I spent 4 years at Bristol Uni and like every other fresher I know I went into a Hall of Residence for my first year. I was fortunate enough to get the one I chose, and I was fortunate again that it offered some returning students the chance to go back for a 2nd year.

Why fortunate? Because I enjoyed the chance the stay in Hall for the 2nd of my 4 years. Some people stayed in for all their course, which I think is too much. Moving out of hall is a good chance to experience renting before you need to find a job...

But living in Hall in the first year is one problem less to worry about. No bills, usually, which can only help whilst you are adjusting to uni life. And of course, mates on tap! Get out and get involved with the hall social scene and you make friends easily - after all everyone else (bar the returners) are new too!

So Halls of Residence are great - they're a good introduction to what for many is the first time they've lived out of the family house. Then go and move on, although often you won't have a choice here, you'll have to go anyway!