Community from day one

Living on campus meant that I was surrounded by people who were in the same boat as me, which made it easier to integrate into university life.

During freshers, all hall committees organise welcome activities and socials which gave me a chance to make friends beyond my course-mates. Being around so many people made it feel like I was part of a community from the get-go.

I strongly believe that being in a positive environment is key to thriving both academically and personally, and the accommodation on campus really stood out to me. The wide range of accommodation options available and learning how living in halls contributes to the student experience definitely influenced my decision. Having the opportunity to live on campus and easily meet new people made me feel more confident about moving so far away from home for university.

Living on campus has made balancing my academic work and extra-curricular commitments so much easier – I am just a short walk away from lectures, the library and study spaces. This means I can get to where I need be quickly and it helps me manage my time more effectively. 

I chose to return to halls due to the convenience offered. As an international student, I didn’t have to worry about getting a guarantor that sometimes comes with looking for accommodation off-campus – this took a lot of hassle away. Returning to halls, I felt more connected to university life, and I was closer to academic facilities too. When returning to halls, my friends and I were able to request rooms close to each other, which I found great!

Support and friendship

Community, friends, and support make halls the heart of the university experience.

I was initially worried about settling in and making friends, especially since it was my first time living away from home. However, once I moved in, those concerns quickly disappeared. The welcoming environment, supportive Hall Warden team, and organised activities made it so easy to connect with others and feel at ease. 

During my time in campus accommodation, the support has been incredible. Whenever I got locked out of my room or had any concerns, the Hall Warden team provided reassurance and guidance and made me feel supported. Cleaning and security staff were friendly and helped maintain a comfortable and safe living environment too. I have felt cared for throughout my time. Loughborough does a lot to prioritise student wellbeing and personal and professional development.

My biggest advice is to embrace every opportunity that comes your way. I was very introverted when I first arrived at university, but there are so many ways to get involved; whether it’s attending hall events, joining societies, or coming along to International Students' Network activities!

Living on campus is a fantastic way to meet people from all around the world and build a support network that truly cares about you. Not everyone meets their forever friends in their first week at university, so don’t fret if it takes a while to meet the right people. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out if you need any help – there are so many people that genuinely want to support you - from the Hall Warden teams to student ambassadors. Most importantly, take your time to adjust – everyone's journey is different, and it’s okay to feel homesick sometimes. With time, campus will start to feel like a second home.

Making your decision

When choosing accommodation, think about what matters most - location, culture, catering, or room style.

I chose to study at Loughborough University because of its strong reputation for academic excellence, supportive community and vibrant student experience with consistently high student satisfaction. Additionally, the beautiful campus really stood out to me!

I was in David Collett during my first year which provided catered food twice a day. As a first year who did not know how to cook at the time and didn’t have much time away from socialising and academics, I found this really convenient. In my second year, I moved to Hazlerigg-Rutland, a much smaller hall that was self-catered (and my favourite hall so far!). I now live in Claudia Parsons hall, which is modern and feels so welcoming. My room is bright and spacious, and the view of the hockey from my kitchen is great. The common room is fantastic to study or socialise and I love having friends over! 

It’s 100% about what suits you best, so read up on the accommodation website, visit open days if you can, or ask current students about their experiences on Instagram. Also, be speedy when selecting your room choices, as the options can sell out very quickly! If anything goes wrong, contact the accommodation team – they were so helpful for me.