Ideal Time for International Students to Start Looking for Student Accommodation in Nottingham

 

Searching for student accommodation is leaving you stressed? Take our advice on the best time to start your search so the task no longer becomes a burden and you end up living in the best student accommodation in Nottingham.

One of the vital decisions to make when you transit abroad for education is finding the right student accommodation. Whether you are a fresher or a seasoned student looking for a better living facility, it is often advised to start your search for student housing in Nottingham as early as possible. Wondering why? Well, it has several essential benefits. Such as:

1. Rent prices tend to rise as the semester start date draws closer. So, starting early can fetch you the best deals at cheaper prices.
2. Weigh your options. You get a lot of time to browse the different types of rooms (private, shared, homestay or PBSA) before you settle down on the perfect one.  
3. You will have enough time to choose your location wisely – close to the university, ground floor, or top floor, the direction it faces, and view.

Now that we know the benefits of an early start, let us understand the ideal time for international students to start looking for student accommodation in Nottingham.

For Fresh Entrants

Irrespective of the country, a majority of the first-year abroad students tend to find rooms within the university campus. The reason is pretty straightforward. It’s safe, readily available (if you start early), and there are plenty of amenities to enjoy. Also, student studios in Nottingham are great places to meet new people, make new friends, and experience the new student lifestyle. Generally, universities offer a specific deadline for applications for student halls. So, it’s better to start your search early to avoid the last-minute rush.  

Do you know how abroad students have changed their outlook while choosing accommodation?

What if you miss the deadline?

Missing the deadline means the student halls are full. So, you will have to live somewhere else. If you have sorted out a student budget and the type of lifestyle you want to live by this time, you can start searching for private student accommodation in Nottingham nearby or other student-friendly areas in the city.

 

However, searching, filtering, and sorting the most suitable rooms from millions of affordable beds can get really stressful, especially if you are living in a different country and carrying out the whole task virtually. Also, you might have to compete with the second-and third-year students who will also be looking for accommodation for the next year, usually around June and July.

 

So, we suggest, you consult a reliable student accommodation provider like Ocxee.com to filter the best rooms matching your requirements. Remember to can ask for a virtual tour of the room before you finalise the deal or sign the contract. That will reduce the burden off your shoulder and you will get the best room at the right prices.

For Seasoned Students

For second- or third-year students, the situation is also quite similar. By the time you finish your first year, most students have gotten tired of halls and start finding a room where they can live with their friends.

 

However, there is a catch here. A survey conducted in the UK revealed that the pressure to find accommodation for the next academic year is so much on students that they start their house hunt soon after their course start. Almost a year earlier. It was also noticed that the demand for student flats in Nottingham shot up as early as November and as the next semester date grew closer, the intensity of housing search increased exponentially, giving a rift to the prices as well.

Well, we would like to clarify here that starting early doesn’t mean you engage in a sudden rat race. Do not rush into a housing decision that you will regret later.

What is the Perfect time for House Hunt?

It depends on what type of lifestyle you want and how organised you want to be? If you want to secure a room early with the people you want to stay with, then starting the hunt during the winter will give you ample time to do a thorough research of the student properties. But if you want to wait to find the right roommate, or finish your coursework and start your search in the summer, you will not have much time or choices left to pick from.

 

In both situations, many students hire letting agencies like Ocxee.com who put properties up for rent earlier and have some available for later years. Calm down and go through all the properties before you settle down on one.

Conclusion

The key to finding the perfect student accommodation in Nottingham is patience. House hunting pressure impacts everyone, but try to look past it and start searching for the room. You will be spending a large part of each day in the student room. So, be patient, start early, and look into as many properties as you can, and you will find a great place to live. 

10 Less Known Tricks to build Confidence before a Job Interview

How will you determine if the company you are giving an interview is right for you? Here is the fastest and easiest guide to properly research the company and determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Job-hunting is a challenge for most people. You might be the topper in your class and brilliant in your field of education, but lack of confidence in an interview makes you lose the best jobs in town.  

