Living in catered accommodation: my experience and essential tips
By Vivien, from Malaysia, studying Civil Engineering (MEng)
The perks of catered accommodation
One of the biggest advantages of living in catered accommodation is the sheer convenience it offers. For someone like me, who prefers to avoid the daily grind of cooking, it’s an absolute lifesaver.
There’s no need to worry about buying kitchenware, grocery shopping (seriously, carrying two full grocery bags up to your room can double as your daily workout!), or meal prepping. Everything is taken care of.
Another great aspect is that the pantry comes equipped with essential appliances like a microwave, toaster, and kettle. So, if you ever need a break from catered meals, it’s easy to whip up something quick and comforting like a bowl of instant noodles or some peanut butter toast.
It’s the best of both worlds—having the convenience of prepared meals while still having the option to make your own snacks whenever you want.
Top tips for moving into catered accommodation
If there’s one thing I learned quickly, it’s that bringing a drying rack is an absolute must. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. Many of your delicate clothes, like wool sweaters, can shrink in a dryer (learned that the hard way with some of my wool sweaters!), so having a drying rack allows you to air-dry them safely.
Plus, if you’re into sports or have a hectic schedule that requires washing clothes frequently, a drying rack is super handy for drying items quickly without relying on the communal dryers. Remember to buy laundry pods instead of traditional liquid detergent for your washing, as liquid detergent can be messy to pour into a front-loading machine.
How does catering work?
Meals in catered accommodation are served at the John McIntyre Conference Centre (JMCC) in Pollock Halls. They have fixed mealtimes, so it’s important to plan your day around them:
- Breakfast: 7:15 am to 10:30 am (weekdays)
- Brunch: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm (weekends)
- Dinner: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
(Note: these times and options may change in future)
Breakfast is consistent, offering a classic English breakfast, but weekends bring some variety with delightful additions like fried rice, muffins, and pancakes. If you want to know what’s on the menu for the week, the University posts the yearly menu online, which is super helpful for planning whether you’ll eat in the hall or elsewhere.
View catered accommodation menu
Personally, some of my favourite meals include the pan-grilled salmon and chicken, paired with garlic bread and mushrooms (the classic duo). These meals are the highlights of my catered experience.
When you move in, you will receive a key fob that grants you access to the catered hall. Along with that, you will get a pouch containing essential cutlery like a spoon, fork, butter knife, and teaspoon. It is your responsibility to bring this pouch to every meal and wash the cutlery afterward. If you happen to lose it, you can get a replacement, but there is a fee, so it’s best to keep track of it!
What I wish I brought
For those in ensuite catered accommodation, this one’s for you! I have a bit of a shampoo and soap obsession, and my collection of bottles quickly piled up. The small shelf provided in the bathroom wasn’t nearly enough to hold everything (it can only fit about two bottles), so I highly recommend bringing a shower basket. It’s a simple addition, but it really helps keep everything organised and within easy reach in the shower area.
Catered worries
Before moving into catered accommodation, one of my biggest concerns was making friends. Since most of us spend a lot of time in our rooms, I worried that it might be hard to connect with others.
However, I quickly discovered that the food hall is the perfect place to socialise. It’s where everyone gathers, making it easy to strike up conversations and meet new people. You’d be surprised at how quickly you can make friends just by sitting down with someone new at dinner.
Ways to socialise with your neighbours
Building a sense of community with your neighbours can be both fun and easy. The ResLife team frequently organises house events and socials, like movie nights, games nights and cultural festival celebrations, which are great opportunities to meet people and make friends.
Joining a Freshers’ group chat on WhatsApp or WeChat and your house’s Facebook group are great ways to stay connected and keep up with upcoming events. And here’s a tip you might not expect—doing laundry together can be a surprisingly good bonding activity! It’s a great way to strike up conversations and share stories while waiting for your clothes to dry.
How to make your room feel like home
Making your room feel cozy and welcoming is key to enjoying your time in catered accommodation. To bring a sense of home with me, I brought along some of my favourite soft toys. I also decorated my room with fairy lights and filled the walls with postcards and photos of friends, which instantly made the space feel more personal and inviting (be aware you can only attach things to your noticeboards, otherwise you may be liable to damage charges if the walls are marked).
During the winter months, I even set up a Christmas corner in my room to help combat the winter depression. One of my favourite additions was a foldable table with a furry carpet underneath—it became the perfect spot for friends to gather and do manicures or just hang out.
For my study area, I invested in a monitor, which made my workspace much more efficient and enjoyable to use.
Final thoughts
Living in catered accommodation has its quirks, but with a few personal touches and some thoughtful planning, it can truly feel like home. Whether it’s making the most of the communal areas to socialise, or adding little decorations to brighten up your space, these small efforts can make a big difference in your overall experience.
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