Student residences offer both single and shared accommodation. Essentially, single accommodation is where you can live on your own, while shared accommodation is designed for several students to live together.

Each has its own advantages, which can make it difficult to know which is best for you. If you’re faced with that choice, here are some of the best features of each type of accommodation to help you make the right decision.

Advantages of individual accommodation

You’ll enjoy a social life to suit yourself

Between going to lectures, attending classes, attending lectures and doing team work, enjoying time alone can be very enjoyable. University life will see you spend 90% of your time in the company of others and while this is part of the great thing about being a university student, it can also be exhausting.

You own your own space

Individual accommodation in student accommodation also gives you the freedom to have your own space without asking someone else’s permission. You can decorate a bit, leave your belongings where you feel most comfortable, or even do the dishes at the end of the day without anyone asking you to do it first.

In other words, you can take control over what things are where, how and when.

You will avoid domestic arguments

As we explained, in individual accommodation, you will be the one to impose your own rules. Therefore, you will avoid the typical domestic arguments about keeping the kitchen clean, tidying up the living room after being there or respecting each other’s space in the fridge. Living alone, you simply won’t have to deal with other people’s rules.

You will develop more self-management skills

It’s good not to have someone telling you what to do, but that also brings some new challenges. For example, it’s great not to have to wash the dishes immediately after eating because no one will ask you to do it, but if you don’t develop the ability to take charge of yourself, you will end up living in a mess.

Living alone will teach you how important it is to be responsible for your actions and your daily routine. It will also prepare you for the challenges of the future and make you more self-reliant and independent every day.

Advantages of shared accommodation

You will meet new people

By choosing shared accommodation, you won’t know who your roommates will be, so you will have the opportunity to meet new people. This could be the beginning of new friendships and the building of new support networks.

In turn, your new friends may introduce you to their other friends and you will be able to expand your network far beyond the university.

You will reduce the cost of rent

Paying for shared accommodation is often cheaper than paying for single accommodation. If you are looking to save some money, shared accommodation can be a good option for you. Also, in case you and your flatmates want to buy some appliances to share, you can split the cost and save together.

You will always live in a community

Shared accommodation offers the opportunity to live in the middle of all the action. Your flatmates will come and go at different times depending on their class schedules and other activities, so you’ll always find someone passing through who will have something to tell you about their day.

You will also bump into your flatmates in the kitchen, living room or dining room. This communal living will make you interact constantly and develop more socialisation skills.

You will develop more awareness and respect for others

Living in shared accommodation makes it easier to put yourself in other people’s shoes. For that reason, even if you are not asked, you will be more willing to keep the kitchen clean, keep your belongings in order and listen to music at a rational volume.

It is simply a matter of doing for others what you would like others to do for you. Or avoid doing things that you would mind someone else doing.

In student accommodation, the decision to live in single or shared accommodation is completely personal, so it’s up to you to think about which one appeals to you more. We recommend that you take into account your personality traits and preferences to make the right choice.