How To: Make Your Uni House A Home

Moving out is one of the biggest things I've ever done. Moving into halls was scary but so exciting. And now a year on I can safely say that so far, moving out is also one of the best things I've ever done. 

It's not easy. I wasn't ever much of a home-bird when I was younger, I didn't ever have a problem being away from home. But in my first few weeks of uni I was homesick for the first time ever. 

Something that definitely helped me overcome homesickness (other than time) was making the space around me, mine. Filling my room with my things and making it a home from home. 

I've recently moved into my house for second year with a few of the people I lived with last year. For me, the most important thing was to make this house a home as quickly as possible. 

I lived in the house on my own for the first few days and that was made so much easier by how homely my room and the rest of the house was. 

So I have a few tips and ideas about how to make your uni room/house as homely as possible to make your transition that little bit easier! 

1. Your living space 

Being sociable and spending time with friends is something that makes being away from home so much easier. Having a space that you want to spend time in makes doing that so much easier. 

These little touches can make the house feel so much more homely and most importantly- yours. 

2. House Plants

I've had this Peace Lilly since the beginning of last year. It's super easy to look after and there's something nice about having a plant in the house. It gave me something to look after in halls and now it just adds to the room. 

3.  Fairy Lights 

These are literally two empty jars with £1 Primark fairy lights in them. Personally I hate having the main lights on in a room, I find them too harsh and bright. So I decided to scatter these jars, a lamp or two around our living area. This gives such a cosy atmosphere and is super cheap and easy to do! 

I've also got a couple of sets of these fairy lights in my room which makes it feel so snug especially at night. I prefer to work from my room instead of in the library so for me it's really important to create a space I want to spend time in. 

4. Photographs & Trinkets 

Before leaving for uni my friend and I collated as many photos as we could and went to Boots.

 Boots do so many good deals when it comes to bulk printing of photos. I definitely recommend using their services so that you can create something like this in your new room. Although it's quite a lot of effort to put them up it is so worth it. Nothing makes a room more personal than the faces of your friends and family plastered all over it! 

Admittedly I will probably not touch any of these things for the duration of this year. But having these things from my room at home make it feel so much like a home from home. 

I hope you've enjoyed this little post. I'm loving living in a house instead of a flat and I can't wait to see what my second year in Sheffield brings. 

'til next time,

Hannah xo 

Lessons Of A Fresher

Well, it's been a while!

The last year has honestly been one of the scariest, most exciting, eye opening experiences of my life so far.

From crying for 2 1/2 hours on the car journey to Sheffield in September out of fear of the unknown, to crying for even longer on the way home a couple of weeks ago after spraining my ankle on my last night out- nice one Hannah- it has been a year I won't ever forget.

It's true that being a 'Fresher' is something that you will have never experienced before- unless you're one of my flatmates who is going to be a fresher again this September - jealous is an understatement.

You're away from home, surrounded by thousands of new people, places and opportunities. There are no rules, no one else to be responsible for and no one telling you what you have to do.

As I and many others learnt very quickly, these things can be a blessing and a curse.

Living in University Halls is something that I would recommend to everyone who wants to meet lots of new people, have all of their friends within a 5 minute walk away and and always be within 2 minutes of a pre drinks.

It is so surprising how quickly your little room becomes home. Once you find your routine and get to know the area, you get used to being away from home so quickly.

I haven't ever suffered with homesickness, I have always been confident being away from home- but I have to admit, a few weeks in the feelings hit me.

The best thing you can do when feeling homesick at uni is speak to the people around you. Everyone misses home- some more than others and in different ways- but everyones is in the same boat.

Once the homesickness had passed, I felt so comfortable living away from home that it often didn't cross my mind. I still missed my family but speaking to them over Facetime helped that!

So, if you're off to university this September, some of these points might give you a little insight into what being a Fresher is about!

10 Lessons Of A Fresher:

1. Be yourself- You have the chance to completely reinvent yourself however you want. No one knows you and this is your chance to leave behind everything that outlined you before. Your flat will get to know you pretty quickly too, so being yourself from the start makes that a lot easier!

