How to ease tensions in your student house

Fun ideas to reunite the group without breaking the bank (or each other’s faces)

Does it sometimes feel like you only see your housemates for brief chats while the kettle boils? Are unspoken tensions starting to build? Are you spending more time in the library to actively avoid that growing pile of washing up and the passive-aggressive conversations about where the milk is mysteriously vanishing to?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

It’s February. You’ve reached the half way mark on your house contract, the novelty of living with your best friends is starting to wear off and you’re too far away from the end of term to simply ignore any niggles and grudges.

While a social calendar based around drinking and clubbing is undeniably great fun, it doesn’t take a genius to know that alcohol and conflict isn’t the best mix. Instead, I have a few suggestions of ways to spend time with your house that will ease tensions and get everyone talking, while not breaking the bank.

Happy New Year!

Why not go out as a house: take yourselves out of your normal situation and experience some light and colour.

In 2018, Chinese New Year falls on Friday 16th February, meaning cities across the country will be hosting celebrations this weekend that you can get involved in.

Birmingham’s China Town will be alive with festivities including lantern displays, street food stands and free shows. Meanwhile, other cities are marking the new year with smaller scale events for you to get involved in.

If you’re not in Birmingham, break out the rail card and join the celebration!

Bristol’s City Museum is throwing a two-day celebration, including dancing and Kung Fu demonstrations.

Or, for a more relaxed weekend, use the occasion as an excuse to catch up with your housemates over a Chinese take away or by making your own fortune cookies.

Bounce back or put arguments on ice

If you’re looking for something more energetic, trampoline and inflatable parks are a great way to get out of the house and let off some steam and bond again.

With obstacle courses, climbing walls and slides, your friends and you can forget about the stresses of uni by reverting back to your inner children.

Birmingham: www.boingzone.co.uk
Bristol: www.airhop-bristol.com
Nottingham: www.planetbouncetrampolinepark.com

Alternatively, play out your Winter Olympic fantasies with a group ice skating trip. Whether you’re practically Torvill and Dean, or you’ve never successfully lapped an ice rink without falling over, this activity is bound to get your house laughing. It’s important to remember though that some people’s banter has limits, and if one friend ends up soaking wet on the floor for the tenth time, it might be best to swap the jokes for sympathy and a hot chocolate.

Watch it!

For those who prefer to spectate, attending a sports match is a great way to unite as a house in support for your favourite team. Whether you head to the sports centre to watch your housemates’ weekly sports fixtures or secure cheap, last minute tickets to a local football or rugby match, you don’t have to be on a footballer’s salary to enjoy live sport.

Although sport can be enjoyed all year round, the Six Nations is currently being fought out between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and France. Head down to the pub and breed some friendly rivalry with your friends from around the country over this exciting rugby tournament or share in the joy of England (probably) winning!

Feed it!

Finally, if finding a mutually convenient time for a house day trip is just too much hassle, sitting round a dinner table for a home cooked meal is the perfect way to regroup, catch up and talk about any issues that people have been harbouring. Check out our guide to hosting the perfect Christmas dinner for advice on how to make a big meal, whatever the time of year, run smoothly.

And just remember there’s a reason you chose to live with your housemates and arguments over washing up and taking out the bins shouldn’t get in the way of that.