So, it is important you gain detailed insight into the company’s reliability and interview dynamics before you step in for the interview. But how will you do that?

The good news is, in this era of virtual advancement, researching about a company or an employer is much easier than before. A simple search on google will fetch bundles of data about the company. However, the internet is also full of fake and irrelevant information. So, where should you start?

Keep reading and in the next 5 minutes, you will learn ten pre-interview tricks so you can walk in confidently and impress your potential interviewer at the first meeting.

Also, read Tips for students to find perfect part-time jobs in Canada

Start With the Company Website

Start your research by visiting the company’s website. Why? Because a company website is a pool of information. It will help you decide if the company is a good fit for you.

Read the ‘About Us’ section. You will learn about their views, values, mission, products, services, establishment date, registration, achievements, and company culture.

Is it a place where people are driven by excellence? Do the employees work as a family? Or do they maintain a strictly professional ambience? You can analyse everything here.

Pay attention to the themes, the colour, and the words they use to describe themselves. Organizations often use hyperbole when talking about themselves. Visit their career section. Check out the job description again and also the other positions they are hiring for.

What Others Are Saying About the Company

Dig into websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc to find out what their current and ex-employees have to say about the company. The feedbacks talk a lot about how the organization treats its employees, the management, the company policies, and other valuable insights that will come in handy while deciding the company’s suitability for you.

How overseas students balance study and work in Canada.

Check out the Current Company Events in the Google News Page

This step might seem irrelevant, but it will help you establish your interest in the company in front of the interviewer. Read their current press releases, company events, and recent developments. It will give you a perception of how the company works or makes money. Also, you can take a chance and ask the interviewer, ‘I read about your recent event at________, can you tell me more about it?’ It might impress them to know that you are interested in their latest news.

Look Into their Social Media Accounts

Dig into the company’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). The updates will tell you about how the company wants its consumers to know them. Read their group discussions. You might find many answers that you will not find otherwise. Also, you might uncover some red flags from the conversations. If the company doesn’t maintain its social media page or uses it only for promotions, it could be a huge red flag for their working style.

Go through the Hiring Manager’s Profile

Before you attend the interview, learn about the hiring managers. Review their LinkedIn profile and note if you have any common contact. Try to learn about these individuals as much as you can, their interests, hobbies, professional profiles, career graphs, everything. It will help you build a good rapport at the meeting and establish your interest in their offer.

Online career guidance is it worth investing time in it.

Anticipate and List down the Questions you might be asked

It is important to anticipate the questions earlier so you can articulate your answers well. Lack of confidence in answers can put you on a weaker side to the interviewer. Some of the common questions asked in an interview include:

1. Can you tell me something about yourself that is not on your resume?
2. What do you know about the company?
3. Why are you leaving your current job?
4. What interests you about this work profile?
5. How would you describe your working style?
6. Tell us about your greatest strength and weakness?
7. Jump 5 years from now. Where do you see yourself?
8. What is your expected salary requirement?
9. Do you have any questions for us?
10. Is there anything that we might have missed that you wish to add?

Review your Social Media Profiles

Just like you, your employer will also review your social media profiles to get information about their prospective employee. So, before you attend the interview, review your online postings and pictures and delete anything that might be embarrassing or put you in a negative light to your employer.

Try the largest hassle-free student service platform, Ocxee, to book your favourite student accommodation or any other travel assistance during your study and work tenure abroad.

Focus on your Attire

Dressing appropriately for the interview will depict your interest and professional attitude to the interviewer. There is no harm in dressing more formally for your interview than you would do on your job. If you find a contact who works in the company, do clarify the dress code they follow. Make sure you dress neat, groomed and presentable.

What are the prospects to work while studying in Canada

Arriving Early

Punctuality is a virtue that can make or break the deal instantly. Download the directions in advance. Anticipate the traffic delays, and reach there a little early. However, do not show up on the company floor more than ten minutes early. Put your mobile on silent mode so it doesn’t ring or buzz during the interview.

