Moving out for the first time to go to live in student accommodation at university is an exciting opportunity! However, we know that this can still be overwhelming. We spoke to Terri, the resident warden at our Parkside House accommodation to get her top tips for moving away for the first time.
What are your top tips for someone moving away for the first time?
Give it time, you are going to have ups and downs but that is completely normal. Everyone is going to be going through the same thing, but everyone will take their own time to settle in.
Exchange numbers with your flatmates and new friends so you can check in with each other or go exploring the town. You can also walk to the big Tesco together; everyone needs to go shopping and it’s better with company!
It’s also important to have space on your own if it’s all been a bit fast paced and overwhelming. Get comfortable with saying ’I think I’m just going to chill out in my room tonight, I’ll see you tomorrow’. Everyone will have times when they will appreciate that space!
You can also make use of the study & social zone! It will be a hub for meeting new people and having change of scenery.
What is something that people don’t expect about moving away?
I think that most students will agree that budgeting is something they didn’t expect to be so important. Making your income last until the next pay date is not easy, especially when that bank account looks big and juicy! The HEART team can help you learn how to budget effectively and make your money last longer.
What are the most important things to know about living in Parkside House?
The most important thing to know about Parkside is that with good communication and respect for each other it very quickly becomes a really supportive community!
I’m always happy to hear suggestions or new ideas for ways to improve your experience and will always find time to have a chat if you need support or advice about something.
Parkside students are really lucky to have facilities like the study zone and the dance studio available whenever you need them, as long as you are mindful of the time of day or night.
How can students create a sense of community?
WhatsApp groups are key for keeping up with events and get-togethers, there will also be a community board in the study zone where you can fill in a card and leave a notice like ‘anyone interested in starting a 5 aside football team?’ ‘does anyone want to share lifts to SWSC or Loxton?’.
The HEART team also plan lots of events and mixers throughout the year so get involved!
What tips would you give students who are new to cooking?
If you are new to cooking then attend the workshops organised by HEART, you also get free food to take home! We can also give you easy recipe cards to follow.
Most importantly if you are new to cooking always stay close by what you are cooking and learn temperature control to avoid burning things! Never cook when you are drunk and don’t cook late at night when you are tired!
Moving away from home can be stressful, how can people access support if they need it?
Everyone will have bad days, where maybe things have got a little bit stressful and hard to manage. Even though it feels like you are the only one struggling, you are absolutely not on your own and these feelings are completely normal!
The HEART team is available to talk and offer all kinds of support, they can be found in room 017 in WG or the booking links can be found in the Parkside guide or on the study zone notice board, you will also find links to helplines for outside office or warden hours.
Find out more about our accommodation by clicking here! If you’re ready to take the leap and move away, then you’ve still got time! You can still apply for September 2025, click here to find out more about clearing at UCW!
If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available in the Weston College Group here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College Group has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College Group is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.
