Adjusting to Student Life in 2018

Fun, friends, academic achievement. All of these things are waiting for you when you begin your years at university. Before you step out into this new phase of your life, take a moment to read this blog and consider some of the changes that will be made to your current way of life. Reading this blog may help you to prepare, and ultimately, get the most out of this university period. Even if you are already a student, some of what follows in this blog might be helpful to you.

1.) The Change: New accommodation and a new area - Moving away from home is a big change for anyone, and it is easy at first to feel as though this new area is difficult to adjust to. Not only that, but you will be living in a new place and be surrounded by a whole load of new people.

How to Cope: Familiarise yourself with your area and the people around you. If you do this, you will start to feel more comfortable with this change in scenery and will start to realise what the local area and its nearby towns can offer you. It can also mean plenty of enjoyable hours spent in the company of new friends exploring this unfamiliar environment. 

2.) The Change: Sharing a House or Living Alone - Slightly different to living with your family at home, sharing a student house requires the ability to make compromises and be much more mindful of others and the space they are sharing with you. Things like household chores, bathroom usage and noise levels will all need to be considered when you're living with other tenants. For those that opt for a studio, there's obviously less need for compromising. But as a result of you being on your own, the responsibility for chores and anything else related to the accommodation rest completely on your shoulders.

How to Cope: The best way to respond to this change is to chat with those around you and come to some agreement about who does what and when, as well as making sure that you are considerate of those you live with at all times. Sometimes doing this can just mean getting into good habits, like ensuring that you wash up and tidy up after yourself. Whether you will be living in house with other tenants or renting a studio, a little extra thought and effort is really all that's needed.

3.) The Change: Money - You've probably heard many times before about student life and money being a difficult combination, but it's still something that needs thinking about, as it is a challenging factor that makes up the student experience. Oftentimes, the student lifestyle is one that is characterised by a lack of financial comfort, and it may be that you discover this once you begin your time as a student, a discovery that may come as a shock after years spent living with your family.

How to Cope: To deal effectively with this change, a sound strategy to managing your finances is advisable. This could very well involve regular budgeting, perhaps on a monthly or weekly basis. At the very least, just ensuring that you are sensible with your money is key; prioritise the more necessary things, avoid large expenditures that aren't essential and aim to keep the more fun or frivolous purchases to a minimum. Putting a little money aside here and there would be a good idea too, as would taking advantage of any discounts and deals you see, especially those aimed specifically at students. 

4.) The Change: Cleaning & Maintaining Your Student Home - The reason this point is being mentioned is that making the leap from living at home with family to overseeing your student home is a significant one. It comes with new responsibilities and new demands that you may not have really had to deal with before, such as cleaning, tidying and ensuring that the property is maintained to the correct standard. These things can be time consuming and not exactly enjoyable.

How to Cope: Aside from the fact that simply putting in the time and effort is required to keep your accommodation clean, tidy and well-maintained, it's helpful to remember that the more regularly that the job is done, the less thorough the job will need to be each time it's done. As for maintaining the property, the lettings agency will usually be the people to contact if there is an issue that requires attention. The quicker you make it clear that there is a problem with your property, the greater chances are of an effective solution. And on the subject of cleaning, if you are living in a house shared with other tenants, you can easily share the duties, and maybe even introduce some sort of schedule so that these duties are completed on time and in a way that is evenly distributed between the members of the house. 

5.) The Change: Opportunities for socialising and the need for studying - As a student living away from home, you are pretty much in control of what goes on in your life on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, which is something of a shift from how things were before becoming a student. Handling all of the domestic, academic and social aspects of student life could be a challenge, especially as all of them are highly important in their own way.

How to Cope: Put simply, you will need to be sensible about how you manage your time. Maybe prioritise the things that have to be done, such as your university work. Then, of course, all of the time that remains can be utilised for socialising and the more fun activities that you want to take part in. 

