University Halls

BitterAndTwisted

If you had signed a contract with a private landlord you would be in the same situation IF the landlord was amenable to releasing you from your contract should you find a replacement tenant. Not all private landlords are amenable. Stick it out until after Christmas at the very least. I don't think you've given your new situation much of a chance tbh. How long have you been at Uni, a couple of weeks? Lots and lots of young folk living away from home for the first time are feeling exactly the same as you are right now and most of them won't have parents an hour away so they've just got to get on with it. I think you should, too.

LandyAndy

Idiophreak wrote: »

I don't know about the legalities of this, but I'd strongly suggest you try and stick it out in halls.

Being away from home, making it on your own etc is a key part of the university experience. The homesickness will pass and you'll be glad of your own space soon enough.

paddyrg wrote: »

+1 for giving halls more of a go - it's where you will end up meeting a lot of your future uni friends.

If you do decide to move out, you will find a lot of people who have moved into shared houses in their second years who want to move back to halls once the reality of washing up and bills hits home - get postcards up and talk to the uni accom office before Christmas as the break before the new term is when a lot of that will get sorted

I agree. Your university experience will be so much the poorer if you live with your parents.

BigAunty

I appreciate your emotional problems, the big change to your life, and that at your age, it's probably one of the first contracts you've ever signed.

But your tenancy is a legally binding contract, and personal problems don't have to be accepted by the other party as a reason to cancel the terms. The University (any landlord actually) is under no legal obligation to even allow you to find a replacement tenant but some landlords are more flexible and permit the tenancy to be assigned.

So your options are to find a replacement tenant or remain there.
There is no third way or magic solution to your dilemma other than toughing it out or actively marketing your room vacancy.

Quitting university over unsuitable accommodation is pointless.

Owain_Moneysaver

Sarah-Ellen wrote: »

I recently signed a contract to live at university halls. However I have become very homesick and have decided as I live about an hour away by train that travelling will be the best option for me.

But that's two hours a day travelling that will eat into your studying time. And you'll probably miss out on a lot of socialising too.

Just take your washing home at weekends occasionally.

mustrum_ridcully

Stick-it out, it's all part of the university experience. Living at home might make university life even harder in the longer run making you feel even more isolated as you don't fit in (they're off down the pub after lectures and you're commuting home). The son of a friend of mine ended-up dropping out because by living at home (wanted to save money) he didn't seem to gel with his classmates and his course. He's now living away from home in halls and doing just fine.

Get involved with societies and sports clubs in order to meet people with the same interests as you be it film, music, sports, hobbies etc. Back when I was at uni (many years ago) it was almost compulsory to join loads of different societies at the freshers fair and then only take part in the activities of one or two.

LandyAndy

mustrum_ridcully wrote: »

Stick-it out, it's all part of the university experience. Living at home might make university life even harder in the longer run making you feel even more isolated as you don't fit in (they're off down the pub after lectures and you're commuting home). The son of a friend of mine ended-up dropping out because by living at home (wanted to save money) he didn't seem to gel with his classmates and his course. He's now living away from home in halls and doing just fine.

Get involved with societies and sports clubs in order to meet people with the same interests as you be it film, music, sports, hobbies etc. Back when I was at uni (many years ago) it was almost compulsory to join loads of different societies at the freshers fair and then only take part in the activities of one or two.

Which just reminded me that when I went to the freshers fair (Warwick 1975) there was 'The Winnet Society':rotfl:. I didn't join.;).

Idiophreak

lkmc01 wrote: »

I say move back to your parents as it will be cheaper in the long run anyway. Advertise the room out asap.....

Just because it's the cheapest thing to do, doesn't make it the "best"/"right" thing to do.

whitewing

One of my best experiences at Uni was the Debating Society. I never did the speeches - it was mainly law and English students who did that - but each Friday night we'd go and watch the debates. They were fantastic, we used to go as a group (one of my friends did law), and it was reall 'no-pressure' friendship. You couldn't talk much as you were listening to the debates but we used to wander down together and have a drink after, and always something to say about the debate subject.

Flibsey

try and stick it out, the first month is the hardest, but commuting while trying to study is even harder (believe me, I've done both).

do your halls have a common room? sitting in there can be a good way to meet people. also, get a telly in your room and let people know you're available for neighbours, eastenders, corrie and late night horror films. you'll have mates in no time.

university can be incredibly lonely, and if it's your first experience of living away from home it can be daunting too.


oh! another place to go is the chaplaincy office! no matter what your religious persuasion one of the best places to go for advice, cups of tea or just talks can be the chaplaincy. they're non-preachy and do excellent work.... ours (ARU chelmsford) used to do free food too, i don't know if they still do.

dodger1

lkmc01 wrote: »

I say move back to your parents as it will be cheaper in the long run anyway.

One hour each way on a train each day will be more expensive than the cost of halls, certainly in my area anyway.