Accommodation

Housemates – mitigating conflict and making friends  

YSJ Staff

Making friends with your housemates and other incoming students can be a fundamental aspect of university life, particularly during the first few weeks when students first arrive on campus. This initial period is filled with excitement and new experiences, and forming bonds with those you live with can significantly enhance the overall university experience.  

Building friendships with housemates provides a support network, helping to alleviate the loneliness and homesickness that many students may feel when first leaving home. These connections often become a source of emotional support, study partnerships, and lifelong friendships. Engaging in shared activities, social events, and communal living tasks during Welcome Week and beyond helps to foster a sense of community and belonging, making the transition to university life smoother and more enjoyable. 

It is important to remember that many students arriving at their accommodation at York St John may never have moved from home before, and that this time is one filled with excitement but also nervousness. Be mindful that different people may have different ways in which they process the world and may need more time to open up and get used to their new surroundings. Remember to stay respectful and create a positive atmosphere where you are able to get to know your new housemates.  

Icebreaker games and questions 

You will meet a lot of people whilst studying at university, and your housemates may be some of the first people you’ll introduce yourself to. It’s so important to get to know one another so here are some icebreakers to get you started! 

Questions: 

  • What are you studying and how long is your course? 
  • Are you thinking about joining any sports or societies? 
  • Are you part of any groups/clubs at the moment e.g. your local sports team? 
  • Do you have any pets? 
  • Do you have a job or are you going to work in York? 
  • What’s your dream for after university? 
  • What’s your favourite takeaway/food? 
  • Do you have any phobias or allergies that we should be aware of? 
  • How well do you know York? 
  • What are you most looking forward to? 
  • Do you like going out or do you prefer staying in? 
  • What do you like to get up to in your free time? 
  • Shall we follow/add each other on social media? 
  • Do you know anybody who already studies at York St John? 

Social suggestions: 

  • You could all go on a nice walk around the city to visit all of your go-to landmarks. This could be your housemates’ first time in York so it’s likely to be a new experience for you all. 
  • You can all go on food shop together for communal bits. It’ll help you to work out the routes and how far your favourite supermarket is from the accommodation. 
  • Go for a picnic 
  • Head to a university event together 
  • Introduce your housemates to a game of yours that you like to play 
  • You could suggest ordering a takeaway or booking a meal out. 
  • You could put a movie on for everybody in the lounge/kitchen to watch. 

Conduct on social media 

Social media is now one of the most popular ways to communicate with one another. With just a couple of clicks you add your new housemates on Facebook, post a blog, or find inspiration for a festival outfit. The social media world is wonderful thing when it’s used appropriately. 

However, that can all change once somebody posts an offensive comment or uploads something with the intention to cause harm. Always think twice before you post. Now that you’re entering a professional setting, you need to be mindful of every choice you make online. Posting offensive comments or images on a public domain can damage your reputation and your employer, university and family too. 

  • If you’re posting a group photo or a photo of somebody else, ask permission first. We all know how it feels when somebody posts an unflattering video of you, so it’s always kinder to double-check. 
  • Do not use any phrases or terms that could be considered as offensive. 
  • Have a profile clean up. Make sure there isn’t anything on your account that you wouldn’t want your boss or parent/carers to see. 
  • Don’t be a keyboard warrior. If you haven’t got anything positive to comment, then please keep any negativity to yourself. 
  • If you’re having an issue with one of your flatmates – maybe they’re not doing the washing up or they’re playing their music too loud – have a polite chat with them instead of jumping to social media. It might be quicker to send a snapchat, but sometimes the way we type can be misinterpreted and can make a situation a whole lot worse! 

Your actions online could result in disciplinary action from the university depending on the situation. 

Take a read of the Student Dignity and Respect policy here to find out more – https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/university-secretary-office/documents/ssr/Student-Dignity-and-Respect-Policy-2324-.pdf  

Social media groups  

The Accommodation team manage dedicated Facebook groups for each of our accommodation types so that post Results Day you are able to connect with your new housemates. Information regarding these groups will be publicized on our social media channels on Results Day (15 August).  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysjaccommodation/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/york.accommodation/ 

To find out more about settling into university accommodation read Amelie’s blog.