Sweden’s capital will give you a magnificent introduction to this hugely under-rated country and provides an ideal springboard to venture out and explore further afield… but despite high prices it doesn’t have to mean eating 10p packets of noodles and scraping out the inside of the ketchup bottle for the rest of term as long as your sensible. Ryan, a second year marketing student at Leeds Met explains how…

Be Flexible

Let’s be honest, when we got the very first taste of our timetables, how many of us were amazed at the amount of free-time you get at uni? Well, make the most of it. When looking for flights use the really handy app from sky scanner to search for the cheapest deals- I managed to bag return flights with Ryanair for under £40! And remember to leave those extra shoes at home so you don’t have to pay more for hold luggage!

Pretend You’re at Home

It may seem silly, but it works. At the time of writing, 10 Swedish Krona (SEK) is almost exactly £1.00. So when eyeing up that 70SEK cheesecake, think to yourself; would I really spend 7 quid on a bit of cheesecake back home? It’s true that goods cost generally cost more, but there’s still bargains aplenty if you keep your eyes peeled, and many goods e.g groceries, are roughly the same price.

Remember You’re a Student

Unlike Britain, in Sweden travel is cheaper for everyone under 26, and many attractions will offer some kind of concessionary rate for youths and students.

What to See & Do

If like me you cheaped it, and find yourself 100km away from the capital, then you’ll have to jump on a shuttle bus (120 SEK for a youth) to get the rest of the way.

Sights and Sounds

All your touristy activities are focused around the old town, or Gamla Stan, which is about 10-15 mins walk from the train station and separated by a body of water. You could spend some time navigating it’s cobbled narrow streets, taking in the Royal palace, the cathedral or the quaint little shops selling all sorts from butter knives to moose fur. I found this cracking little second hand shop; Lopp

(Look out for the hand painted sign)

Which was a proper little quirky, nook and cranny kinda place with some real gems for next to nothing if you’re prepared to root around. My top pick is the city hall, which perches rather majestically on the side of the river, and is the scene of the annual Nobel prize ceremonies. It is rather impressive even if this isn’t your usual cup of tea, and although entry isn’t free (around 50SEK), there’s a one way door next to the cafe which could reward you handsomely if you time it right.. On your way out, keep hold of your sticker and instead of pinning it on the board like everybody else, give it to another traveller and make their day.

Carbs and Coffees

Make your first stop ‘Fika’- an afternoon tradition consisting of coffee, pastries and a natter with your friends. I was lucky enough to pass by Cáfe 60, a quaint little place between the main shopping street of Drottninggatan, and the Observatory. Mingle with all the stunning Stockholmers as you sip on a delicious homemade cafe laté, (32SEK) frothy and a pint off, sitting on the terrace upstairs or else outside and try to resist splurging on the rich and chocolatey cakes paraded around by the smiling baristas. (The better deal to be had is on the lunchtime soup, bread and drink at 49SEK). For the carnivores there’s a cracking bar and restaurant almost opposite which sells a Full plate of Steak & Chips for 50SEK until 8pm. (The popular chain Jensen’s Boefhus, also operates a similar deal until 4pm daily)  It’s also not a bad shout to start a night out being one of the cheaper places to get a beer (30-35SEK) in town and drawing a lively but in no way rowdy crowd. It was here I was first introduced to Swedens’ answer to the smoking ban; ‘Snus’- resembling a tiny tea bag and with supposedly 20 times as much nicotine as 1 cigarette (they’re illegal in most countries) you leave this minty tobacco against your gum until all the flavour goes, which makes for kinda awkward conversation, but it’s an experience nonetheless.

Sleep for Cheap

If after a coffee or beer or two you’re thinking it might be wise to find somewhere to bed down for the night, check Booking.Com before you do anything. The hostels often slash their prices last minute in order to fill empty beds, particularly outside of Summer. I managed to stay in the spotless and charming nautical themed City Lodge hostel, a little difficult to find first time round, but just 5 mins from the central station and at just 130SEK (usually 200), and with free unlimited pasta it was an absolute steal.

