What it’s like to have no one to live with next year

University is stressful enough, but now that Murano has been beaten to a shadow of its former self, the inevitable search for another place to trash begins for all of us first years.

Most are worrying about how to deal with their unhelpful letting agent or falling into grim despair at the large lines of people queuing for flat viewings. But, it’s even more of a pain for those who haven’t even thought about the whole flat idea, and more importantly have no-one to share with.

One of those people is me.

I’m aware being in this situation is not uncommon, but unfortunately that doesn’t excuse it from being a right pain in the arse to comprehend or figure out. Now I’ll admit, this predicament is entirely my fault (with a bit of really bad luck thrown in for good measure). With too many trips home to see old friends, the pressure felt like it was off until February came in like a wrecking ball and the reality of flat-hunting set in.

Unlike people who don’t live within a reasonable distance from Glasgow, there was no incentive for me to try really hard to make close friends at first. Any attempt that was made was either far too late or buried within a drunken haze and a killer headache. Not everyone gels with their flatmates to the extent that you or them want to be under the same roof for another year, and this is the situation myself and others find ourselves in every year again and again. So here I am, hearing everyone and their dog talking about the stresses of flat-finding when I’m missing the key component of it all: actual people.

Just cause you’ve got it all figured out

In principle, the solution to this problem is relatively simple: just find a spare room which strangers are letting. Maybe I’m just particularly stupid, but finding a room which is available by yourself is (obviously) a bit of a solitary experience, considering almost everyone around you has a helping hand from friends – or at least someone to panic with.

The other option, which not everyone has the luxury of having, is that you could stay at home for a year. You’ll probably save a lot of your student loan and have a more “quiet” year to work. But, your social life at university will go further down the toilet as you sit slumped on the train every morning, your latte and headphones being the only small insignificant light in your life. Soon, one year will turn into three as you simply go to and from lectures without any social advancement, as your mum begs you to get out so she doesn’t need to buy you food.

No one to socialise with

Failing both those options, the only thing to do is to just go with the flow, have a beer and let everything pan out. Life always works itself out eventually. But, having relied on this method for about nineteen years, I think it’s time for myself and others to bite the bullet a little and get shit done cause nobody is going to do it for you. Get on Gumtree and respond to those room adverts, and take control of your life. All you lucky folk with flats need to do is acknowledge that we’re having a worse time than you (and maybe be a bunch of dolls and buy a flat with an extra room). Who doesn’t like a few new people in their life after all?

P.S. If there are any takers, I’m not that uncool.

Hit me up