Student Accommodation with Unihousing

For those of you out there looking ahead to student life and searching for first-rate student accommodation, or even current students out there wanting somewhere new to settle, Unihousing are the people to go to. Registered lettings agents based in Selly Oak, Unihousing offer a fine selection of Birmingham studios and houses that are equipped with excellent furnishings.Their Birmingham student accommodation also boasts great locations that enable you to reach local amenities and the fun of the City Centre as well as other Birmingham towns with no difficulty whatsoever. All available for very affordable prices, get in touch with Unihousing today to find the right student property for you.

10 Easy Student Tips for Saving Money

1.         Be Careful With Your Overdraft.

Having an overdraft can be a real lifesaver. It can help you at times when you are struggling financially, as sometimes just that extra little bit of cash can be beneficial. However, it should be stressed that an overdraft is something you should approach with caution. Make sure you know what charges apply when you use your overdraft. Make sure you search around for good student bank account deals as well, you might be able to find a decent sized overdraft that comes without the dangerous charges.

2.         Don't Eat Out Too Often.

Eating in restaurants or other places around your local area, or even making use of the nearby fast-food options can be hard to resist; not only is it so easy, it's so tasty as well. While eating out or ordering take-ways is fine to do on occasion, you should definitely be cautious about doing this regularly. Not only could your health be negatively affected, but the costs of eating like this will quickly mount-up, too. 

3.         Cook Your own Meals.

Following on logically from the previous point, cooking your own meals is a recommended way for making better use of your money as a student. Hopefully many of you are already doing this or plan to. If not, be mindful of how cooking your own meals can help you to manage your money for the better. It can also be fun, healthy and great tasting!

4.         Switch Off Lights Where Possible.

All of us have left the lights on when we do not need them. It could be when we exit a room and forget, or when we’re just to lazy to turn them off. Making yourself aware of when lights are on unnecessarily and flicking the switch to off, can actually make an improvement to your student cash flow. Cutting down on energy usage in this way is good for the environment, too.

5.         Be Careful With the Heating.

Similar to the previous tip, cutting down on your heating bills is also going to help you reduce your financial outgoings whilst benefiting the environment as well. You may think that employing this financial tip is not going to be easy, but you may surprise yourself when you realise how many times you can cope without the heating being on. If it does get too cold, try warming up with a  jumper before turning up the thermostat.

6.         Make Use of Travel Discounts.

As travel can be a big part of the student lifestyle, getting from place to place on a regular basis can inevitably place a substantial amount of pressure on your finances. To give students a little help, there are various discounts out there for getting about on public transport. Savings can be made on travel in Birmingham by bus, tram and train, which is good news for your pocket!

7.         Avoid going out too much!

Everyone is different, and everyone has different expectations about how many times they feel they should be going out per week. Drinks, clubs, taxis homes- all these things take their toll on your bank balance. So, however much importance you personally place on nights out, it is always wise to be careful with how often you do this. Finding other things to do and being mindful of the amount you spend on nights-out is a sound approach to take to better money management.

8.         Buy Second-Hand.

DVDs, games and CDs are a great way to keep occupied when you're not studying. But it can be costly. Therefore, seeking out second-hand purchases at places like C-EX is something you may wish to consider. It means less money spent on fun things and more money saved for the more necessary things. 

9.         Discounts on Student Entertainment.

As a student, you are given access to a range of fun, interesting things at a discounted price. In addition to being a brilliant source for entertainment, the discounts that are available mean that you can keep the cost down. Make sure you always check whether you can get a student discount.

10.       Plan Ahead and use Student Discounts

There are a number of other discounts for students that you can find. Spend a little time doing some research on the internet, and you are sure to see what savings you can make. Trains, planes, hotels and student accommodation are all services where prices fluctuate throughout the year. The most affordable student accommodation is often let at the start of the season, leaving those who delay to pick from what’s left over. The cost of your accommodation can make a big difference to the amount of money you have left to enjoy yourself at University.