The Place to be

Södermalm or ‘Söder’ is a great place to wander around for a while, soaking up the atmosphere, and checking into the many decent music shops, record shops (albums from 10SEK!), cafes and bars all with that little bit more vibe going on than the commercial shopping streets. After dark, this place usually draws in some decent names when you’re after a slice of the action on a sweaty, stomping dancefloor; when I was there upcoming names included Andy C, Boddika and Modeselektor. There’s also a fairly established underground community with lots of creative, social change and musical type projects going on particularly amongst the youth, students and migrants. Stick around long enough and you may well to get party with the locals.

Go Discover..

If you’re lucky enough to have more time on your hands than me, there is some breathtaking stuff up North; Sweden boasts huge snowy forests, Lapland, and views of the Northern Lights. The most economical way to do this is to fly up-to Kiruna before making your way overland.

If you’re after more city life, Göthenburg, Sweden’s 2^nd biggest city has a huge student population, and is a popular erasmus destination. There’s also a charming old town, some stunning islands to the south (easily and cheaply reached by the excellent city metro), and of course the unmissable ‘Afterwork’- 2 hours of cheap(er!) beer, and free food from around the world in nearly every bar. Last minute lower train fares are released for youths 24hours before departure.

From Göthenburg and many other Swedish cities, low-cost coach operator: GoByBus, offer some good deals particularly if you’re willing to do day trips.

Ryan

Want to write for us like Ryan? We are always looking for talented student writers to join our team. Hello@mystudenthalls.com

“Can you do the washing up?” 

 Let us save you the effort of expelling consonants and vowels from your lips. No! The answer will always be no. Whether hitting them over the head with a scrubbing brush sledgehammer of politely tickling their interest with the soft effervescence of Fairy Liquid bubbles, no flatmate takes kindly to the suggestion that it is their turn to wash the dishes. If pompous notes, boxes full of dirty cutlery and a flat smelling worse than the local tip doesn’t sound appealing, may I suggest paper plates and plastic knives and forks?

“So, can someone throw the paper dishes out?”

“NO!”

“Of course you can have a lift!”

Are you planning on spending your university years as the local free taxi driver? No? Then follow these wise words once spoken by the Tibetan Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery, “My son, thou shall never drive with thy flatmates ox”. Translated, this simply  means, “Don’t be an idiot and let your flatmates get a free ride… EVER!” If you have a car at university, you need to set the limits from the get go. Once the word is spread that you like to lend people your vehicular support, you can expect to be the most famous taxi driver since Robert De Niro had trouble figuring out just who was talking to who.

“I have loads of money!”

It may be an enjoyable boast, but your gleaming pride will soon be glowing in the green envy of your flatmates, as dollar signs cascade across their eyeballs in cartoonish delight. Unless you enjoy the idea of becoming the autonomous ATM of your university campus, we suggest keeping your monetary successes to yourself. Otherwise, you may end up being a completely different kind of green.

“My parents are coming to stay.”

Get the beer cans into a trash bag. Launch the smelly clothes pile into the washing machine. Get the study books out. Batten down the hatches! Call the police!! Someone do something!!! My flatmates parents are coming to stay! Student life offers the wonderful freedom to live like a pig and say goodbye to the chores. So why, oh why does my flatmate insist on having his parents to stay? Let your fellow university companions live wild and free. Don’t tell them that your parents are coming to stay.

“I went to McDonalds and I got you nothing.”

IF YOU GO TO MCDONALDS, BRING YOUR FLATMATES A BURGER! We have nothing else to say on this matter.

So, now that you know the 5 things you should never say to your flatmates, perhaps you could make student life even more idyllic and consider the 5 things you should always say to your flatmates. Hmmm; Entry Number 1… I will pay for everything! Student Heaven.

A time when commercialism falls by the wayside and… Wait, what are we talking about? All anyone cares about on Valentine’s Day is receiving a gift capable of proving how special they are. Yep, it’s a big pain in the ass. But, with flickering candle lights and flowing alcohol working their magic towards the end of the evening, every cloud has a silver lining. That is, unless you make the mistake of selecting your beau’s special present from our list of the Top 5 Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts.