Carry the Necessary Documents

Some essential documents that you should keep handy even before they ask for it:

1. Copies of your Updated Resume
2. Copies of your previous work experiences
3. Previous Company Recruiter/Manager’s contact information (don’t provide personal or confidential information though)
4. Copies of Academic Certificates
5. Work Samples (if applicable) like writings, designs, layouts, etc.
6. Reference Letters (if any)

Also, once the interview is complete, make sure to inform your reference or previous employer that the new company might contact them.

Conclusion

There are numerous practical steps to prepare yourself to crack a job interview. Following these tricks will give you an interview edge over other candidates and boost your confidence to help you make a better first impression on the hiring manager. 

How Abroad Students Have Changed Their Outlook While Choosing Accommodation?

 Understanding the different views, concerns, attitudes and expectations of overseas students when choosing the perfect student accommodation abroad.

Accommodation leaves a massive impact on student’s transition and living experience abroad. As such, every student deserves a place of residence that offers the highest level of comfort, wellbeing, and security.

But when it comes to choosing a student room, a significant change is noticed in the criteria and outlook of abroad students. Unlike before, student accommodation in London isn’t only about independent living but more about consciously living a physically, mentally, and environmentally healthy life during their study tenure. Here are a few pointers that reflect the invariant changes in an abroad student’s choice, attitude, and satisfaction while choosing the perfect student room.

Eco-Friendly Options and Modern Amenities

A poll of 1,000 abroad students suggests that roughly 30% of students were willing to pay more for student accommodation in Manchester (taking as an example) that have their ecological policies in place. Also, if we analyse the research data on student housing preferences, the data support the previous fact with over 51% of students claiming to choose apartments with eco-friendly features including recycling facilities, solar panels, supportable furniture etc.

University Support for Apartment Finding

Generally, students are responsible to find their own place of residence. However, most abroad students prefer that their institution offer some type of active support to make the process of accommodation search seamless and safe. University advice in varied options for student accommodation in Berlin (for instance), assistance on living practices, or guidance on location and rent can reduce a lot of burden from the students.

It is also noticed that universities that didn’t bother to offer this much-needed assistance ended up losing out on international students frequently.

On-Campus Accommodation

People might argue that independent living is one of the most appealing factors for abroad students, but research data depicts a different story. Most overseas students are found to prefer living within the campus. The reason is pretty straightforward. The majority of international students book their accommodation virtually through some agency or housing provider (such as Ocxee) and it is only probable they would come and view the room only after the semester kick starts.

As such, they find more confidence in booking on-campus rooms such as student accommodation in Canada  rather than settling down in a new and unfamiliar place. However, in rare cases when students miss out on the uni student accommodation, they look for student rooms in the nearby areas.

Local Community and Facilities

It is also noticed that the majority of overseas students preferred to socialize and live an emotionally fulfilling life rather than just taking classes and going back to their rooms. In fact, most students chose properties that had an onsite gym or fitness area, a pool, a cinema hall, gaming rooms, or a roof terrace. Also, the communal spaces within the campus or near student accommodation in London City Centre positively influences the social community as the students look to balance their education and personal preferences perfectly.

Roommates

It might come as a pleasant surprise but most international students claimed that living with a stranger was exciting and more often than known, the association turned out quite well. However, with almost 90% of students focusing on healthy living options and the majority prioritizing mental awareness, most of them prefer roommates who match their views and ways of living. It was noticed that over a quarter who ate vegetarian or vegan meals, favoured their roommates did the same. Well, apart from eating habits, like-minded activities such as volunteering, socializing, and contributing to the local community played an important role to decide on the right roommate.   

Another Interesting Read - Top 5 benefits of choosing an LGBT Couples Accommodation

Prioritizing Mental Health

Most teenagers consider themselves health-conscious. But when it comes to abroad students, the greatest importance is on mental health. With increasing education stress, loan, and other living concerns many students have started treating their mental health as a priority. It was found that over a sixth of students adopted practices such as meditation, journaling, cooking, mindfulness practice, and more to destress from their everyday lives.

