For most of you, going to university is also your first experience of living away from home, and while this can be exciting to have your own place and first taste of independence, it’s also expected to feel a little homesick. Especially after the madness of freshers has calmed down and the real work has begun.

One of the best ways you can combat this is by making your space comfortable and ‘homely’. Making your room your own with personal touches will make it feel much better!

1. Play by the rules

Each accommodation will have different rules around decorating, so make sure you check these carefully before you start putting things up on your walls. If you’re allowed, a few posters or pictures can brighten up your room in a matter of minutes. Most accommodations have pinboards in the bedrooms anyway so you can add what you want to that!

2. Get cosy

A few throw pillows or a small rug will make your bedroom feel like somewhere you can relax. Soft furnishings like these can be picked up super cheap from shops like B&M, Home Bargains, Primark etc. If you're in a student home rather than halls, I recommend buying a ‘renter friendly’ curtain pole and popping some curtains up in your room - this can help if the blinds don’t keep much light out and make it feel cosier.

3. Picture perfect

It’s nice to have a few small reminders of home around you. Get a few of your favourite photos of friends and family printed out (I always use the app ‘FreePrints’ for this as it’s super quick and affordable!). You can pop these in cheap frames or even make a photo collage.

4. Light it up

This is a student bedroom cliche, but a few fairy lights do go a long way! They don’t cost a lot and can make a room feel much more welcoming. Even adding a small lamp can make things feel more snug when it’s time to wind down before bed.

5. Green fingers

Having some greenery around can brighten up a room too. Succulents are especially cheap to buy and are very low maintenance, even getting fake ones (if you aren’t the best at looking after plants) just adds a bit more colour to a room.

6. Pillow talk

Try (if you can) to get in the routine of making your bed every morning - it takes seconds to do but you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes. It’s also nice to come home from a long day at uni to a nicely made bed!

7. What a load of rubbish

Make sure you bring both a laundry basket and a wastepaper bin - and use them! These help to keep your room tidy and come washing day, you’ll be thankful you have something to carry your washing in.

8. Keep it clean

Don’t let cleaning jobs get on top of you. Try to do at least one small job a day, whether that’s tidying your desk, doing your laundry, hoovering your floor etc. - this way you don't spend all your time cleaning and you’ll feel better for it.

9. Many hands make light work

Keeping shared spaces clean can be tricky, so it’s really important to set some standards early on. Speak to your flatmates and make sure everyone’s on the same understanding, this way you’ll avoid any arguments if people aren’t pulling their weight later down the line.

10. Retail therapy

If you need homeware for the shared spaces in your halls, speak with your flatmates or take a trip altogether so you can decide on exactly what you need and split the cost.

11. No more kitchen nightmares

Try to make sure everyone is allocated their own fridge space and if you’re going to share things, make sure everyone agrees to it in advance so they know when it's their turn to stock up. If you want to use your flatmate's things, I’m sure they’ll let you, just make sure you’re asking beforehand as lack of communication can make things quite difficult.

12. Al fresco settings

If you have a garden or balcony, you might be able to put your own spin on the space. If you like plants, you could add a few of those to brighten up it up, get some cheap garden furniture so there’s seating for you all to sit together, lanterns, flags, garden lights etc. - anything that will encourage you to spend time outside together!

Creating a sense of home in your student accommodation can really make your uni experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Using any of these tips and tricks, from personalising your space with photos and decor, to establishing a routine and engaging with your flatmates can transform a simple uni room into a nice, relaxing space for you.

Your environment can play a significant role in your well-being and academic success, so take the time to make it your own. With a little creativity, your uni room can really become your home away from home!