Living In Halls Wasn’t For Me – And That’s Okay

Amy Evans delves into her time living in Cavendish Hall: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Good thing she learnt a thing or two and can offer advice to freshers who may be struggling now.

‘I would cry at the thought of finding somewhere to sit or having to eat in front of others, so often it seemed easier to avoid it all together’

Communal living can be hard when it doesn’t live up to your expectations of making lifelong friendships and experiencing the ‘best years of your life’. Amy Evans reflects on her experience in Cavendish Hall, dispelling some of these popular misconceptions and offering advice to those who might struggle to settle in.

‘I had such high expectations that, when Cavendish fell short of these, I found it began to overshadow other aspects of university life’

Contrary to what’s advertised on the posters around campus, Cavendish never became my ‘home away from home’ as promised. I struggled to acclimatise and felt isolated. I was never told how difficult it can be to make friends, or how daunting it is to venture to dinner alone. It definitely wasn’t the glamorous start to university that I had envisioned. I think that is part of the problem. I had such high expectations that, when Cavendish fell short of these, it began to overshadow other aspects of university life. But I eventually realised that living in halls wasn’t for me…and that’s okay. While I was uncomfortable in my general environment, I didn’t let this discomfort extend to my room. Decorate, and allow yourself to settle in. Bring home comforts with you or utilise the shops in the city centre. I never owned a plant before moving to Nottingham. Now, I have five! Sometimes it is the little things that help to pick you up when you’re not feeling yourself. Like keeping milk in your fridge for a cup of tea or, if you are struggling to adapt to communal living, having some ‘just add hot water’ meals on hand. Although I won’t look back on my time in Cavendish fondly, I did love room 130. On that note, meal times were incredibly anxiety-inducing for me. Going down for dinner can be intimidating if you are struggling to make friends. Sometimes, I’d just avoid the dining room all together. I cried at the thought of finding somewhere to sit or having to eat in front of others. It was often easier to avoid it all together. It is isolating to feel like this, especially if you are struggling with your mental wellbeing. But, that’s okay and there are ways to mitigate this. Residential Assistants are on hand in your Halls between 6pm and 10pm each night and would happily accompany you into dinner if you asked. I know this because I am one! Are there other students eating alone? Try to join them. I met one of my closest friends in a similar way. However, if you are struggling and do not see any improvement, do not suffer alone. Reach out to the ResX Team either by telephone or email. They can offer you support or signpost you to relevant services. I have used the University of Nottingham Counselling Service and know that getting the right help can make a difference. There is so much more to university than your halls. Engage with others on your course, join societies, explore the city centre, and be open-minded. You can still have that wonderful university experience you envisioned – I know I have!

By Amy Evans

Contact ResX Telephone: 0115 748 7600 Email: resx@nottingham.ac.uk

How eco-frienly are we really?

To no University of Nottingham student’s surprise, our campuses have received consecutive Green Flag Awards for their vastly green and sustainable natural spaces. But not much is blatantly known about how this award continues to be accredited to the university. Nor about what more the university is planning to do to improve their sustainability status. Impact’s Science Editor, Daniel Conmey shares his insight.

All three of Nottingham’s campuses champion biodiversity, providing numerous diverse habitats for wildlife to inhabit. Regarded as one of the largest campuses in the UK, University Park boasts 300 acres of land that is inundated with water features, wildflower meadows, rolling grassland and long grass areas. All of which have supported the growth of different international plant species.

The main campus has also obtained the title of a Hedgehog Friendly Campus. Since the 1950s, the number of hedgehogs has fallen in the UK by 97% - from 30 million to an estimated 1 million as of 2020. Their populations have plummeted by 50% in rural areas and 30% in urban gardens. Consequently, hedgehogs are moving out of their natural habitats and into more dangerous places where they face obstacles such as road traffic, poisoning and reduced access to edible commodities. To tackle this, the Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme was established in 2019 to raise awareness of the troubles of hedgehogs while also taking action to improve the hedgehogs’ quagmire.

Over on Jubilee campus, numerous species of waterfowl, including herons, inhabit the three lakes surrounding the campus buildings.The lakes and drainage system on campus support biodiversity and are high in ecological value. Moreover, the campus contains a reedbed habitat – one of the UK’s most threatened habitats. school of Biosciences, and Veterinary Medicine and Science. The campus boasts a collection of native and exotic woodlands, which accommodate exotic trees such as the Field Maple, the Giant Fir and the Alpine Snow Gum. Yew trees of a potentially old age are also in Sutton Bonington.

On top of all of these green spaces, all three campuses recycle garden waste, aim to reduce the use of pesticides, avoid using peat, and use tree surgery for animals like wood-boring birds. However, are all these measures and natural areas enough to call our campus eco-friendly? How much do the consecutive Green Flag awards matter in the grander scheme of sustainability?

Arguably, the award is insignificant, as it solely makes a statement about our green space. The university has succeeded in maintaining large, open spaces across all campuses to support biodiversity. However, if the university wants to meet Nottingham’s target of being ‘carbon zero’ by 2028, then it needs to focus on more than just green space.

According to the Students’ Union (SU) Community Officer, Daisy Forster, “at this rate, we’re not going to be carbon zero by 2028”. Despite the university’s carbon emissions falling, it is not falling at a rate which is sufficient given the city’s target. Jubilee campus does have 5,250 square metres of green roofs that reduce rainfall run-off by absorbing 30 to 50% of rainwater and improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and emitting oxygen. However, this cannot be the only measure the university relies on to reduce carbon emissions.

While the green spaces, hedgehog friendly campuses, and green roofs are all great eco-friendly initiatives, there are a plethora of insufficiently acknowledged factors which need to be considered more carefully if the university wants to still be seen as environmentally friendly in a few years’ time.