How Unihousing can help?

Your time as a student can throw a lot at you, and there's a lot to consider on a daily, weekly and termly basis. Where your finances are concerned though, there are various ways to make life easier for yourself. And if you need Birmingham student accommodation, or you would simply like a change of scenery, there are definitely options out there, as well. One of these options is Selly Oak-based landlord Unihousing. Boasting a selection of high-standard student accommodation, Unihousing provides student houses and studios that are ideally located and feature impressive furnishings. Available at very reasonable prices, contact Unihousing to find out more about their student properties today.

For more money saving ideas like this, see our top tips page. 

Student Activities in Birmingham

One of the brilliant things about being a tenant with Unihousing is that our Selly Oak student accommodation places you just a short distance from the University of Birmingham campus. The obvious benefits of this include the fact that those morning lectures are easier to get to on time and that getting home is a little bit quicker at the end of a long day.

Living closer to the University also has the benefit of offering you more time for leisure activities when you're not studying. The University of Birmingham offers its students plenty of ways to keep busy outside of lectures. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide what to do with your free time, so knowing that UoB is really close and offers many interesting things to get involved in should come as good news.

The University of Birmingham and The Guild of Students

The Guild of Students is at the heart of student life at the UoB. It's definitely, a good idea to make this the starting point for most of your questions about what kind of things you can get involved in.

This is a great way to meet and make new friends. The Guild of Students is made up of many different groups or societies, covering a whole range of areas, so there are plenty of opportunities to find something you enjoy, get involved and meet new people.

Some societies are departmental societies such as History and Modern Languages. Other societies are campaigning or fundraising groups in aid of organisations such as Make-A-Wish and Amnesty International.

For those who enjoy a performance, there are drama and musical theatre societies such as the Three Bugs Fringe Theatre, or music and dance groups like the Bhangra society and the Jazz, Funk and Soul society.

Whether you enjoy the outdoors or you just like to be active, there are various outdoor and recreational pursuits societies including paint-balling, skateboarding, climbing, walking or football. If you prefer indoor activities there are also many clubs to choose from, such as the Anime and Manga society, or the Computer and Videogames society.

There are also several political, religious and belief-based societies for those who wish to connect with others who share their ideas. You will find such a diversity of choice that you are sure to discover something that inspires you to get out and fill your spare time with something fun and engaging.

Taking part in one of these student groups enables you to mix with new people and make new friends. This is especially valuable at the beginning of the academic year or anytime you find yourself becoming a little bit distant from everyone else. You might find that spending time with others and doing activities in groups is some of the most rewarding of all your time spent as a student.

There's More!

The benefits of the Guild of Students don't end there. In addition to representing students and providing advice on a range of matters, they are also responsible for overseeing and making possible a large number of great events for all students to enjoy. Make sure you keep up-to-date with their latest developments to find out what exciting event has been organised next!

Unihousing Student Accommodation

Aside from the ideal location of Unihousing's student accommodation, the quality of Unihousing student accommodation is difficult to fault. Unihousing offer both houses and studios, and with both of these, there is no question that the impressive furnishings and comfortably generous amount of space inside these properties is tailored-made for the contemporary student lifestyle. Add to this a collection of other attractive features including a property maintenance team that are on-hand to deal with any issues you may have with your property and it is easy to see why Unihousing are a registered lettings agents that continue to stay popular amongst Birmingham students.

More About Selly Oak

If the plethora of events, facilities and student groups at the University of Birmingham aren't quite enough for you, or you are not a student at UoB but are still situated within Selly Oak, then you will be glad to know that Selly Oak itself is an ideal place for a good time. A place to enjoy a brilliant night out with friends at a pub or club, Selly Oak is also home to a tempting array of restaurants and takeaways. Furthermore, Selly Oak neighbours other Birmingham towns that are certainly worth visiting, with Kings Heath and Harborne being just two examples of these.