2. Make your room yours- take plenty of photos and other bits and bobs from home that are in your room and pad your room out with your things. It will feel odd at first but once everything is in place the room will quickly become yours and it'll be very cosy.

3. Go to the Freshers' Fairs and see what things are on offer- even if you don't ever end up joining anything, go and see what there is to do. Joining a society was the best thing I did this year at uni and I regret not joining it earlier!

4. Set up UNiDAYS and NUS accounts and exploit the discounts whist you can- there is nothing better than a good discount, in my opinion. Especially when your budget allows for next to nothing as it is. If there is a deal on somewhere in your area- you will know about it.

5. Explore the city you're living in- I am so glad that I spent the time exploring Sheffield and getting my bearings. See what is going on in and around the city. Some of the best days were ones exploring new places and going on day trips.

6. 40% - 'nuf said. If you don't already know, you will do within the first few weeks of uni what this means, LIVE BY IT.

7. Don't feel rushed into sorting accommodation for second year- there are more houses than students. If you know who you want to live with and you can find a good place that everyone likes then its a good deal! But don't be rushed, you will feel the pressure but don't panic.

8. Say yes more- I don't mean give in to peer pressure. If there is an opportunity for a day or night out, a trip, an event, a job or volunteering opportunity- take it. What have you got to lose?! You'll meet new people, go to new places and that is exactly what going to university is all about (especially in first year).

9. You WILL make friends- unless you actively try not to, there is no way that it won't happen. Don't worry about not meeting anyone with things in common with you, thats what societies are for! And you're already on a course with a hundred people who like the same subject as you. I was lucky enough to make good friends with several people that I lived with and before you know it you get to know all of their friends too. You go from knowing no one, to seeing at least one person you know every time you leave the flat.

10. Don't wish it away- I can't believe how fast this year has gone. I can remember feeling sick to my stomach worrying about my A Level results and whether I'd gotten in. Now a whole year has gone by. WHAT.

The first few weeks will be hard, for a number of different reasons. I went to uni with the mindset that I would give it a good shot and knew that if it wasn't for me I could leave at any point. Thats what being young is about, giving it a go and seeing whether it works out for you.

So enjoy it! Make the most of it and be sure to take a lot of photos because these are the memories that you'll hold on to.

I hope you enjoyed this post!

If you have any more questions about uni & living away then let me know!

'til next time,

Hannah ox

A Sunny January Day

It was Michael's last day off work after Christmas when we woke up to this beautiful blue sky.

We couldn't not make the most of it! 

So I decided to pitch the idea of driving to Woodstock to have a walk around the gardens of Blenheim Palace.

This is the view as you first drive through the gates and down the driveway. I couldn't help but wonder how magical this place would have been for someone to live a few hundred years ago.

We walked around the lake, do not be fooled, despite the sun- it was FREEZING! 

We then grabbed some lunch and a hot chocolate in the cafe before taking a walk up to the Pleasure Gardens which is perfect for children! 

There are giant out door games such as chess, and a maze which we eventually managed to find our way out of! As well as an adventure playground. 

Blenheim Palace would definitely be a perfect summer holiday day out! 

The butterfly garden was closed (not that I would have gone in anyway as that kind of thing scares me lol) but I'm sure if you're into that kind of thing it would be lovely! 

It cost us £10 each to get into the park and gardens for the day with student discount which we felt was definitely worth it. (This was also on a bank holiday Monday which online it says concessions don't count but definitely worth a try!) 

The gardens were stunning, and as you can see it was edging towards 4pm at this point and the sun was setting. 

It was the perfect time for a lakeside walk! 

There was still an exhibition on which meant there was all sorts of different lighting displays and things all around the grounds which was really beautiful.

We also noticed that they had turned the boathouse over the lake into a lovely little Santa's Grotto, which might be something to think about for next year! 

As you can sort of see in this photo, there were hot chocolate, mulled wine and roasted chestnut stalls all around the grounds too which gave such a nice atmosphere. 

And the waterfall was just lovely!

We definitely made the most of this lovely day, I would definitely recommend visiting Blenheim Palace if you get the chance or fancy a spur of the moment day out! 

This definitely blew away any January blues we had.

'til next time,

Hannah xo