The rate of students dropping out of university is a rising statistic, with 39405 students dropping out in 2021-22 (Bryson, 2023) although for a multitude of reasons it is easy to admit that the feeling of missing home and not settling in pays a large part in this statistic. Ultimately, becoming accustomed to university life is an important, yet difficult, task.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Christopher Wyatt, a student at Falmouth University doing Esports who is living in student housing during his second year. Originally, he is from Bristol, so moving to Falmouth was a substantial change for him.
Christopher, who prefers to use the name Chris, enjoys University and has discovered himself by coming to Falmouth. Although he mentioned that student housing can sometimes be less than ideal, I discussed with him all the ways he makes his student house feel like a home.
“So where is it that you are currently living?”
Well, I am living in a house in Penryn with three of my friends. It’s a four-bedroom house, pretty close to where I lived in my first year actually! And I am on Penryn campus too, which is nice, it’s a close walk and near plenty of bus stops if I’m ever feeling lazy. With bus prices going up though, I’d rather walk ha-ha.
“And are you enjoying your new place more or less than your first-year accommodation?”
It is hard to say because I enjoy the feeling of freedom in my new home, because I stayed in student flats that had security and office staff, but I certainly do not feel as safe as I used to. There are no automatically bolted shut doors or tall metal gates to keep anyone out. There is also a lot more responsibility with bills and stuff like that, I liked it when it was all neat and tidy in one payment every few months.
“What about the people you live with? Do you like them?”
Yes, thankfully I get along with them great. I have heard some proper nightmare stories from other people but no, I feel like I have made friends for life with the people I live with, and I can see myself talking to them for a long time.
“In your own experience, would you say that living with people you like shapes your experience more?”
I’d definitely say so. In first year, there was a bit of drama in our flat, so to live with people I like makes it feel better. A bit more homely. I can be comfortable and be myself.
“And does your house feel like home to you?”
It definitely took a while to settle in, whereas in the first year I settled in faster. Maybe that’s because we do not have unlimited heating this time round. Part of me also misses my mum’s home cooked meals. And they were free, which was nice. But university is not too bad and the people I live with make it better.
“Have you done anything else to make your house feel like a home?”
Well, there’s only so much we can do without breaching our housing contract, but we have hammered a few things into the walls that we shouldn’t have and used a bit of blue tac where we aren’t allowed. I think the organized clutter we currently have going on makes it feel less empty. It could be tidier but none of us seem to mind too much.
“What kind of clutter do you have?”
We have a collection of sea glass on our dining table, to start. I think things like shoes near the front door and personal belongings being around, coats on the doors and stuff, make it feel less like just a house and more personal. Like we actually own it. That’s one of the biggest things for me, I’d say.
And also, bedroom decorating was a big thing that helped me settle in. Like getting my TV in the room and posters on the walls. My own bed sheets helped me feel a bit better too.
“What would you say is the most important factor to making your house a home?”
The most important thing. Mhm. That’s hard. Probably the heating though, to be honest ha-ha. The house we live in is so so cold and so it feels less like an arctic box when we crack the heating on for a little bit. Especially with how cold it’s been recently. Cornish weather is no joke.
“Do you prefer Cornwall to the city life?”
I really love Cornwall. I like the fact that I can explore such a beautiful place with my friends, I love the beaches, I love surfing, and the Ice cream is pretty ideal too. Fuck the seagulls though.
“Would you say that immersing yourself in the culture of your university town has helped you settle in?”
I would say a little, the town of Falmouth is a really nice place and doing local stuff has helped me to enjoy it here even more. Especially for Falmouth University, it’s so much more than just coming to Falmouth. It’s having the whole of Cornwall on your doorstep to explore.
I’m sure the same applies for other universities though. A whole new town to discover is an exciting thing. Unless you’re at Cardiff. Kidding. But no, yeah immersing yourself is important, it’s definitely helped me.
“And do you have any advice for people about to start university, how can they feel more at home.”
Do things that you enjoy. Watch movies in the living room with your friends, if you get along with them. It’s easier when you feel like you have a family at home with you. Bringing personal belongings that are important to you also makes a difference. Having traces of yourself around the house is a nice reminder that you belong here, and you are in a place you know, that’s home.
Also, starting a new hobby can be a great way to associate positive new memories with your new hometown, finding a book club for example. Even better actually, joining a society can be a great way to do it because then you can meet like-minded people who are sure to also be missing home.
The most important thing though is to remember that everybody at university is in the same boat and that it’s normal to miss home, but it will be okay, and you will eventually find a new sense of home in your new place.