The 9 essentials you’ll find in every student house
Wherever you live, you’ll definitely have all of these in your student house
The student house is a unique place with an undeniably distinct feel. But what is it that gives a house it’s ‘student’ quality?
Apart from the dulcet tones of alarms being snoozed and the record breaking number of tins in the cupboards, there are other characteristics true of so many student houses. Here are just some of the things every student house seems to have, giving them their recognisable air, and making them the best places to live whilst you’re studying for your degree.
1. A second-hand George Foreman grill
Your grandma insisted it would change your life, and goodness me she wasn’t wrong. From hangover curing bacon to your fifth toasty of exam week, George has had your back through thick and thin, making him and his grill a staple in the student kitchen.
2. An unused recipe book
‘Of course I use the book every day, Aunty’!
A less-loved figure in your kitchen, gathering dust alongside the garlic press (both presents from an auntie who clearly enjoys wasting money). Maybe you’ll graduate and have an urge to make Coq au Van, but for now you can think of much better uses for wine.
3. The communal blanket
Give me comfort or give me death
This blanket has seen it all; film nights, midday naps, all-nighters and hungover despair. No one’s quite sure who it belongs to (or when it was last washed) but you do know that it has a special place in each of your hearts, and will always be waiting for you when you get home.
4. A housemate no one likes
Something else that will always be waiting for your return. A certain someone popped into your head when you read that, didn’t they? And if they didn’t, it’s probably you. Regardless of your reasons to dislike them though, your irrevocably united in your house contract, so make the an effort not to let it show.
Cartoonish violence is definitely not the answer to solving disputes in the house. Here are some ideas of ways you and your housemates can come together as a house when the proximity is all getting too much…
5. The bin that’s ALWAYS full
It doesn’t matter how recently you emptied it. Yet again the kitchen bin is full and the outside bin is full as well. This despite all the ‘pushing it down to make more room’ that’s humanly possible. Now it’s time to think sensibly.
Maximise on space by taking full advantage of recycling bins and think about condensing things before you throw them away. Also, check you’ve got all the bins you’re entitled to, some councils allow houses with larger occupancy to claim extra bins.
6. Your collection of empty bottles
Yes, it’s impressive but I bet your liver hates you.
If recycling space is an issue, it can be tempting to let a bottle collection gather on your window sill or on top of kitchen cupboards. Although they may be a talking point when friends, and parents, come to visit, getting rid of them all at the end of the year will likely prove more hassle than they were worth!
To avoid this, keep your collection to a manageable level. Take your bottles to the supermarket which will likely have large recycling bins in the car park. This way you’ll keep on top of the mess and remain in blissful denial about how much your house actually drinks.
7. An overflowing noticeboard
Amongst the postcards from someone’s Mum and the million take away menus is probably a lot of vaguely important stuff no one’s bothered to read.
The notice board is likely an unorganised mess, noticed more for its chaos than its notices. Why not try devising a system for using the notice boards, like dividing it into sections with washi tape and taking things down every so often.
8. A pile of bills
If they’re not on the notice board, they’re in a pile on the kitchen table, often left unopened. To avoid any ‘I thought you’d done it’ situations, give your most trustworthy friend responsibility for the bills to make sure the pile is at least dealt with, even if it’s not tided away!
9. A bedroom everyone’s jealous of
It was the one that sealed the deal when you first viewed the house. Maybe it’s the biggest, the quietest, or has the best view; needless to say whoever takes it will be the envy of the house. To save arguments, picking rooms out of a hat can be the fairest way of deciding who goes where.
Together with your friends and all the memories you’re bound to make, its these things that ensures your student house is like no other place you’ve ever lived before or will ever live again.