Condoms

Twisted logic and amorous expectations aside, a small cardboard pack of 20 neatly bound prophylactics is not our idea of romance personified and, if you know what’s good for you, neither will it be yours. You may consider Valentine’s Day to be the one day of a the year when you can guarantee getting lucky, but at least hedge your bets. We advise a bottle of wine, a candle lit meal and perhaps a shiny crimped package peeking out from the top of your shirt pocket. If that doesn’t work, at least you still have something to fill with water and throw at the more romantically successful students passing your hall’s bedroom window.

Cash

It may be the preferred choice for teenagers desperately hoping to avoid another yearly gift of socks from elderly relatives, but you really should try to think of your girlfriend as more than a spotty adolescent and raise your own gift giving abilities to greater heights than those achievable by increasingly forgetful geriatrics. Rest assured that regardless of good intentions, no Valentine’s Day should be accompanied by the phrase, “Now you can get yourself something you like.”

Cook Books

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. But Valentine’s Day isn’t the time to be making not so subtle requests via your choice of gifts. We can’t think of anything more insulting to give a woman than a literary guide to confine her to the realms of the kitchen, and because you couldn’t think of anything more suitable to show her your love, you can expect to spend a night on the couch with only your grumbling empty stomach to keep you company.

Bad Timing

Valentine’s Day is a time for sharing your love and showing your sweetheart just how much you care. What it certainly isn’t is a time for is utilizing the emotions and thoughts of love to explain how yours are somewhat lacking in your current relationship. Getting dumped on the most romantic day of the year is just about the worst gift you could receive. Well, we say that, you should have seen the hand knitted jumper that we received last year. God awful it was.

Petrol Station Flowers

They’re cheap, they will die in a day, they take no thought whatsoever and they almost certainly express the fact that you spent about 5 seconds panicking before rushing to the nearest petrol station in an effort to beat all the other failed Romeo’s to the last remaining bunch. A petrol station bouquet may seem like an appropriate gift; they’re flowers after all. But, trust us, the light of your life will see through your romantic failings in a second. Simply put, if you are going to the garage, you would be better off just filling the car up with petrol. At least she won’t then get stuck when fleeing to her friend’s house for the night.

So…

There you have it; 5 sure-fire ways to ruin your Valentine’s Day and spend the rest of the week in the proverbial dog house. Of course, if the relationship hasn’t been working out, you could look at our list in a glass half-full kind of a way and use it to finally bring things crashing to an end. Don’t forget to share your worst Valentines day gift below on Facebook.

The same is true with Universities almost everywhere – you will be cast into a vast melting pot of young people from different countries and backgrounds, all of whom want to meet new people and have fun.

There are great universities and fantastic cities all over the UK – but London has to be top of the list for, well, pretty much everything it has to offer. You’ll be spoilt for choice no matter what your interests are. If it’s kebabs at 2am or bargain hunting at Sunday markets you’ll find somewhere you love to hang out for sure.

Accommodation

Whilst London isn’t known for being the cheapest of places to live, it is possible to find a few gems especially if you’re willing to share. Miss Moneypenny of Channel 4′s “Superscrimpers” recently demonstrated to some students that they could afford live in a 6 bedroom, hot tub fitted palace of a house if they were willing to shack up with other couples and split the rent.

In the first year of uni, we’d highly recommend living in halls. Firstly, there is the social aspect. Student halls are quite simply the very best way to make new friends when you arrive at Uni, because everyone there is in exactly the same position. It’s surprising how much you and a fellow housemate can bond over whinging about someone else’s bathroom habits, and the daily opportunity for group meals, film watching and hanging out is something you might only experience later in life if you entered the Big Brother house. You’ll probably find that your best and most long-lasting friendships will develop during your time in halls.

Secondly, there is a great cost benefit involved. The cheaper student hall accommodation in London can be had for about £120 a week. If you’re not too precious about sharing a bathroom you’ll be able to save money on rent instead of opting for an en-suite. Let’s face it you won’t be spending too much time in your room any way, and you can always sneak back to the parents for a weekend if you miss your creature comforts. In our opinion, the unique halls atmosphere is best enjoyed when you muck in and share the facilities. You’ll miss it when it’s gone!

