Back to University! It's all about the house.

It’s official… I love having a house! I have been in my new house for the past week and a half now and I’m starting to get into the swing of things. I’m just about to start my second year studying now so there is no Halls to return too. Although, admittedly, I do miss that place a little bit.

When I was driving down to move in I was so excited. Not the nervous excitement that you have in your first year of University (Fresher’s apprehensiveness), but an overwhelming sense of achievement. I’ve made it this far.

It makes you feel grown up. Having your own keys. It’s like when your parents give you the spare key when you’re younger. That key signifies something much more than just a piece of cut metal. It’s the representative of, not only trust, but the idea that you can do things on your own. The change between a kid and teenager. This is now what it feels like for me. I’m no longer a teen, I’m an adult.

I am fortunate to live with six bubbly, hilarious friends who I met in halls and not a day goes by that I don’t laugh. This makes it for me. Atmosphere in a house is key, and these guys create the best positive kind!

Our house (in the middle of our street…) is not huge, but it’s a generous size. It’s big enough without being over-facing, aka it’s easy to clean!

The bedrooms are a good size and I’ve enjoyed adding those touches to make it feel like home. Photo frames, pillows, books are starting to litter my side tables. It’s comforting. Especially living so far away from my actual home, the photos are the one thing that makes me feel as though my family and home-town friends are with me. I found doing this, creating my own environment, a lot easier than I could do in Halls. I have a little bit more freedom regarding putting things of the wall, like canvases etc.

It’s hard not to miss Halls a little bit though. You're first year of uni is such a special one that there’s so much sentimental value towards that place. Its emotional seeing fresher’s walking into the lobby and thinking “Are they going to my room?” like you owned it in the first place!

The one thing about my old Halls that I miss the most is the location. It was smack-bang in the middle of town so it was easy to get everywhere! The shops, the beach, the clubs, everywhere! We were also lucky enough to have a bus pass to get us to uni and other local places which was the best! But, although there’s a lot more walking involved, I like our house location too.

But I keep getting lost. I swear all of the streets look the same here! I spent half an hour walking around with my friend trying to find our way back… It was originally a five minute walk and I turned it into half an hour… Is that an achievement worthy for my CV? Probably not but I’ll get used to it!

We have a house, an actual house! A house which is a home. It’s not clinical. It’s not too big or too small. It’s warming.

So far this is a good start to the year and I hope that it will only go up from here. Fingers crossed! Enrolment is next week so the hard work begins soon! I will keep you posted.

Gee x