By Lyea Rivers, September 2024
When I arrived at university, I loved making the blank canvas in my room into a home away from home. I have stayed in lovely accommodation on campus in Pendle College and in off-campus accommodation. Each room has different sized beds, shelves and desks, etc. but I have found a way to make each room homely. I carried various items with me to make my room my home away from home and I will share more with you in this blog.
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Pendle College accommodation. Image shown is university photography.
I’ve got a few art pieces I’ve collected in my room. These help to brighten my room. There are many stores in the centre to purchase art and other decorations for your room. It is helpful to read the contracts signed for your accommodation and to make sure you do not damage the walls when decorating.
I love fossils and have a small collection that I keep to make my room my home away from home. I know other students with other fun collections, and it is good to bring items that you love and are passionate about with you. You can also buy items when you arrive in Lancaster.
I found that creating a theme in my room helped me feel at home. I spent my entire life near the ocean and around animal. Most of my items fit the theme of the ocean & wildlife. I brought a blanket from home but many items I bought in Lancaster due to weight limits when travelling. There are many stores in the city centre where you can buy bedding and other items to make your room more homely and cosy. You can also purchase bedding from Green Lancaster on campus.
I brought a few sauces with me and I got gifted a few sauces from family and friends as well. These are lovely decorations and additions to my cooking! I have also visited many stores on the Lancaster University campus and in the city centre that sell products from Asia, America, The Caribbean, etc. so there are likely to be a store with products from your home country in Lancaster.
A friend from home gifted postcards and stamps for my collection. I also collect postcards from countries that I have visited, and these are decorated in my room as well. There are lots of stores in the city centre and an eco-shop at Lancaster University where you can get decorations for your room. You can also give your family and friends your mailing address and you can get packages sent from family an friends. I have enjoyed this a few times!
I’ve got cultural items like shells, Caymanite jewellery, thatch, art, local wood crafts, etc. I’ve even got a stamp collection!
I brought my desk decorations and stationery from home to make my desk space feel familiar. I also got gifted a few items from loved ones to decorate my desk.
I brought a few personal books with me on my culture, history, and some self development books like atomic habits that I love re-reading. It helped to remind me of home and has many reminders to me on my ancestors’ values including hard-work, courage and resilience.
I’ve got over 200 printed photos in my room of family, animals, vacations. I’ve got photo albums, framed photos and photos I have taped or clipped to the wall. There are low-cost photo printing shops in the city centre.
I got a few plants once I got to Lancaster, and these helped my room feel more relaxing. The grocery stores and other stores in the city centre sell a variety of plants that can be used to decorate your room!
I’ve got a few gifts from my loved ones including local coffee, local sauces, cups, stationary, postcards, an engraved compass, etc and I keep these close.
“My recommendation would be to use services like free prints to print out photos of friends, family, memories or maybe your favourite series like an anime or tv show".
To conclude, there are various items you can bring with you to make your room a home away from home including stationary, books, photos, collections, art, cultural items, bedding, plants, sauces from home, postcards from home, gifts, etc.
