After you’ve decided on a course and an institution, the next step is to consider your housing choices. This is a big step for most of us as it will be the first time we will be living on our own.
Hence, it is all the more important to ensure that you chose the right place to stay during your tertiary education. Let’s take a look at what you should keep in mind while looking for student accommodation.
Student accommodation is a place where one stays while completing their tertiary studies in an established university.
The majority of universities will provide students with lodging assistance. They will offer information on a variety of housing alternatives and their related prices, as well as access to student housing databases and assistance in preparation for your relocation.
In general, there are a few types of housing you can choose from:
These are individually furnished bedrooms organised around hallways or apartments with a common kitchen, makeup halls or hostels, which house hundreds of students.
Bathrooms are sometimes shared as well, however, en-suite rooms are becoming more popular. The majority of first-year students are assigned to university-managed housing, which has its benefits.
They are usually run by a university or in collaboration with a third entity. The quality is often excellent because they must adhere to national regulations.
New students who are living away from home for the first time are particularly fond of halls, as it is easy to budget into their living expenses.
Living in halls puts you in the heart of student life because they’re usually located on or near campus. It’s a fantastic method to meet new people and participate in social events.
While your room may be modest, all the amenities you require are typically available on-site, and the university housing team is available for emergencies.
The only downside with this type of housing is that you don’t get to choose which room you get or where it is located.
Another option is to reside in a privately leased property, which typically sleeps four to five people. Most students, especially those in their second year, but even some first-year students, take this route.
The layout is similar to university halls – you have your own room and use shared spaces such as a kitchen or TV room but it is run by a private firm or owned by an individual. There may be studio flats available as well but these are usually on the pricier side.
One benefit is that you get to select who you live with, which can enhance your experience.
Another advantage is that you’ll have more options for where you want to reside. Although you’ll live further from school, most university cities’ main student districts are well-served by public transportation and a plethora of shops and restaurants.
If you’re thinking about going this route, make sure you evaluate your budget. Take into account additional bills as well as upfront fees and money for on-site amenities.
Your university’s housing staff can assist you in locating suitable housing. It’s a good idea to go see the homes you’re interested in before signing up to make sure everything is in working condition.
Many students prefer to live at home since it allows them to save money. Depending on how much you receive in student aid and your total budget, this may make all the difference.
You may be afraid that this would limit your opportunities to meet other students. However, while it will take a little more work and organisation, you will be able to meet plenty of people both in and outside of your lectures.
Of course, living at home will only work out if your college or university is not too far away. As such, this is not an option for those who are from different towns or states.
Here are a few tips to help you in your search for the perfect student accommodation:
One of the most important things to remember is to properly study each lodging choice. You can attend open days in your university, where there will be tours of the on-campus housing.
Ask as many questions as you want to the housing consultants and also see how the living spaces actually look like.
You can make a checklist of the items you want in your housing. For example, bedroom size, bathroom situations and more. You want to avoid being frustrated after signing paperwork and receiving keys when you discover that you’ve neglected a big issue or will incur additional costs once you’ve moved in.
One of the first things you’ll need to do is think about your budget. This will assist you in sorting through your lodging alternatives and deciding what is best for you, whether it’s a college, a privately owned apartment, a homestay, or a shared house with friends.
Another thing you want to take into consideration is the location of your accommodation. It’s crucial to consider this as you want to spend less time walking to places and more time doing other things, like studying or other activities.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when you’re assessing your housing location:
When it comes to finding a place to stay, organisation is important. This entails submitting on-campus housing applications on time.
Don’t search for where you’re going to live for the semester at the very last minute. This gives you less time to access the pros and cons of your options. Additionally, you will usually be left with the not so nice options if you procrastinate.
Here’s a list of questions you can ask when renting a place to stay for your tertiary education:
We have student accommodation for all of our students on both campuses. There is an on-campus convenience shop and internet access accessible. Our rent is inclusive of electricity and water chargers.
There are also a few options you can choose from.
For example, if you prefer staying alone, you can rent a single room.
Our hostels are located within a walking distance from our campuses. This makes it convenient for our students to reach their housing as they can just walk back and forth from classes. Of course, this gives them easy access to campus amenities and facilities such as the library.
Additionally, all of our housing is equipped with 24 hours surveillance and security. We will always prioritise our students’ safety before anything else. Students can also reach out to a representative from our Student Service Department (SSD) if any assistance is needed.
To apply for our on-campus student accommodation, you will first need to check the availability of placements in each of our respective campuses.
Next, fill in the form which can be downloaded from our website and send it to the person in charge of accommodation on respective campuses.
Do note that a booking fee is required upon confirmation of availability. This fee will be used to balance the rental payment for the period when you check in. However, if you cancel your reservation, you will not receive a refund.
Finally, to confirm your acceptance of accommodation, contact our staff before the start of the semester. There you can schedule a time to pick up your keys and move into your room.
You should apply for housing with us at least 4 weeks before the semester commences.
Applying for housing, a month in advance, will give you more time to be prepared and organised. You will also have a higher chance of actually getting a spot in the on-campus accommodation as most of these are given out on a first come first serve basis.
Moreover, if there are indeed no spots available, you will have ample time to look for other options.
Our university will also help and provide you with a list of private accommodation options around the area.
Consider all your options as well as your budget when choosing your student accommodation. Remember, you will be living there for at least a year so you definitely want your room to be comfortable and conducive for studying.
If you want further assistance in making a selection, don’t hesitate to contact your university. They will be able to propose some nearby lodging options for you and answer any queries you may have.
For more information, you can contact UOW Malaysia KDU here.
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