Moving into your Halls
The countdown to arrivals is on!
You’ve confirmed your accommodation – now what?
Moving in
If you have been allocated a place in Cardiff Met Halls, we stagger the arrival dates over several days, the weekend before Welcome Week. You’ll receive an email with all the details a few weeks before your contract begins.
Arrival dates for Cardiff Met nominated halls may vary depending on the location, but the process is usually quite similar. Your provider will provide your move-in dates well in advance for you to plan accordingly.
What to bring
You will probably already be thinking about what to bring with you. Here is a list of essentials to get you started:
- Photo ID and important documents (visa, student finance details copy of your birth certificate or passport)
- Enough money to last until your student loan arrives
- Bedding (check your bed size first)
- A throw or blanket
- Clothes and some hangers (don’t forget a warm coat)
- Storage boxes
- Hot water bottle
- Towels and a bathmat
- Toilet rolls
- Toiletries, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo/shower gel, soap
- Basic cleaning supplies (washing up liquid, surface cleaner, sponges/cloths & laundry detergent)
- An extension lead
- A laundry bag
- Enough food and snacks to get you through your first few days
- Crockery and cutlery
- Can opener and some basic cooking utensils
- A couple of saucepans and a frying pan
- A basic first aid kit (paracetamol, plasters, cold and flu tablets, regular medication if required)
- Laptop and stationery
- Chargers
- Things to personalise your room: photos & decorations
- If you are bringing a bike, remember a bike lock
- Board games, cards or a games console for nights in with your flatmates
What not to bring
To keep everything safe and hassle free, please avoid bringing the following items:
- A kettle
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Fridge*
- Air Fryer
- Portable heaters and heated drying racks
- Candles and burners
- E-bike or E-scooter batteries are not allowed inside the accommodation due to the risk of fire.
- Pets – sorry you’ll have to leave your pet at home!
Exceptions:
- If you require a mini fridge to store medication in your room, please contact us in advance and provide supporting medical evidence.
Top Tips:
- You don’t need to bring everything at once, start with the basics and give yourself time to settle in.
- If you forget something, you can always buy essentials from Ikea, B&M or local charity shops after you move in (check for student discounts).
- Take spare plates and crockery from home (so they don’t get confused with anyone else’s).
- If you’ll be sharing a bathroom, we recommend bringing some sliders, a bathrobe and washbag.
- All electrical items must carry the correct CE safety mark.
Meeting your flatmates
Most people will be nervous, even if they don’t show it. Don’t be afraid to say a friendly hello and introduce yourself; this can break the ice and make you feel less nervous.
Leave your door open, this makes it easy for people to say hi as they are passing.
Games can be a great way to break the ice, classic games like Monopoly or bring a pack of cards and play a game of poker.
There will be loads of Welcome Week events happening, including Freshers Fair, so why not go along with your flatmates and get to know one another better?
Finally, always be yourself. You don’t have to pretend to like drinking if you don’t like drinking or to like politics if you are not interested in it. The best way to make friends is to be yourself, so you know they’ll like you for being you.