I Lived Solo for a Year: My Top Tips for Living on Your Own at Uni

About the author: Hi! My name is Gabriella Farrugia. Alongside being a UniHomes Bournemouth Content Ambassador, I’m in my final year at Bournemouth University, studying Media and Communication, which I absolutely love. I enjoy good music, running along Bournemouth beach, recording my podcast, and, of course, writing about what have been some of the best years of my life.

For many students, moving into a shared house with friends is a big part of the university experience. From house parties and shared meals to having more space and people around you, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out if you’re living on your own.

I have just come out the other side of living in a studio for a year. I was surprised by the lack of advice on how to navigate living on your own at uni, so I thought I’d share my top tips to hopefully ease some anxieties.

Tips for living on your own for the first time at uni

Here are my top tips on how to live alone at uni.

Establish a routine

As you get used to living on your own, you’ll soon learn when you’re most prone to feeling lonely and when having personal space is valuable. Establishing some sort of routine from the get-go is really important.

For example, I allocated certain days for exercise, and every Tuesday I would go to my friends’ house for dinner. Having a routine stopped me from staying cooped up and feeling isolated. You’ll find that living on your own comes with a lot more planning, but you soon get used to it.

Study outside of your room

During second semester, I hardly had any scheduled contact time. I was working on my dissertation and completing most of my modules outside of uni. Discovering a nearby coffee shop was a lifesaver. Not only did it give me somewhere comfortable to work, but it also gave me an opportunity for some social interaction.

I couldn’t recommend finding places outside your room to study enough. Whether that’s a local coffee shop, the library, or a friend’s house, having somewhere different to work can make a huge difference and make you feel less lonely. It also means that you’re guaranteed some social interaction. You’ll find little things like a “Hello” or “How are you” start to hold more value.

Join a society

Joining a society is another great way to feel connected when you live on your own. I joined the BU Girls Running Society, and it was one of the best decisions I made. Instead of spending mornings and evenings alone, I was meeting like-minded girls and getting some exercise at the same time.

A society is also a great way to try something new or develop an existing hobby. Whilst I’m no Mo Farah, the society has really helped build my confidence as a runner in Bournemouth and elsewhere. Exercise is also especially important when you live alone, so it was a great way to naturally incorporate it into my week. Check out my attempt at the Global Running Day challenge if you need more convincing!

Have background noise on

My next tip for living on your own is to have some background noise on. As strange as it may sound, having some background noise on - whether that’s a TV, music, or a podcast - can really help. It gives you something else to focus on and makes your room feel much less empty.

My Fire Stick became my evening companion on the nights I wasn’t with friends. And, I finally got through all those shows I’d never had time to watch.

Stay connected to loved ones

Staying connected is even more important when you live on your own. I would schedule regular calls with my family, which gave me something to look forward to and a sense of home comfort.

I also made a point of booking in time to see my friends every week. This helped because it meant I always knew when I’d see them next and stopped me from isolating myself. It felt a little strange at first, especially after living with friends for two years, but you soon get used to it. True friends always return the effort, too.

Have days outside of your accommodation

I’m mindful that this next tip for living alone at uni isn’t always possible. University is busy, money is tight, and life sometimes gets in the way. But if you can, I’d really recommend setting aside some time each week to escape your room, even if it’s only for an afternoon. Whether that’s staying over at a friend’s house or exploring a part of your university town you haven’t visited before, a change of scenery can make a huge difference.

I was lucky to spend every other weekend in Portsmouth, where my boyfriend was studying. The change of scene was invaluable. It left me feeling refreshed and gave me some much-needed in-person company.

Prioritise your mental wellbeing

Everyone has a different experience when it comes to living on their own. Regardless, looking after your mental wellbeing and making time for things that bring you joy should be a priority. Every day, try to do something that makes you smile. For me, that was heading down to Bournemouth Beach to say hello to the goats.

Living on your own also doesn’t mean you should suffer in silence. I’d recommend familiarising yourself with your university’s mental wellbeing services should you ever need them. I accessed mine throughout my degree, and they were a brilliant form of support.

Is it better to live alone at uni?

It’s up to you! Living alone at uni isn’t stupid, but you need to know how to take care of yourself and your wellbeing along the way.

Ultimately, living on your own gives you a skill set many people never have the chance to develop. You’ll become more independent, resilient, and confident - skills you’ll take with you long after graduation.

Need to find a one-bedroom accommodation?

UniHomes work with letting agencies across different university towns and cities to help you find your perfect student home – with bills included. What’s more, UniHomes offers a range of properties for solo living, including flats, apartments, studios, and even houses.

So, now that you’re armed with my tips for living on your own, check out UniHomes’ range of properties today!

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.