Paying it forward in student accommodation

Did you know that acts of kindness towards others can have a positive impact on your own wellbeing? They also help make shared a living a much nicer experience for everyone involved.

Being kind doesn’t have to mean grand gestures; often it’s the small, everyday things that have the biggest impact.

Here are some ideas for being intentionally kind in your accommodation:

 

Kind words

When you spend a lot of time with the same people, it can be easy to take their positive actions and traits for granted. Take a moment to comment on something you appreciate about your flatmates, whether it is their sense of humour, culinary skills, or the fact they always remember to take the bins out.

If you miss the moment, try leaving a sticky note on their door, send them a quick message, or bring it up in person later.

Kindness isn’t just reserved for your besties and flatmates. A simple “thank you” to accommodation staff such as the people cleaning and fixing things around your accommodation is a nice thing to do.

 

Sharing is caring

Made too much pasta? Noticed your flatmate has run out of milk halfway through making breakfast?

Sharing what you have, especially food, can be a simple way to brighten someone’s day. It can also help reduce waste and save money. Try being the person who lends out a charger or offers an umbrella when your flatmates are in need.

 

Take notice

One of the kindest things you can do is to simply pay attention.

Showing a genuine interest in the people you’re living with helps create a more supportive and kinder environment. Ask about someone’s day, remember important dates and check in afterwards.

This can also help you spot opportunities to help before someone has to ask. If your flatmate is stressed about deadlines, you could offer to wash up after dinner. If someone seems a bit down, invite them for a cup of tea or ask if they’d like some company.

 

Be a considerate flatmate

Some of this falls under the category of ‘being a decent flatmate’, but making an effort to make life easier for the people you live with is still a kind thing to do.

Take a moment to reflect on how you’re contributing to your shared space. Are you doing your fair share of the cleaning, including things like cleaning appliances? Are you washing up promptly and keeping noise levels reasonable late at night?

Going one step further can make a big difference. You could wipe down the kitchen surfaces, empty the bin before it overflows, or restock shared essentials if you notice they’re running low.

 

Include others

Student accommodation can be a vibrant, busy and social place to live, but it can also be lonely at times.

If you’re heading to an event, cooking dinner, or planning a movie night, consider inviting someone along, particularly if they seem a little quieter than everyone else; extending the invitation can help someone feel welcome and included, even if you know they’ll say no.

The best thing about small acts of kindness is that they don’t have to cost anything. Try a few of these ideas out and make kindness a habit.