Pubs and Clubs

This is where most of your time and money will be spent. If you’re smart about it, you can still have fun on the cheap. Get used to the idea of hosting house parties, because that way everybody can buy cut-price booze from a shop, and somebody has to give up their home for the greater good. It’s also a good idea to look around for cheap pubs and stick to them. For example, The Chando’s in Trafalgar Square sells pints for under £3, which is by far the cheapest in central London. Your Student Union will probably be the best value for a night out, but be a little adventurous too. Clubs like the 100 Club XOYO hold a huge range of gigs and “musical experiences” and are worth checking out, as are any of the O2 venues which are geared at students. Most clubs hold student nights, and even the more expensive ones become quite reasonable one day a week. Your student union reps will have plenty of VIP passes, group discounts and the like so make friends with them!

Days Out

London isn’t just great for nights out; it’s a cultural hotspot, too. Loads of museums offer free entry – even the big ones like the Science Museum and The National History museum. If you’re using up your Oyster card funds make the most of the trip – on any given day, there will also be lectures given by professional and voluntary organisations, comedy nights, gigs, shows, and a whole host of other events which can be accessed for free. One stand-out location is The Scoop, which is an outdoor amphitheatre hosting free events throughout the summer.

Don’t forget to have a mooch round the markets at Spitalfields and Camden Lock too; you may not have anything to spend but if you’re arty you’ll be inspired and if your curious you’ll find plenty to look at.

Finding Work

Studying in London can be great for your CV, and not just because of the status attached to Universities in the capital city. If you are looking for a part time job, there will be thousands of opportunities at your fingertips. If you need a work placement or internship to support your studies you’ll have plenty of international company headquarters right on your doorstep.

Get Ready for the Time of Your Life

London is a great place to be a student. There really is no better place to make friends and have new experiences. Be sure to make the most of it!

Stationary, course literature, accommodation fees… oh, who are we kidding; drinks and nights on the town pretty much ensure that the last week of every month is spent worrying just how far the next pound will stretch. So, without further ado, allow us to run you through some of our top tips for making your student loan last longer:

Student Jobs

We know it may come as a shock to some, but university life isn’t all about sleeping in to midday, before rolling out to the nearest lecture hall. A student job is not only the perfect way to make your student loan last longer, it can also be a motivating force behind planning your scholarly work schedule for the weeks and months ahead. There are plenty of student jobs available on campus and an early visit to the campus bar could provide you with much more than a hangover for the following morning.

Make a Student Loan Plan

We’re sure this is all you need, yet more know-it-all’s telling you to plan for the future. But believe us, discovering you have overspent with months left of your university year is more terrifying than turning up naked to your last year exams. Not had that dream yet? Don’t worry, it will come. Being aware of your incomings and outgoings for food, study aids and student accommodation is a sure-fire way to make your student loan last longer.

Cheap Student Books

It comes as a kick in the teeth to discover mass amounts of your student loan making its way from the bank to the bookshop as you fill your course literary requirements and your student hall shelves with an array of new study aids. But alas, I suppose we must all study sometimes and after all, what else is university life for? Don’t answer that! It’s for study! Thankfully, there are ways to get your hands on cheap student books. From the internet to the intranet, former scholars are always hoping to pass on their own course study aids to those following in their footsteps (that’s you!). So, keep an eye on eBay, discover the student loan stretching facilities of your local university intranet and always remind your lecturers and peers of your literary frugality. You never know, it may also prevent them from asking you to get the next round in.

University Treats

Though it may be tempting to blow a large portion of your university finances the moment the latest iPhone hits the stores, you should always remember that your student loan is there for a reason and as hard as it is to accept, it isn’t for a weekly personal treat. Of course, if you manage to find yourself a job at university, feel free to splash the extra cash (just don’t tell your friends about it).

Affordable Student Accommodation

Your first years away from home shouldn’t mean slumming it (leave that for your travelling years). When selecting your student hall accommodation, bear in mind that its four walls and ceiling will come at a heftier price if you allow your heart to rule your head. Of course, this doesn’t mean having to settle for second best. Look for student hall accommodation beyond the initial parameters of your university and you will find a bargain awaiting to bring shame upon your fellow students’ more modest dwellings.

