Moving to university, whether you are going into your first year or heading into a new one like me, always brings a level of excitement and stress. The anxiety that creeps in while packing, saying goodbye and the long (or short) journey can all stir some feelings of uncertainty about moving or returning to university. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first year or not; leaving home never gets easier.
However, those feelings can mellow out as you realise everyone is in the same boat – new routines, new people, new experiences and for many, new accommodation!
Opening the door to your room for the first time, or just the first time that year, is a big change – a start of a new era. Standing in a space that could be your home for your entire journey at uni, completely bare and ready to be decorated does really makes me think about the fresh start it offers. It’s the perfect opportunity to create a place that keeps you focused and consistent all year round, not just in those first few weeks.
To me, putting away the never-ending suitcases and boxes, while also juggling new flatmates and the newfound freedom (or curse) of independence, feels like a trial period of living on my own. Enjoying the comfort and quietness of my room and going to the gym with some friends are just a few ways I like to make use of CODE’s resources. It quickly became a starting point for meeting new people, finding things to do when bored or just a place where you can relax.
There’s honestly something for everyone here. You’ve got community areas with pool tables and table tennis if you’re up for a bit of friendly competition, study areas for when you can’t be bothered walking all the way to the library, and loads of fun activities to take your mind off the workload. They even put on free events throughout the year like bingo nights and sip and paint, which are always such a laugh.
All the things you find at CODE transform university from a scary new chapter to a place you don’t want to leave at the end of the academic year.
Zara
Coventry University, Undergraduate 1st Year