In Conclusion

Time is changing and so is our ideas and expectations. Universities and accommodation providers must understand that to attain greater residence satisfaction, it is necessary to provide students with a home-like atmosphere rather than an institutional ambience. It will not only enhance the quality of living but also improve their performance throughout their study life cycle.

And, if you are searching for student accommodation, Ocxee.com is the world’s largest marketplace for student housing and post-landing services, to help students to make a safe and hassle-free transit abroad. 

Student accommodation: How to choose one?

Student accommodation Bristol is a perfect place for students as it provides them with a good environment. If it's not possible to live alone, then it may be worth considering renting out a room in someone else's house who has similar interests as you do. However, this still might create some problems because of the disturbances that another individual shall make. Hence, it is important to consider all the factors and then take a wise decision that suits your budget and the environment you expect out of your accommodation.

Types of residence

Student Accommodation Bristol City Centre is usually available as flats, residential halls or hotels depending on the university/college providing it. A student should try and find a place near their university or college. It will help with traveling and studying if you live near your institution as you won't need to travel too far to get there in time for class. 

Amenities

Before you shortlist a place, make sure to find out the kind of amenities they provide. One should find if the site is accessible to different parts of the city, including hospitals, public transport centers, food joints, etc. It has basic things like water and electricity to live peacefully and focus on your studies.

Student Accommodation Bristol CityCentre 

Safety and security

It is yet another essential thing to give due consideration. Living in a safe and secured place is necessary for your mental well-being and, in the end, is going to help you to concentrate just on your studies. Choosing the wrong place might force you to spend most of your time thinking or fearing things that can impact your safety.

Why do students prefer to shift to private accommodation in Manchester?

Not all students like sharing their rooms with others. People usually prefer to have a private space, wherein they can stay at their convenience. It is one of the major reasons students are always looking for private student accommodation in Manchester to don’t have to leave their comfort zone. Even though private accommodations in Manchester might turn out to be a little expensive compared to shared apartments, it is worth every penny spent for those who can afford it and wish to stay alone.

Benefits you get by renting a private student accommodation in Manchester:- 

1.Students who stay in Student Accommodation Manchester City Centre get to stay on their terms. The rules in private accommodation are lenient compared to shared residences and hostel accommodations. In short, they can live just the way they like.

2.If you choose to stay in Private Student Accommodation Manchester, you can select a roommate, which is impossible in a university hall.

Conclusion

Our team of experts understands that students come from different backgrounds, and sometimes it becomes tough for them to adjust to the cultural differences. Considering the initial difficulties students face when they travel to Manchester we make all the arrangements to ensure their stay is comfortable. We make sure students can give their best in the enrolled course. Thus, we provide them with the best environment for their education and help them strike a balance between their academic and personal lives. We have all the facilities required for a comfortable stay.

Get to know about Student accommodation Leicester

Leicester is one of those beautiful cities in England with some of the most reputed educational institutions. Considering students turn out to the city every year, it has a vast setup of accommodations available for them. The city provides so many amenities ensuring their stay is a comfortable and safe one.

Student accommodation Leicester

Basic amenities in Leicester to accommodate students

Leicester has become the preferred choice for students to adjust. The reasons lie in the lucrative and Student-friendly amenities provided by the student homes. The amenities are 

● They provide charming bedrooms which easily make students stay over there.

● Student accommodation Leicester city furnishes a private kitchen along with a private bathroom.

● The student studios are capable of offering independence and comfort in one place together.

● There are lounge areas in many studios for providing relaxation along with sofa and entertainment opportunities.

● If you are passionate about cooking with studies, Leicester is the best option to experience an exclusively designed kitchen.

● Every property owns all the bills.

● Student Accommodation Liverpool are aware of the importance of sanitation. So their priority is to approve the best cleaning services.

Student Accommodation Liverpool

● With the best residential complexes, a well-cultured society and community are there. These will help to enhance social communication with others which is also important for the development of studies.

● Every accommodation is safe with a full-proof CCTV camera. Students' safety issue is one of the crucial priorities.