Take Advantage of Student Discounts

By now, we may have convinced you that it’s all financial doom and gloom when seeking to expand your scholarly horizons. Fortunately, there are plenty of student discounts available to make your student loan last longer. From train tickets to nights out, bus fares to cinema tickets, there are savings to be had at every turn. This may be the closest thing you share in common with pensioners during your University years. They take advantage of their monetary markdown, so feel free to grab at every student discount available. Just remember that things suddenly get confusingly more expensive once you leave.

We hope that this little guide to making your student loan last longer has been of help. So, next time you look to spend a penny, keep these tips in mind and your student loan will see you in good stead for the entirety of your university years.

Christmas…

is fast approaching and it usually comes with high expectations. Some of you are dreaming about getting back home and enjoying that well deserved time off from uni and work. But what about those who are spending holidays away from their family in Student Halls? Don’t worry help is at hand! There are many ways to reward yourself for your hard work and enjoy this festive time wherever you are. Here’re my tips on how to make it happen.

Time to make new friends

It seems like just about everyone is going home for Christmas and New Year’s. Every conversation starts and ends discussing how your friends are looking forward to leaving student accommodation and enjoying their holidays somewhere else. Surprise, surprise there’re still plenty of people staying in and facing the same problem: how to make the best of it? Why not kick start this festive season by throwing a Christmas themed party. Dress-up (do a competition for silliest and funniest Christmas jumper), meet new people, share your story about staying in halls and you’ll see that you’re not alone in this.

Try New things

This concerns both local and international students. Do some research into what your university has to offer this season. Some introduce Christmas Buddy programmes: local students inviting international ones into their homes and share the experience of a traditional British Christmas. Be creative and pitch an alternative to your hall’s administrative team. Be willing to share and experience new ways of celebrating this holiday with your new friends. Volunteering can be fun. You probably though about doing it on a number of occasions, but each time something would get in a way. Well, this time around you’ve got time on your hands so why not give it a go a share holiday joy with others.

Make your friends and family smile

We all fall into at least two categories: some love receiving gifts, some take pleasure in giving them. As you’ll be away from home this festive season, consider marking your presence with signed cards and presents posted to your family and friends. Make sure you do your Christmas shopping a little bit earlier this year, as you have to account for a delivery time. But this is definitely worth it. Imagine how great it feels to receive greetings from your loved ones and know that they’re thinking of you. So, why not take a different approach this time around. Try to give back with a little more thought put into it this December and you’ll see what a difference it makes.

Be productive

Have assignments and exams due in January? Why not be smart about it and spend some time studying and taking great pleasure of doing less revision after holidays have passed. Think about it, all those students occupying the library 24/7 just to catch up with the load of work that needs to be done and you, almost stress-free, have everything under control. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but looking on the bright side it is a perfect chance to do things differently

See your city in a new light

Appreciate what your city has to offer this Christmas. It doesn’t matter where you are, there are so many great things to do. Truly experience the beauty of a city draped with sparkly lights that brighten the mood and spread festive warmth like a big log fire. There is nothing better to lift your winter spirits even more than the aroma of holiday goodies and the glow of market stalls. It is a great time to go wondering around town, and remember to keep track of the events taking place day and night in your community. Keep creating a small celebration for yourself every day this Christmas and the holidays will be over before you know it.

By Kate Jerofejeva- An international student studying Public Relations at Leeds Metropolitan University.

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It’s surprising how many students can’t wait to race home to their favourite pet pooch in the sticks as soon as Friday strikes six. Really, what was the point of going to uni if you don’t make the most of your student accommodation and your new surroundings? There are loads of benefits to living in student housing at the weekend that’ll keep your sanity intact (and your walls unclimbed).

(Try not to) stay in bed ALL weekend

By “live it up“ in your student accommodation, we don’t literally mean you’re chained to your sofa… or bed. There’s having a comfortable lie-in and there’s fossilising. And there’s definitely a BIG difference between the two.

While staying in bed all weekend might seem like an attractive prospect, all your romantic visions of fluffy goose-down heaven will soon disappear (along with your sanity) when your bed becomes uncomfortably ‘toasty’, and you realise that nasty whiff isn’t rising from the drains, after all. Isn’t it time you grabbed a shower, some clean clothes and fresh air while you’re at it (opening your window wide doesn’t count, by the way).

