Choosing my university accommodation
I have been accepted into 3 universities and as the end of
the academic year is approaching, I have begun to look at different university
accommodation for my first year.
Universities offer accommodation within the university for
all first year students, however I could not find anything that would suit my
needs entirely. The accommodation that was accessible to me, which was a choice
between two, was too small for my mobility needs, therefore I have started to
look privately at accommodation. My firm choice (aka first choice) university
area has a few options, such as studio flats and a one bedroom flat.
The accommodation for my firm choice university has been
difficult to find because there are not many options for accessible
accommodation. However, I have found studio flat accommodation with a ten minute
walk to the university.
The flat does meet most of my needs, such as having room to
charge and store my wheelchair, and the needs that can not be met at first
glance can be added, such as a shower chair in the wet room.
The comparison between the university offered accommodation
and the private student accommodation is big, for me, because the accommodation
is relatively similar in price, but the difference in the accessibility is
massive.
The studio flat accommodation is also within a dedicated
student accommodation block, similar to university halls, so I will still gain
some student experiences like meeting people as the accommodation holds events
to cater for this.
The accommodation also offers some extras, such as a gym and
a cinema room, which are included into the price, which will allow me to
socialise easily.
I hope this helps people to look around their prospective
and current universities for the accommodation, both university offered and
private, that best suits them.
