifi as soon as you arrive to check everything is running smoothly.

If you have issues connecting to the internet at any point, you can log a complaint via the Glide student portal for technical assistance.

Meet your flatmates

You may have already taken advantage of social media, such as our urbanest Facebook groups, to connect with flatmates and other residents but if not introduce yourself as soon as possible. Whether you’re the first or last to arrive, everyone is in the same boat and the best thing to do is put yourself out there.

Never lived away from home before? No need to worry, check out our top tips for sharing a flat for some advice to make it a bit easier!

Get to know the building

At urbanest, there’s a lot to see and get used to when you first arrive. Don’t worry though, our staff are there to help you along the way. So, once you have settled into your flat, take a look around the building to discover spaces like the laundry room, study spaces, and social areas.

Meet your team

urbanest is staffed by a dedicated team who are there to help at any time.

Throughout your stay with us, they will become familiar faces to you. So let’s start the introductions here by giving you a breakdown of what roles they play and how they will be there to help you.

Customer Support Assistants

Our CSA’s are the friendly team you will see at the front desk in the reception area throughout the day. They, along with the maintenance team and concierge, are responsible for running urbanest student accommodations and are there to help you with any questions you may have.

Have a query about your rent instalments? Want to hire a bicycle for the afternoon? Looking for the best restaurants in the local area? Just come down and speak to a CSA and they will be happy to help.

Duty Managers

Heading up our CSA team is the Duty Managers. They are responsible for managing your building’s processes and CSA’s to ensure that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes.

Maintenance Team

urbanest St Pancras has a dedicated maintenance team. Whenever there is a fault or something breaks in your room, just inform a member of staff at the front desk or report it online, and the maintenance team will get it fixed.

Concierge

Our fantastic concierge team takes over from our CSA team in the evenings and is responsible for the running of your building through the night.

Like the CSAs you can find them at the front desk in reception or patrolling the building, always willing to help or just have a chat. Providing a friendly face throughout the night, they also help to ensure your residence is secure at all times.

 Get to know the area

Once you have settled in a little and started to unpack, it’s a great idea to get out and explore! You may have done some research through our journal with loads of great posts about London life. Here are our top 5 tips on what you should do in your first week:

1. Register at the GP

Boring but necessary. Find your nearest general practice surgery and register. You’ll need to do this so that you can see a doctor and get prescription medications during your time in London.

2. Find a supermarket

You’ll want to find out what supermarkets are nearby and check them out so you can stock up your kitchen. In London, there are plenty of supermarkets around ranging in price from the more expensive like Waitrose to budget shops like Aldi and Lidl.

However, there are also plenty of corner shops, which are great for picking up various drinks and small pantry items. These can also be a real lifesaver when you’re craving late-night study snacks!

3. Find the nearest public transport

One of the best things about London is how easy it is to get around. No matter where you are, there will be buses, trains, and taxis at almost any time night or day. We highly recommend finding the train stations and bus stops that you’ll be using often before you actually need them. This way you can get to know your route and can find out the timetable for routes to your university buildings and London hotspots.

4. Take a walk

In London, there’s never a dull moment, so get out and explore! urbanest buildings are in some of the most sought-after parts of London and there’s always plenty going on. Once things are (mostly) sorted in your room, head out into the city and get to know the area.

Getting out into the fresh air is also a great way to shake off the nervous energy of the day and feel refreshed. Especially if you’ve been travelling.

5. Try a takeaway

Who wants to cook on the first night? You’re probably tired from a busy day, after all. Don’t worry about getting in a full grocery shop, order some food with your flatmates instead. London has a huge variety of restaurants, most of which you can find on delivery apps like Uber Eats or Deliveroo. Take it easy and enjoy yourself!

For any other pre-arrival questions you may have you can email us at enquiries@urbanest.co.uk or call us on +44(0)20 7042 7890.

We look forward to welcoming you to your new home!