Moving to uni is the scariest and most exciting thing I’ve ever done. Moving away from home can be a seriously emotional experience, especially if you’re missing home. When I first moved to halls, I was keen to make my shell of a room feel more like home, and I have picked up some tricks along the way.
1. Make your bed feel cosy
This was probably the most important aspect for me, because if you can’t feel cosy in your own bed, how are you meant to survive late nights and early mornings?! I like to use white bedding with colourful blankets to brighten up my room. When you move into halls or private accommodation, I think it makes a huge difference to have a mattress topper on your bed. Mattresses bought for accommodations are not always the most comfortable, which is why I like to bring a mattress topper to add squishy comfort. Ultimately you will spend about half your time in bed asleep so you want it to feel warm, safe and secure. It’s also a great way to make your room look stylish with nice blankets and cushions. Find a colour scheme and roll with it.
2. Bring photos, postcards and posters
It’s likely that you will be given a pin board and it’s nice to decorate this with lots of fun things, like photos, postcards and posters. Not only will the photos add a huge amount of colour and interest to your room, but they will bring you so much joy because of the memories you associate with them. Whether your eye catches a photo of your pet, a loved one or just a beautiful place you visited, it will make the world of difference to your room and to your day. Even a nice poster of Harry Styles could make your day!
3. Bring cosy blankets and cushions
Blankets are a must for uni. Whether it is to keep you warm at night, or to act as a cozy cover whilst you chill with your friends it’s a must have. I bought mine in Home Sense before coming to uni and it is one of my favourite home comforts in my room. Having a fluffy cushion not only makes your room feel like home, but is also the best thing to cuddle up with on a gloomy day.
4. Display your post
I don’t mean display your Amazon delivery boxes, but if you get sent any cards in the post from loved ones, it’s a nice idea to display them in your room. In first year, I attached mine to the wardrobe so that when I was working I could see them. It’s a lovely way of having a reminder of home without actually having to see people’s faces if you find that too emotional. It is also a nice idea to send post cards to your closest friends from home, so you can see and hear what they are up to at their uni’s if you end up going to different places. Post cards also tend to be fairly cheap so are a nice, wholesome way to keep in contact with friends.
5. Bring things from home that make you happy
Whether it’s your favourite plant (or a small collection of them), a diffuser that smells like home, a magic 8 ball or a book of memories, bring it. Uni is full of ups and downs, so it’s really important that you bring things with you that make you feel happy and comforted.
The bottom line is, decorate your uni room in whatever way makes you happy, you’re the one living there!