When you first begin university, what becomes apparent very quickly is that your flatmates seem to be able to make or break your experience. While this may or may not be true, your new flatmates will be a big part of your first year life and potentially your second, third, and fourth too! So whether you are a new first year who has just moved into halls, or a returning student who has not seen their flatmates all summer, we could all benefit from putting in extra time with the people we live with to ensure some good old-fashioned household bonding.
The first thing to do, which I cannot stress enough, is to decorate any shared living spaces! Whether that be your kitchen that doubles as a living space (we all know how Edinburgh flats can be) or your living room, decorate it as soon as possible. No one wants to hang out in a cold, dark room that looks like no one has lived there in years. By putting up the cheapest fairy lights, posters, and candles that you can find, your flat will automatically spend more time together. Creating a space where you can all come together and feel comfortable is so important when trying to make a new flat feel like home.
Hosting dinners is such a fun way to use your newly-decorated space and get everyone involved. University students can make an occasion out of pretty much anything and a flat dinner is the perfect way to put effort in with your new or existing flatmates. And there are so many ways to make it creative. You could try choosing a theme, a potluck, or trying a new cuisine!
However, not everything has to be so planned as a dinner party. Simply joining each other on a night out, a trip to the shops, or walking to class together can help to break the ice and create friendships. It is good to remember that friendships take time, so try spending casual time together to really get to know your flatmates. The best flatmates are the ones you can spend all day doing nothing with, or accompanying them around on their seemingly boring errands. So, although it can seem scary, next time you are going to grab a quick coffee or checking out a new place, there is no harm in asking them if they want to go with you.
By making both formal and casual efforts with your flatmates, you open yourself up to the possibility of friends for life. Living alone for the first time with people your own age can make for some of your best years, so value the friendships you make and continue to put in the effort, because it will pay off!
Image by Antony Hyson Seltran on Unsplash