In addition, Selly Oak is well-connected by public transport links, meaning that getting to Birmingham City Centre is very easy and affordable. And of course, once you're in the city centre, the options for you and your friends to really make the most of your free-time only increase; whatever you're looking for, day or night, Birmingham City Centre is sure to satisfy.

The Place For You

As demonstrated above, Birmingham is well-equipped for making the student experience in 2018 and beyond a fulfilling one. Packed with opportunities, the chance to succeed academically in this city is only one part of what can be achieved as you continue to progress through your university years.

Student Life in Birmingham

You will have realised by now that Birmingham is a place where you will be able to do more than just study. In Birmingham you will have a great all-round experience of life. Read on to explore just a few ways to make your time in this city really special.

Brindley Place

Brindley Place is a beautiful location for friends to enjoy a delicious dish in their free-time. It is an  immaculately designed collection of tantalising restaurants and bars, including both familiar and not-so-familiar eaterys. It is situated in a picturesque canal side spot, just across the bridge from the Birmingham ICC. On those occasions when you just want to go out for something to eat and make sure you indulge yourself, Brindley Place may be the right place for you to go to. As an added bonus, it is neighboured by the lively Birmingham Broad Street, where a number of clubs and other bars are to be found, which could be just what you're looking for in order to complete your night out.

Birmingham Baltis

Birmingham is the home of the balti, and no matter where you are in the city, the unrivalled taste of a Birmingham balti is never too far away. Get some mates together and get the rich and exquisite taste of a very popular cuisine for a very affordable price.

Day Trips

If you want to venture a little further out, you're in luck. Being a student in Birmingham means you can travel quite easily to other locations that have plenty to offer. One of these places is Stratford. The home of Shakespeare, Stratford is an invigorating experience for lovers of history, drama and for anyone who appreciates a day-out filled with relaxing scenery, interesting shops and a selection of cafes providing a fine array of drinks and snacks.

Maybe not your first thought when it comes to planning what to do an Saturday afternoon, Stratford is undoubtedly worth your time. Take in the rich past of this historic town or simply unwind in its lovely surroundings, Stratford is just a short train ride away from Birmingham City Centre.

Big Nights Out

Going out isn't always about drinking; a big part of it is the clubs and the music. This is where Birmingham can be a rewarding place to call 'home' as your student years unfold. A club that has a long-standing reputation for getting people moving is Snobs. Situated on 51 Smallbrook Queensway, Snobs comprises various floors that are geared-up to pump out a diversity of sounds from R&B and Hip-Hop to Alt Pop and Indie Rock'n'Roll. Choose from one of their themed nights - such as "Bad Habits" with hits from six different decades, or "Live Forever" bringing a blast of Britpop and Old School Indie - and bounce away the hours not spent at uni'.

Another option for University of Birmingham students looking for good times is Fab N Fresh. This is the Saturday club night at the Student Union, offering a great night out. This is a very affordable option, which is obviously good news for anyone struggling with their finances. Fab N Fresh is fun and trendy, definitely one to make a regular part of what you get up to on a weekly basis.

Accommodation and Unihousing

If it's the less exciting aspects of student life that require your immediate attention, such as accommodation, then Unihousing may be worth your time. Based in Selly Oak, Unihousing are registered lettings agents that offer houses and studios to Birmingham students, and do so at very reasonable prices. Their range of student accommodation is equipped for a good standard of living. Plus, the location of these student homes is just superb. Located in Selly Oak, these student properties offer easy access to: the University of Birmingham; all the highly useful amenities in Selly Oak village; and transport to the city centre of Birmingham and surrounding towns.

What's Next?

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of everything that Birmingham offers for students. There are a whole heap of other fun things to be found in this city, and, with new events being planned in Birmingham on a regular basis, there will surely be more to come as well.

