So, you’ve just received your offer to study at the University of Nottingham for next year but you now need to pick your accommodation. Deciding where to live away from home for the first time can be daunting but hopefully, this guide can help you. I chose Willoughby, mainly because it was the best out of a bad bunch but after I moved in, I knew I had made the right decision. I met some of my closest friends and even, my boyfriend there which made my first year so much more unforgettable.
- WILLOUGHBY HALL
This might be slightly biased as I lived there in my first year (for about four weeks until we got kicked out) but Willoughby will always hold a special place in my heart. From downing shots in Vesper to hosting pres in the JCR, I have nothing but fond memories of this place. Plus, if you are a humanities student, it’s right next door which makes it handy for those tricky 9ams.
- BEESTON HALL
The one, true example of appearances can be misleading. Whilst the outside resembles a prefab, the inside is actually quite luxurious. I had the pleasure of staying in Beeston after being kicked out of Willoughby and whilst it does have the downside of not having its own dining hall, it actually has quite a good JCR which is always good when hosting pres.
- NIGHTINGALE
Has the best dining hall in my opinion, don’t think I ever had a bad meal from there. It is also so pretty inside but sometimes, random kids come onto campus and sit in the gardens playing music which is kind of off-putting.
- SHERWOOD
As my boyfriend lived in Sherwood during his first year, I have plenty of first-hand experiences with the place. One profound memory is being stuck in the shower and wondering why it stunk of poo? Turns out, someone had done a dump and put it on the windowsill, allowing it to marinate in the heat. Absolutely traumatising.
- HUSTU
An excellent all-rounder. It has the social side, an academic aesthetic and a solid food place (shoutout to the slushy and alcoholic beverage selection.) Heavily rah but certainly isn’t intolerable.
- DERBY
Echo @ Derby is responsible for draining a large majority of my meal card during the first year. The hall is probably one of the most sociable on campus so definitely worth taking a look at if you are considering Notts.
- CRIPPS
Again, super sociable halls but the food place seriously lacks. You are probably better off making the short walk over to Latitude for nicer grub. Lower Cripps rooms are especially nice.
- RUTLAND
A pretty average hall, and has a really nice dining hall but the food can be unpredictable.
- CAVENDISH/ANCASTER
I grouped these two together as I don’t really know much about them other than the fact that they are super close to humanities. I also park my car in Ancaster in order to avoid the pesky parking fines as it is kind of hidden!
- LINCOLN
A quiet but pretty hall. If you can’t hack the loud noises of your hallmates coming back after one too many at Crisis, this one is for you. Has the perfect balance between social and quiet.