Once upon a time, there was a student who rushed into a housing contract with people they barely knew. When it was time to live with those people, the student realised their mistake. Loud music blared at all hours, mould appeared on the ever-growing pile of dirty dishes, and bills caused tension to linger for days. The student was lonely and wished they had taken the time to find the right housemates. This student could be you.
As we settle into the first semester, it is only a matter of time before the housing rush sweeps through Sheffield. Every year, freshers feel pressured to secure their second-year house as soon as possible, often forgetting the significance of the people who will share that house with them. With so much to consider, from HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) to utility bills, it is often your choice of housemates that gets brushed aside, resulting in compromise rather than being given the full thought it deserves. However, this decision about housemates can be as vital to your social, academic, and financial life, if not more so, than your choice of accommodation. There are plenty of ways to find suitable housemates, not just good friends, and avoid the dreaded second-year housing curse.
For some students, the housemate hunt is simple – you have been lucky to find housemates already. Maybe you want to stay with your first-year housemates. Maybe you have plans with other students on your course. Maybe like-minded society members have agreed to house-share with you. But for many, the housemate hunt could be an overwhelming task throughout autumn and winter. One second-year student said, “I think that I was lucky with the people I’m living with, but it did feel quite daunting entering a tenancy agreement with people I hadn’t known for too long.” The fear of missing out causes pressure to build, often leading to decisions to settle for housemates who you don’t know quite as well as you thought you did.
Forget the myth that all of the good housing will be gone by Christmas and spend time getting to know not just whether someone is a good friend, but whether they are a good housemate. University of Sheffield Accommodation Office Manager Daniel Capewell says, “Students can often feel under pressure to secure their second-year housing as early as possible, but one of the unique things about Sheffield is that there’s no need to rush. The city has a wide range of student accommodation to suit different needs, so there’s plenty of time to settle into university life, explore Sheffield, and get to know new friends before signing a contract.” Instead of spending all of your time searching, prioritise having fun and joining in at this stage. Society socials or university-led events could be the key to finding suitable housemates. If you don’t have housemates after Christmas, Capewell advises, “For students looking for housemates, Smart Move Sheffield hosts Housemate Finder Events from March to June and offers an online message board to help them to find like-minded people to live with.”
Finding the right housemates could be a major source of support when second year rolls around and workloads increase. Research at Liverpool John Moores University showed a drop in academic performance in second year, reflecting the infamous ‘second-year slump’ in action. Personal well-being has to be a top priority, and your choice of housemates could relieve academic stress, or be an additional weight on your mind. Disagreements within households are inevitable, but being unable to discuss those issues can create bigger conflicts out of small frustrations, adding to stress already brewing over assessments. Friends won’t necessarily work well living together. Differing opinions around sleep schedules, cleaning rotas, guests coming over, and noise levels are okay between friends, but tension rises when housemates are unable to negotiate these factors. Ultimately, compatible housemates will be able to support each other through difficult times, whether that be talking through concerns or giving each other space when needed.
Like well-being, finances can make or break a second-year house. For those of us not lucky enough to secure the easy fallback of university-owned accommodation for a second year, a range of housing options awaits. There is the possibility of cheaper rent, cheaper bills, and of more money saved in your bank account. Until the monthly utility bills need paying and your unreliable housemates are late with their payments again. The fantasy of secure finances won’t play out when their missed payments might fall on you. A student explained, “We found it a lot cheaper to do our bills separately, rather than bundling them. As the bills are in my name, I’m ultimately liable for paying them, but we do have an agreement where we will all pay an equal share. Everyone does pay their share eventually but sometimes I have to chase even after it’s left my account.” Finding people you can go out with might have been the priority as a fresher until the real world comes knocking. Reliable housemates beat good drinking partners any day. Conversations about contributions, payment deadlines and responsibilities are best started before you settle on housemates, and might keep your savings safer.
Most importantly, you should spend enough time with your housemates to know that your year living with them could be fun and comfortable. That doesn’t mean that you have to see them weekly, just enough to know them as potential housemates. Have serious conversations when needed, but also go out just to enjoy each other’s company, whether that be a bar crawl, a movie night, or a meal out. So, this November, resist the pressure to lock in a set of housemates as soon as the temperature drops. Get to know your people. Then, one day, maybe you will be lounging in your pyjamas, enjoying The Celebrity Traitors together, far from the nightmarish second-year house curse.
Image credits – Edith Partridge
