Freya Roberts

I chose to study Fine Art at Loughborough because the studio facilities were completely unmatched by any other university I looked at. When I visited, it was clear how much space and support there was for creative work, which was really important to me as an artist.

I also knew I wanted to study at a campus university. Loughborough has such a close-knit feel and everything is in one place, which made it feel really welcoming from the start.

I decided to return to The Holt because I really missed the atmosphere of living in halls. It is a lot more sociable than living in a house and there is always something going on around you.

The Holt is also in a really nice spot on campus. It is close to the Fine Art studios which makes getting to and from work much easier, especially when you are carrying materials or staying late in the studio.

One of my biggest worries before moving into halls was that I might struggle to make friends because I am quite introverted. At first it felt a bit daunting, but everyone else is in exactly the same situation.

Living in halls makes it much easier to meet people. You end up getting to know your flatmates, people in your block and others in the hall through events and everyday life. Being around so many other students means you always have someone to talk to or spend time with.

Everyone is sharing the same experience of living away from home for the first time, which makes it easier to connect with people.

One of my favourite memories from living on campus was Pancake Day. My flatmates and I invited some friends from other blocks in The Holt to come over and make pancakes with us.

It ended up being quite chaotic. Some of the pancakes were definitely undercooked and the kitchen was a bit of a mess, but it was such a fun evening. We finished the night by playing poker together which made it even better.

Moments like that are what make halls so memorable.

The best part of living in halls for me has been the chance to join the hall committee. It gave me opportunities I would not have had otherwise and it is a great way to meet even more people in your hall.

Being involved means you can help organise events and improve things for other students living there. It is really rewarding and also a lot of fun. It has definitely been one of the highlights of my time in halls.

Moving away from home can feel stressful at first, but you quickly realise that everyone else is in the same position as you. Once you start meeting people and getting involved in things, it becomes much easier.

My advice would be to push yourself slightly out of your comfort zone and give things a try. Go to events, speak to people in your flat and get involved with hall activities. You will make friends much faster than you expect and halls can end up being one of the best parts of university life.