Four things students must consider when choosing accommodation

Scholars who are intending on studying further after school put dozens of hours into considering every aspect of the courses they might want to pursue and the universities they might like to attend, but often neglect the other details amidst the whirlwind decisions around what will become of the rest of their lives.

Where a student chooses to live will have a huge impact on their ability to perform at university and ultimately could be a deciding factor in whether they will graduate at all, but students and their families can often simply overlook this factor, assuming perhaps that they will take care of it when all the other bricks have fallen into place. When looking for accommodation then time might be of the essence and people can often rush their decisions with no real thought as to the impact it might make on their mental well-being and success.

Here then are four things all students should consider when trying to decide just where they will stay while studying.

1. Location

Without a doubt the most important thing to consider when studying is where your home is located. Of course, it needs to be within your budget, but its proximity to your local campus is going to be a deciding factor on whether you are capable of operating functionally. University courses often involve lectures that are either early in the morning or late in the evening and the length of your commute will impact whether you find it easy to attend these classes or indeed if you make it at all.

Accommodation that is close to your campus is therefore vital. The Fields is well within walking distance to UP ensuring classes are easy to attend no matter what time they occur and that your commute will not eat into your study times.

If the accommodation is not close to campus it is vital that there be plenty of public transport to ensure you do not spend most of your monthly budget on petrol, and that you are able to successfully attend as needed. The Fields is close to the Gautrain station in Hatfield allowing easy access from the airport in Johannesburg as well as numerous other destinations around Gauteng and the nearby A Re Yeng buses make getting to and from campus and around Pretoria an absolute breeze.

2. What does your home look like?

 Different people are able to live in different kinds of environments and are used to different levels of comfort. You might consider yourself the kind of person who can “rough it” with the best of them, and may think that you do not mind living in a dorm or sharing accommodation with dozens of other people, whereas a friend may believe they need utmost privacy. At the end of the day, you will want to allow yourself the greatest comfort you can afford, as being comfortable at home, sleeping well and having a place to study with clear lighting are all things that are going to impact your results at the end of the day.

At The Fields there are so many living options available. We have many living options to choose from –  you can live either by yourself or share with a friend or a few friends in apartments that come fully equipped with a private kitchen and bathroom. Depending on your budget you have the option to rent either a furnished or unfurnished flat, each of which comes with its own benefits. Those who want to decorate themselves and create their own spaces in their own styles will revel in being able to pick and choose the furniture and accessories they want, whereas those who are more eager to simply have the necessities provided can take the option that sees everything provided for them. Water is included in the rent and electricity is pre-paid so there are no surprises at the end of the month.

The dedicated study area at The Fields, together with the generator and free WiFi ensures you will never be without the ability to turn in your assignments – no one wants to be furiously banging out an essay on slow internet in a dark library on deadline day.

3. Convenience

Like it or not there are going to be many chores you need to fit in between study, sleep and socialising. Everything from buying textbooks, and getting a haircut to cleaning your clothes will take up time and you should carefully research the proximity of these various services to your accommodation.

Where is the nearest supermarket? Where will your family stay if they come to visit? How long will it take you to get to a laundry service and is it a drop off facility, or will you need to sit there and wait for clothes to come out of a machine? Every minute spent travelling to your get something to eat is time you aren’t spending in class, taking advantage of your campus social opportunities or getting the sleep you need, so the closer these services are, the more time you will save in the long run.

At The Fields all of the necessary services can be found on site including restaurants such as Kauai, Burger King, Spur, Romans, KFC, Hana Asia and the Chicken Hub. Even your printing and text book needs are taken care of nearby with on-site Postlink and Van Schaiks stores and getting packages from home is as simple as stopping in at The Courier Guy.  When family come to visit Anew Hotel and City Lodge provide the accommodation they need, while a Barbershop, hair care and nail salon allow you to receive them looking your best.

You can also get the exercise you need at the local Virgin Active or take care of health concerns with the local Woolfson’s pharmacy, Tree of Life, Optometrist, Physiotherapist and doctor.  Even ATMs for ABSA, FNB and Nedbank are on hand if you need cash for taxis or your night out.

Laundry is not a problem at all as the local Wash Bar will take care of your laundry and the best part is that it’s all included in your monthly charges. We have refreshed the concept of laundry and have created a lekker place to chill while your washing and drying is being done. It is an affordable self-service laundromat, open to the public 24-hours a day (loadshedding permitting). The Wash Bar offers easy cashless Zapper payments. The best news is that if you are a resident at The Fields, you’ll receive four complimentary washes and dries per month. Come visit The Wash Bar at The Fields.

4. What do you do in an emergency?

 One of the greatest fears when moving away from family is just what you will do when something goes wrong. If you live with alone or with someone else who may be out, what happens when you slip or have some other kind of accident, lose power or need to get somewhere in a hurry? Do you feel safe when you are studying alone at home, or will you need to go find somewhere else to write that assignment if loadshedding occurs? Knowing that your new accommodation is both safe and that help is close by if you need it will give you the ability to focus on the things that really matter.

At The Fields the nearby Medical Centre is capable of handling all medical emergencies, while back-up generators ensure you never sit alone in the dark. The 24-hour student centre with biometric security access is open 24 hours a day and there is ample parking in the basement should you need your own car to be safe from vehicle theft.

At the end of the day, staying at The Fields is safe, comfortable and within walking distance of your campus with so many necessary amenities on your doorstep. It will make a massive difference to how you experience university, give you time to focus on your studies and allow you to set up your life for success and you should never take the decision as to where you stay lightly. If you want to take the next step towards comfortable, secure and convenient accommodation, consider applying to The Fields now.

Don’t forget, we have an amazing competition Both existing and new residents can win a R500 electricity voucher. JOIN THE FIELDS TODAY and WIN!