Get to know your surroundings

For many students, the chance to experience an exciting new city away from their home villages’ buzzing duck pond (as quacking as it is) is part of the uni lure. So not making the most of your surroundings sounds quackers to us (okay, enough of the duck puns, but we really aren’t kidding)!

The fact that we’ve suddenly found ourselves plummeting into the depths of direst winter makes it even more important to appreciate the little available daylight on offer each day!

So enjoy a morning cuppa in the local café, study the free paper for hours (looking slightly starved and almost distressed, so the nice tea lady gives you a free top-up and biccie), browse the shops, local museums, exhibitions – you get the picture. And hell, if the sun’s out – get your pasty limbs to the park! See, the ducks were never far away, after all.

Earn some extra pennies

It might sound like hard, laborious work, but actually this could work out very well for you. Who says your weekend job has to be boring? Because you can have it all – money AND good times! How? Simple. Target local bars or restaurants and you’ll soon be out enjoying a Saturday night on the tiles AND getting paid for the privilege.

Get ahead of the rest

Speaking of jobs, if you’re really committed to the cause (the “cause” being your future career), you could always try and use your free weekend time even more wisely and volunteer for work experience at a local business.

Gaining any form of relevant work experience will pay dividends when it comes to the race to grab a job at the end of uni. Trust us, during term (and especially the last semester in your final year, when you’re bogged down with dissertations and late nights galore) you’ll struggle to find the time.

While not all businesses will be open at the weekend, the digital world is such a smaller place, so all you might need is a laptop and a decent connection!

 No one will EVER hear…

Now we’re not suggesting you throw a full-on house party – unless that’s entirely appropriate, of course. But the beauty of having student accommodation to yourself is you can play your guilty music secrets as loud as you want. (Just prey no one comes back early to find you air-guitaring to the Very Best of Power Ballads.)

First dibs on everything

If you have to share a bathroom, forget queuing in the morning, or having to squash your milk, butter and baby cheeses into a shared fridge. Ooh, did someone accidentally leave a triple-choc cheesecake in the fridge?! Oh, look it’s definitely going out of date SOON. You might just have to make sure it’s eaten first. That’s a shame.

 So what’s the plan for next weekend?

You have more space and time to yourself than ever, so make the most of it!

The main moral of this story is, if you are hanging around in student accommodation this weekend, make sure you have something planned, otherwise get ready to clean the mud off the walls (or at least, take your shoes off first).

The lectures have kicked in with a vengeance and the only thing smaller than the contents of your fridge is the size of your bank balance.

The wad of cash you arrived with those few short weeks ago has dwindled alarmingly, and while you’re not quite sure how, it’s a fair bet that the bar staff at the Students’ Union have been the gleeful recipient once or perhaps five times too often.

But then again, you didn’t go to university to display your uncanny knack with an Excel spreadsheet. And while your bank manager once went on a bit about the importance of money management, no-one will be too interested by your fascinating tales of student nights in to preserve your account balance.

Inevitably though, the need to keep food on the table and the wolf from the door makes it a good idea to keep at least half an eye on your bigger spends.

The Rising Cost of Student Accommodation

Perhaps the biggest cash drainer of all is your digs. For many, university is the first time they have had to live away from home – and so the first time they have had to confront the unending array of different property charges that can come your way.

Indeed, the latest research by the National Union of Students – for 2010-11 – showed that rent was the typical student’s biggest expense by a long shot, averaging out at an eye-watering £4000 outside London.

We’re not sure if the NUS took the amount of cider quaffed by your average rugby-playing student into consideration, but whatever, it’s safe to say you’re going to be reaching deep into your pocket for rent money.

Searching for student accommodation is therefore a big decision, and it’s one that’s essential to get right when you’re moving out of student halls and into privately-owned student houses.

Earning a Reputation for Leeds Student Accommodation

One Leeds letting agent that’s picking up a good reputation with students is Pickard Properties. A fixture on the Leeds scene for almost half a century now, family-run Pickard claimed the Best Large Landlord gong at this year’s Leeds University Union Landlord Awards.

So what is it that separates Pickard from the umpteen other agents letting Leeds student properties?

