De Montfort University is one hour from Birmingham, so I’d be living away from home, but I could come home every weekend and sometimes during the week depending on my timetable.
The main accommodation was split into two areas; there was a main lobby where the management office was and their front desk.
There is also the means to receive post in our own post slot, which is a better system than at Solent University.
Students’ rooms are in another part of the building and can be accessed through an automatic door.
The automatic door is controlled by an electronic keypad, which can be used from a distance, which is much easier for me to use.
Between the two blocks of the accommodation, there is a central garden. Admittedly it wouldn’t be good in the winter but on odd sunny days, students would be able to relax and socialise there.
An added bonus is that there is a ramp going up to it, meaning I can sit in the garden with my friends and other students and socialise like everyone else.
The inside of accommodation is accessible. I found it easy to navigate in my proposed bedroom as well as to the kitchen and laundry room.
My room is spacious and comfortable, and bigger than the one at Newman University but smaller than the one at Southampton Solent, the perfect size.
I would be able to spread my things out, but it still easy to personalise. There are already all the necessities in the room; a bed; chest of drawers; wardrobe; shelves and a computer desk, and still plenty of space to move around easily.
This particular en-suite was huge, really spacious; there is a toilet with handrails to enable the user to stand with assistance, a height – adjustable sink and a walk in shower. There are also lots of places to put my toiletries.
The en – suit was all flat access, there were no bumps or lips. I can be hoisted from bed into the bathroom and be wheeled straight into the shower without difficulty.
To access the kitchen, I would have an electronic keycard, similar to the kitchen door at Southampton Solent. The kitchen space is big, everything easy to access; cupboards and shelves at a level which I can use relatively. Independently.
Being able to move around the kitchen with ease and at my own leisure is great for my confidence. There were also height adjustable work surfaces, which also increase my independence.
The management of the accommodation is extremely friendly and helpful; they listened to my needs and agreed to do everything they could do to help.
They informed me that one of management team was contactable at all times. This made me feel a very comforted and relieved. All the bedroom doors are on a magnet causing them to close slowly then click quietly shut.
My bed will be placed on the back wall of my bedroom which I feel will decrease some of the noise level.
There is also the added bonus that the flat only accommodates 7 other students. So only the people living in my flat will have access to it.
This is really going to reduce the noise levels and makes me feel much more confident about sleeping at night.
The halls of residence is about a ten minute walk from the university, then from the accommodation to the city center it would be about a twelve minute walk.
This was reassuring, as I won’t need to catch a taxi unless it is pouring down with rain. There are two city centers, which are both vibrant and have a lot of student influence; this makes the drinking opportunities higher, which is good.
One town center is smaller than the other and had very few shops, the other is more modern with a lot more shops, and all appear accessible.
There are a small range of supermarkets in which I could do my shopping, close to the university and the accommodation.
I knew for a fact there were fast food shops, such as one of my favorites, Domino’s pizza (the fact it was open until 5am made it even better).
There were plenty of perks in becoming a student and living in the halls now that I come to think of it.
The Life of Sophie 