Our Student's Experience - Accommodation in Hawkshead
It can be challenging to decide which Halls will suit you best, as each has its merits. Hear first-hand from our students about their time in accommodation to help you determine which is best for you. All information about RVC Hawkshead Accommodation here.
College Close, Hawkshead | Izzy
College Close accommodation is a collection of 17 houses, housing 6 people on the Hawkshead campus. College Close was an ideal fit for me because it’s only a short walk away from the lecture theatres and allowed me to live with people studying the same course as me. I chose to live here because of the location - I love that behind the accommodation is a collection of fields with horses and sheep, which are lovely to walk through with your friends after a long day at uni. College Close is also ideal for social activities. It’s close to the bar on campus, and the frequent RVC shuttle bus will take you into Potters Bar in 10 minutes, which makes going to the local pubs/shops and travelling into London very accessible.
The bedrooms in the house are cosy and spacious, and the kitchen is fully equipped with a large table to sit, socialise, and eat. In my experience, sharing 3 bathrooms between 6 people hasn’t been a problem because they are spread between both floors, so there’s always one free. Although I did feel nervous before moving into college close, knowing I was going to be living with people on the same course relieved some of my anxiety. Being able to share similar worries and concerns made my move-in experience very positive.
As a Fresher, I recommend bringing photos, blankets, rugs, etc., anything to make your room feel more like home. It helps to bring a bit of homelife to university with you. There is also a large pinboard for photos in the rooms, which is brilliant for filling the rooms with memories, old and new. In addition, College Close neighbours the sports centre and gym, which was ideal for sporting commitments during the year.
Student Village, Hawkshead | Darcey
Since moving from Camden to Potters Bar, I have lived in Student Village on the Hawkshead campus. Five friends and I were initially looking for private housing, but instead, we decided to apply for New Student Village together, as you can request people you would like to live with. Although not guaranteed, we luckily managed to move in together.
Despite our initial worries about not being by the train station and the high street, I can say we all love the location of the student accommodation. With the Student Village being on campus, we don't have to worry about getting transport to the university daily, particularly with the 9 am lectures. The free shuttle bus runs regularly and allows us to head into Potters Bar and to the train station when needed, so it's still accessible to get into London and socialising with friends in other locations around Potters Bar.
One of the main factors that swayed us into applying for Student Village is that bills are included. Especially with the uncertainty around water and gas prices, it's nice not to have the additional stress of splitting bills and not having to worry about putting the heating on. Although, as I've mentioned, I live with friends in one of the flats. I know many others who have applied and met people they wouldn't have if it weren't for living in the student accommodation here, giving an excellent way to make new friends. Another bonus that helped our decision was the ensuite- I mean, who doesn't love an ensuite?
As the accommodation is university-owned, I have found anything that would need fixing is quickly sorted without going through external organisations such as estate agents, again taking off additional stress. There is also a post room on campus, so it's nice to know you have somewhere your parcels can be safely delivered to if you aren't in.
My top tips for anyone moving into Potters Bar would be to ensure you are at least on one of the university bus routes; with NSV being on campus, this is another thing ticked off! Enjoy making the most of the country walks around campus, stopping off at the cafes for a break!