The houses themselves, for a start. Pickard’s student houses are renowned as the best in Leeds, managing the tricky act of being sensitive to the requirements of locals while focused on the accommodation needs of students.

Throw in Pickard’s 24-hour maintenance line and a strict adherence to the various codes laid down by regulatory bodies, and students can feel like they’re in safe hands.

And for those looking for a way to trim those outgoings, there’s another advantage to choosing Pickard: its bills-inclusive scheme option, which wraps unpredictable fuel bills up with the monthly rent on its Leeds student houses.

So if that night out has left a deeper impression on your bank account than you’d remembered, you won’t be the one having to turn off the heating just as winter sets in.

Leeds student rentals inclusive of fuel bills are available at Pickard Properties from as little as £73.75 pppw. For more information, call 0113 246 9395 or visit www.pickardproperties.co.uk

For most people, heading to uni and moving into student halls is their first experience of living away from home, so it’s not always going to be pretty and you’re going to learn a LOT about each other, and yourself, living in such close proximity!

For me up here in mighty Leeds, while I haven’t been lucky enough to meet all of these types of roommates as yet, here are some typical examples of roommates I think you can expect to get acquainted with…

1. The messy one

You’re not even sure if they’re ALIVE in their room, such is the state of the rare glimpse you get into their dungeon. It’s only for the occasional rustle (you sure that’s not a rodent?) and the mountains of laundry exchanged (washed by mum, of course) that you’re not overly concerned for their welfare. You are, however, concerned about the pile of their stuff that has spread in to the communal area and appears to be growing…

 2. The homesick one

You know the type. They moved up from a small village where everyone knows everyone, to a big city like here in Leeds, and they’ve suddenly realised that life back home wasn’t so bad after all. Big news back in the village was if someone bought a different newspaper to their usual in the village shop. You can usually find this roommate on the phone plotting their next escape back home, or just chatting to their parents at 10pm. In bed. Every night.

 3. The nocturnal one

Ahh, this roommate is a classic. This guy is on a different time zone to everyone else they live with. You’re not even sure if they’ve ever attended a lecture. You’ll either bump into them as you head to the toilet during the night, or as you’re heading into your first lecture and they’re just rolling home… what stamina!

 4. The scrounging one

Pretty sure there’s one of these in every halls of residence. They’ve got enough cash to buy themselves a pizza after a night out (and won’t share it), but when it comes to chipping in for stuff together or getting a round in at the bar, they’re skint and need to borrow cash. You’re cooking dinner (pasta, naturally) and the scrounger mopes along looking STARVED. They pinch a teabag every so often, cadge a toilet roll, or laundry tablet from you (laundry tablets count as currency you know.) Sadly, there’s more chance of Lady Gaga going to church than you ever being repaid for whatever is ‘borrowed’.

 5. The totally-up-for-it one

Err, not like that! This roommate will go along to the opening of a cupboard if it means being seen as sociable. The sociable roommate is pretty cool though, even if they do invite everyone back to yours after a night out and scoff ALL your biccies.

 6. The hosting one

Much like the previous social roommate, except this roommate loves nothing more than to invite everyone back to his or her room and keep the party going – wahey! This type of roommate can usually be identified by the abundance of beanbags and inflatable beds, ready for impromptu sleepovers. The host was easily the most popular person back at school and has no intention of giving up that status at university.

 7. The prim and proper one

Jolly good, yah? When one of my current roommates unpacked a pink polka-dot teapot AND matching teacup set I knew we might be in trouble. I’m at uni, not my nan’s! And no, I’m not drinking tea (ahem, actually it turns out I am a tea drinker and I LOVE it, but you know…) I don’t have a teacup, I have a mug. AND it’s got a chip in it. I point blank refuse to accept the doilies or the apron in the kitchen. She’s even put a net curtain up on her bedroom window now. I’ll keep you posted on this one…

 8. The connected one

This type of roommate most likely knows at least 10 other people in other flats around your halls. They all moved up from the same hometown and hang out together at every opportunity. Yeah dude! So why did they decide to move somewhere new in the first place if they weren’t bothered about meeting new people? Puzzler.