Finding your Ideal Birmingham Student Accommodation

If you already know about Unihousing, you are sure to know about the kind of advantages that being a tenant with us gets you. These advantages include our own team of qualified tradesmen so that any problems with your property can be fixed promptly and effectively in order to minimise inconvenience to our tenants. Unihousing accommodation is often found in the centre of Selly Oak which is well connected to the rest of Birmingham via its nearby public transport links. We are registered lettings agents that are well-priced with most of our student accommodation being fully furnished. Tenants can expect a high standard of student living as they progress through their university years. Finally, due to our rent prices often including the cost of utility bills and internet, keeping track of your finances is made a little easier.

If you are not a tenant with Unihousing at the moment but think you could be tempted by the student housing that we have on offer, then you may be interested to learn that we have a range of properties that will be available later in the year. To give you an idea of what Unihousing accommodation is like and what they can offer those in need of student housing, below are some examples of what we can do for you. Whether you want to make a move out of your current accommodation or you are looking ahead to the academic year that begins later on in 2018, Unihousing is well worth a look.

Unihousing Student Accommodation

B29 Dawlish Road

This first-rate flat is ideally tailored to your daily needs. It is laminated throughout and is equipped with a stylish fitted kitchen that includes appliances as well as a modern fitted shower room. Including a high-standard bedroom/living area, this well-situated accommodation is available in July 2018 for £672 pcm. Rent includes utility bills and internet.

B29 Harrow Road

A private flat that boasts both style and function, this student home is conveniently located within a short distance from Selly Oak village and The University of Birmingham. Inside this property, you will discover a fine bedroom/ living area along with a fully-fitted kitchen that also includes appliances. Additionally incorporating central heating and double glazing, this potential home for you is available in July of this year, for just £672 pcm. Rent includes utility bills and internet.

B29 Dawlish Road

We also provide houses. So, if you would prefer to share your living space with a group of friends, then this property might be the perfect option. This 4 bedroom house is perfectly suited to your daily living, boasting a fully-fitted kitchen that is generous in size and fridge/freezers that are placed inside each of its bedrooms. Fully furnished and laminated throughout, this house additionally provides sinks and washer/dryers in each bedroom. Available in July 2018 for £650 pp pcm.

B29 Exeter Road

With 3 bedrooms to accommodate you and two others, this property is a high-standard selection for shared student living. To guarantee relaxing evenings in after a long day, this Unihousing accommodation features a comfortable living room complemented by a flat-screen TV. Central heating and double glazing for added comfort, this conveniently located student house has a bathroom that is fitted as well as spacious and, for preparing your own meals, a contemporary fitted kitchen. Sure to meet your requirements, this house is available in July 2018 for £399 pcm.

What's the Area Like?

Unihousing student accommodation can be found in Selly Oak, which is generally an ideal place to form the backdrop to living as a student in Birmingham. It is filled with all that a student would normally need on a weekly basis. There are supermarkets, shops, and for fun evenings out with friends, there are pubs. There will probably be nights when you don't want to cook, and as we would probably all agree, eating out makes for a nice change. So you should be pleased to hear that Selly Oak is home to a collection of take-away places and restaurants. And, being in Birmingham, you are never too far from finding a fantastic balti.

Apart from Selly Oak being a fine area for a student night-out, it also sits within an easy distance from the city centre of Birmingham. There you will discover a range of clubs and bars to keep you entertained, as well as a whole selection of establishments offering plates of tasty food to sink your teeth into. There's a lot to do here in the daytime as well.

Also, make sure you keep your eyes open for various events taking place local to Selly Oak and elsewhere in Birmingham.

Making Your Choice

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay during your time as a student, there's a lot to consider, and the decision isn't always easy. Hopefully, as you will have noticed through reading this blog, there are some very good options out there. And to make the most of the opportunities for finding student accommodation in Selly Oak, Birmingham, Unihousing are the people to go to. Have a look at our website to view our properties and register your interest.