Studying abroad is both an exciting and stressful experience for students. While the excitement usually peaks as the date approaches, the anxiety of living all alone in a foreign place soon overtakes it. 

Budgeting, planning meals, socialising, and learning basic household chores can save you a lot of trouble if you have chosen to live in university accommodations or one of the student apartments in Australia. 

We know that being away brings more uncertainties along with it as well as the reality of having to be alone in many situations, however, you can make the process a little easier by ensuring that you are well-prepared. Here are three essential tips to help every student living alone, settle in comfortably in their accommodations abroad. 

1. Learn How To Budget  

When living alone abroad, it is easy to overspend when it comes to purchasing items such as snacks, stationeries, and even home decorations. Looking to decorate your student apartment in Australia? Read our blog on budget-friendly tips to decorate your apartment so that it feels more like home. However, it is important to remember that your university fees can add up, especially when you need to buy textbooks or sign up for additional courses. Therefore, setting a strict budget for yourself every week or month can help significantly. 

Setting aside a sum of money for various everyday living expenses is a good way to avoid or add on to your student debt. You can always use a budgeting mobile app like Mint, to track your spending. But, setting a budget is not limited to just after settling in. Budgeting is also important when it comes to sourcing for a student apartment in Australia. Besides university accommodations in Australia, there are also affordable student accommodations available in states like Melbourne and Adelaide. 

If you are an international student in Melbourne, you can consider Y Suites as your uni housing of choice. Conveniently located within walking distance or short tram ride from top Universities including RMIT University, The University of Melbourne, Victoria University, and Australian Catholic University, Y Suites is your home away from home. 

Find out more about the amenities near our university student accommodation in Melbourne.

2.Plan Your Meals  

When living alone, especially when you are busy studying, it is easy to forget or skip out on mealtimes. You do not have to be a chef or spend too much time and money on cooking, but it helps to plan your meals and prep them in advance. Taking a little time to think ahead for your meals can also prevent you from slipping into unhealthy eating habits. 

If you are residing in university accommodations in Australia you can sign up for their meal plans, should they have any. However, if you choose to live in student apartments outside of university compounds, you should select those that are located near supermarkets and cafes. For instance, Y Suites’ student housing in Adelaide is just a 3-min walk away from Chinatown and Adelaide Central Market, making it highly convenient to shop for inexpensive ingredients. A handy tip is to buy versatile ingredients like pasta, rice, or chicken to cook different types of dishes over a week. What’s more, their student apartments in Adelaide also come with an urban farming/communal garden for you to grow your produce. Eating fresh and organic greens has never been easier!  

3. Socialise And Bond With Your Friends

For some of us, having our own peace and privacy can become a little too comfortable, but it is recommended to get out and socialise if you live alone. Besides heading out to school or work and coming back to your apartment to crash, having human interaction is beneficial for your mental health. 

Be it FaceTiming your loved ones back at home or catching up with a friend between classes, having a social life outside of school can help you unwind and return more refreshed for your next class. At Y Suites, we understand the importance of socialising; as such, our student apartments in Australia come with facilities like Game Areas, Multipurpose Rooms, Study Hubs, Communal Kitchen and Dining Area, Indoor as well as Outdoor Lounge. For instance, here at Y Suites, we recommend our residents to join our one-of-a-kind Y Community Experience (Y-CEP) programme! Offering a variety of activities like academic support, social events, this initiative aims to foster a strong sense of belonging and identity in our residents. All of these create a community to help students celebrate the best years of their life abroad and giving them the support they need. 

Make Y Suites Your Home Away From Home 

Living on your own abroad can be both fun and daunting at the same time. However, with proper planning and helpful advice, making a move to Australia for further studies can become one of the best experiences. 

Begin your life abroad by sourcing for student accommodations that fall within your budget. Y Suites offer a wide range of affordable, fully furnished apartments in Melbourne and Adelaide – perfect for students looking for uni housing. Regardless of your budget or living preferences, we have apartments to meet your needs. 

We currently have ongoing student promotions for housing in Adelaide and Melbourne, making our apartments even more affordable. For more information, reach out to us here!