So, you’re all settled in at university (hopefully) and you’re looking for accommodation after halls.
Whilst it’s common for students to find a flat with their friends, it’s also becoming common for students to live on their own. These are my top 11 reasons why living on your own is waaaaay better than living with flatmates. Side Note: This is aimed at living alone during your penultimate and final year(s) of study. First and second year are just for bants…right?
The basic one – NO THEFT
Nobody can steal your milk or booze! (Basically, the 2 needs of any uni student).
Dishes when you want
There’s NO pressure to do your dishes within a certain time! You wanna leave that pasta bake dish for a week? GO AHEAD! Has that old pizza box been there for a month? WHO CARES! Although…You might not have many visitors
Decorate that shit
No more debating or negotiating if that poster of Kanye goes in the living room! AND, it’s not just your room you get to decorate, it’s the WHOLE flat! Cushions everywhere! Put a fluffy toilet seat on and enjoy the overload of scented candles. THE FLAT IS YOUR OYSTER.
No people
This is a good one. Y’know that feeling of having to avoid the flatmate you just had an argument with? Sneaking from your room to the kitchen just to get a bit of cheese? Well, now you don’t have to! You can stomp your f***ing heart out and the only person you have to possibly worry about is your neighbour!
Be a kitty gurl, get a kitty
So this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the freedom of having your own flat creates the option of getting a fluffy little friend. Both I and my old flatmate moved into our own places and it took around 3 months for her to get a dog and myself to get a cat. Although, you could opt for something that requires a little less responsibility, like a fish or a hamster.
LOOK HOW CUTE MY LIL KITTY IS
Be loud and proud
So you know before when you lived with people and you had to not make any noise at all past midnight or you would have the group chat to deal with? Well not anymore! No more worrying about talking too loud (or doing anything else too loud ;)) or waking anybody up if you accidentally smash a glass.
Focus on uni
This may seem a little obvious, but the amount of distractions that happen when living with others is pretty ridiculous. For example, a flatmate might throw a party the night before a deadline and you can’t just ‘not go’ because the party is in your flat. So whether you were planning it or not, you’ll end up at the party. Even something simpler like your flatmate coming out their room, you’re going to ditch your essay to have a gab…it’s compulsory.
More effort with friends
One main thing I found is that by not living with your friends, you make more of an effort to spend time with one another. So you're more likely to meet up for lunch or drinks because you don’t see each other a lot anymore, as opposed to bumping into each other and passing it off as ‘friend time’.
No (unwanted) drama
You ‘accidentally’ steal my milk, or even worse, my booze? There’s gonna be hell to pay... Especially when you lie or continue doing it even though it costs a whole quid for a carton and at least 4 quid for some cheap wine. Look, it’s not right ok. And those darn flatmates falling out whilst steaming and getting you caught in the middle? NAH, not dealing with that anymore thanks xoxo
Gotta wash those clothes
In my experience, I found one of the most IRRITATING things to be waiting on is that bloody washing machine! You would get into the mindset of doing some housework, getting your dirty laundry ready and them BOOM. SOMEBODY ELSE’S LAUNDRY IS THERE. Nu-uh not anymore. My laundry basket shall never be full again! (Not true, it’s always full).
You feel like an adult
Yes, you would still have bills and rent to pay when living with others but it's everyone’s responsibility, not just yours! It’s really not too hard either, and even though it’s free for students, remember to register your council tax. WELCOME TO ADULTING.
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