Kick off the new year with this guide to Halls Life

Whether you’re new to the city, new to uni life, or just finding your feet after a busy start to the year, you’ve got support around you from day one. This guide covers what to expect when you arrive, who to speak to if you need a hand, and a few easy ways to settle in quickly.

What to expect when you arrive

On arrival day, the main thing is getting checked in smoothly so you can get the boring bits done and start making your space feel like home.

• Go to your halls reception first to collect your keys, then head to your room (some halls sites have more than one location or postcode, so the reception is your first stop).
• Use the correct address for your halls site when planning your journey, so you do not end up at the wrong entrance.
• If you’re arriving by car, you’ll be given a parking permit on arrival to display while you unload.

If you’re unsure about anything on the day, ask at reception. That’s what they’re there for.

Meet the people who’ve got your back in halls

You are not expected to know everything straight away. There are a few different teams in place, so you always know where to go for help.

• Res Life Cycle supports students throughout the year, including out of hours, and runs hall-wide campaigns and activities to help you meet people and build confidence living independently.
• Residence Life Assistants (RLAs) are based in your halls community and put on events and sessions to help you settle in and meet others.
• The Student Hub can help with accommodation queries, fees and finance, plus support if you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need pointing in the right direction. You can contact them 24/7 by email (studenthub@soton.ac.uk) or phone (02380 599 599).

Find your people (without it feeling awkward)

Starting mid-year can feel like everyone else already has their routine, but loads of students are in the same boat. The quickest way to feel more settled is to get yourself to a couple of low-pressure things early on.

• Check the Halls Life Events listings for what’s coming up across sites, from relaxed socials to wellbeing-style sessions.
• If you want to meet people beyond your building, keep an eye on Students’ Union events too.

You don't need to throw yourself into the deep end; it's fine starting small (a drop-in, a casual activity, anything with snacks) and you’ll soon feel a difference fast.

Explore Southampton when you get the chance

Southampton is a proper port city with loads to do once you start wandering, from landmarks and theatres to places to shop and eat.

Getting around is straightforward too. Buses like Unilink and Bluestar connect campuses and the city, and you can access all routes in Southampton with your bus pass (included in your halls contract for UOS-owned halls within Southampton). You’ve also got easy access to trains and even ferries for a change of scene.

Keep this tab in your back pocket

If you ever catch yourself thinking “surely there’s a page for this”, there probably is. The A-Z of Halls Life pulls together a lot of useful info in one place, from arrivals to laundry, safety, maps and local area tips.

Welcome to halls, and welcome to Southampton. Take it one day at a time, say hi to the people around you, and lean on the teams here whenever you need to.