 9. The one most likely to get scurvy…

Seriously, one of my friends here in Leeds knows a guy in halls who lives off porridge oats and buys them in those industrial sized bags they used to take to sea for sailors. He eats porridge for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. Oats-so-good or what? Hmmmmmm, he might be the first person on dry land to EVER get scurvy.

So there we have it. Stay tuned and I’ll keep you up to date with the on-going shenanigans of the jolly fellows me and my chums have had the pleasure of living with so far in Leeds. Oh, and if anyone fancies a bowl of porridge, let me know. I know someone who makes a mean bowl of oaty goodness…

Katie- Leeds University Student

1. Sharing showers    

Unless you’re lucky enough to have an en suite bedroom, the chances are you’ll probably share a bathroom (or at least, a shower room) with your buddies from across the hallway.

Now, people who you consider to be your friends might be lively over a Snakebite or two, but they soon turn into completely different animals when it comes to their bathroom behaviour.

All we’re saying is, take your toiletries with you WHEREVER you venture, stay away from the plughole (unless you have a burning desire to detangle it), and wear flip-flops at ALL times.

 2. Your place or mine?     

Slumber! What did you think we meant?! Seriously though, you’ll soon suss out whose room everyone bundles into each night. This usually works on a rotation basis between a few regular hosts, or there might be one room where everyone crams their mattresses into.

If you’re the popular host, bear in mind that:

• People WILL help themselves to whatever’s on offer, so stash away your favourite biccies and anything else you fancy keeping for yourself.
• You’re likely to wake up to strange objects floating around in your water. Hang on, that looks a bit too colourful for water….
• Your room will NEVER be clean or look remotely tidy. But it will, at least, look ‘lived in’.

All the people who actually want to sleep will probably end up hating you. But that’s okay – your slumber buddies will keep you warm!

3. Fridge raiders

Can you imagine anything scarier than someone scoffing all your food for the week? Especially if that was your last cash until your next student loan instalment materialises? Unfortunately, this could be the nasty reality if you leave your food hanging around in shared fridges (and cupboards, come to think of it).

Living in halls is different to house sharing in the second and third years. You don’t necessarily choose who you live with in halls, so the chances are, you probably can’t trust them to not dig into your bumper pack of crumpets and prized pot of butter when they get a tad peckish at 2am.

So where should you store your fridge bits? It’s courteous enough to label your food and keep it all together. However, if this doesn’t deter the hungry, in extreme cases (and icy weather) you could always get a plastic bag, whack your milk, butter, cheese and all the rest in, and carefully hang it on the handle outside your bedroom window.

Just remember it’s there and to not suddenly open your window – especially when you’re a bit dazed first thing in the morning (unless you fancy slurping your morning cuppa through a straw from a chewing gum stained pavement).

 4.  Noisy neighbours

No one tells you what time to go to bed when you’re a student – who would DARE! People have different sleeping habits. People have different music tastes. People have different stereos. You can see where this is going…

Be prepared for noisy neighbours breaking into your quiet time, so you either need to:

a) Invest in some heavy duty ear plugs (try your nearest factory – seriously, do it.)

b) Gate-crash the party. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

c) Or… if you can’t join ‘em, hell – beat ‘em! We wouldn’t dream of advising you to blow your student loan on the loudest stereo in the world, but… if it means drowning out the noise…

 5. Weekend wilderness    

Sounds a lot like wildness, but trust us, living in halls at the weekend can mean the opposite, unless of course you’ve already planned a wild social schedule.

Surprisingly, a lot of students can’t wait to scuttle back to Ma and Da in the sticks at the weekend, so you can find yourself waking up to nothing more than the sound of a Blue Tit chirping outside your window (again, probably not the sort of wild you’re looking for).

Unless you have a weekend job to keep you (and your bank balance) sane, make sure you’ve got something fun lined up, because watching back-to-back Come Dine With Me and Man v. Food will soon have you climbing the walls (or gorging on takeaways and reduced oddities from the local mini mart). Either way, it ain’t healthy.

On that note, we hope this quick guide has given you some healthy tips on what to expect when you move into halls.

And stay tuned, because we’ll soon be sharing more tips to make living in halls even more super.

Mystudenthalls.com