Written by the Residential Life Assistants team at Queen’s Accommodation - sharing real insights on finding balance, belonging and community at uni.

Settling into university can be a daunting prospect and each year can feel a bit like you are starting over again but we have put together some tips that may help you to feel at home and settle in more easily. 

Saying yes….but also saying no 

Often when you start university for the first time, you hear that you need to say yes to everything in order to make the most of your time in university. Our advice would be to, of course, try to say yes to as many new experiences as you can. The next few years are a great opportunity to try new things (often at a fraction of the usual cost), however, what is also equally as important is saying no to the things that don’t feel right for you. It is really important to take time to rest and understand that you don’t have to complete your entire university bucket list before Christmas – you absolutely have time to take things slow if that works better for you. 

 

Find your niche 

In the same breath, it really helps if you can find activities that you really enjoy doing and base your social life around those. For example, if you don’t like drinking, that is completely fine and there are plenty of social activities that can happen during the day where you might find people who feel the same way. Or if you enjoy sport or going to the gym, maybe ask someone to go with you or join a club where you can meet people with similar interests. 

Build a routine that works for you 

University life can be busier than you expect so it really helps to establish a good routine early on. Get good sleep, drink lots of water and eat foods that make you feel good and you’ll have more energy to keep up with the spontaneous nights out and early lectures. And if you need a night off from socialising, that’s fine too. 

Community Starts at Home (a.k.a How Not to be That Flatmate) 

You don’t need to be BFF’s with your flatmates, but you do want to make your communal areas a space people actually enjoy being in. Being a good neighbour starts small: wash your dishes (before they grow an ecosystem), ask before borrowing their oat milk, and maybe throw in a “what’s the craic?” every now and again. Respect is mutual - if you bring good vibes to your flat, it makes living together a lot smoother.  

It’s also worth considering the wider community around Queen’s. Belfast is home to thousands of students but it’s also home to children, families and elderly people who think quiet nights in are just as valid as big nights out. Think about noise levels on weeknights, take bins out, and don’t leave the other half of your post-club snack on the pavement. Community begins at home but it doesn’t stay at home.  

Plugging in: The Bigger Picture at Queen’s  

Community at Queen’s doesn’t stop at Elms Village or your second and third year house - it stretches into every corner of campus. Societies aren’t just for joining in freshers’ week and forgetting about; they’re a great way to feel part of something bigger - something meaningful.  

There are also plenty of chances to give back - like volunteering with Handy Helpers or mentoring at Homework Club, both incredible projects that run straight out of our Students' Union. Employers love to see it, but more importantly, it’s a way to ground yourself into life in Belfast and make an impact beyond your degree. And hey, building connections now (whether through clubs, volunteering, or networking events) is basically planting the seeds for what’s next - you never know who will end up being your colleague, boss, or the person who gives you your first big break. 

Learn more about life in Queen’s Accommodation and connect with your Residential Life team here.

By Residential Life Assistants (Jemima and Isobelle) at Queen's Accommodation