● You will also get the benefits of onsite parking in Leicester.

Conclusion 

A student-friendly environment, trusted accommodation, good social culture make Leicester city a lovable City for students to reside. You will get an amazing residential experience with a proper healthy environment for study over there. 

Top 10 Most Affordable Student Cities in the UK

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UK has a wide range of affordable cities. We have listed the top 10 Cheapest Student Cities in the UK in 2021. When it comes to living costs, Manchester can be affordable compared to other capital cities. Some factors like rent, accommodation and food vary from city to city.

Securing admission to your university of choice in the UK isn’t a small achievement. Many people are desperate for those opportunities but don’t get them. Therefore, you shouldn’t take it for granted. You should work hard and achieve your dream career at the end of some hard work and study.

University education isn’t cheap. In addition to the tuition fee, you are supposed to pay for accommodation, among a few other expenses. If you aren’t careful, you may run out of funds before the end of a given study period.

Accommodation costs vary from one city to the next in the UK. The key to a seamless transition to the UK is to choose the city that is affordable when it comes to accommodation. Although most people prefer Uni Accommodation in London, that isn’t the only city you can stay in as you study in the UK. There are so many options available to you.

The following are the cheapest student cities in the UK 2021 - starting with the most expensive.

10. London

When people think about London, they don’t associate it with affordability. However, you should know that it is the 82nd most affordable metropolitan city to live in. It has some of the most attractive landmarks that you can think of. Moreover, students love it because of the diversity they experience in this city.

More than 15 globally recognized universities are in London. The most prominent one is the University College of London which is ranked in the top 10 worldwide. That is already an indication that London is a preferred education destination. The average cost of Uni Accommodation in London is £185 per week.

9. Edinburgh

 

The beautiful mountains in Edinburgh make it an attractive destination for students. It is ranked 16th in terms of student friendliness. Being the Capital City of Scotland, it is one of the most metropolitan cities in the UK. The University of Edinburgh is the most prominent in this area and it’s currently ranked 18th globally for the best cities in which to study.

Edinburgh University Student Accommodation is way cheaper than what you pay in other cities. With £100 per week, you can find a nice property to stay in.

8. Manchester: the Northern Capital of England

After London, Manchester is the second-most populous city in the UK. It is also one of the most affordable cities to live in for students. That explains why Studio Student Accommodation in Manchester is a popular search term. It is certainly a city that you should consider when you’re starting to look for student accommodation in the UK.

Manchester has many globally recognized universities for you to choose from. The University of Manchester is the most reputable institution of higher learning in this city. It is among the top 30 universities in the world. Therefore, you shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss Studio Student Accommodation in Manchester, even though it’s densely populated.

7. Glasgow

The largest city in Scotland is Glasgow. In addition to its alluring beauty, Glasgow is home to one of the most celebrated shopping centres in the UK. Its most renowned university, the University of Glasgow is where the museum of Scotland is located. Therefore, it is safe to say that Glasgow holds a rich history.

Students who are looking for a breath-taking experience opt for Student Accommodation in Glasgow City Centre. The city has luxurious accommodation with excellent facilities at affordable rates. At a monthly average accommodation cost of £500, you can have a great student living space. Other amazing things you stand to enjoy as you stay in Glasgow include:

1. The unique culture to experience
2. Exciting music scenes
3. Enjoyable nightlife

6. Coventry

Students may prefer to stay in Coventry due to its homely nature. It has elaborate transportation links to the other Major Cities in the UK including the Capital City of London. International students in the UK choose it instead of other cities because of its affordability.

When it comes to student accommodation, you have different options in Coventry. You can rent a private studio, find accommodation in the halls of residence, or share apartments with other students. For as low as £110 per week, you can find a decent place to stay as you study. If Uni Accommodation in London is a no-go zone for you, then Coventry might be the way to go.

5. Sheffield

If you don’t like the look of Edinburgh University Student Accommodation, you could opt for Sheffield. The city accommodates students from 100+ countries. It is known to have a robust students’ union. You are bound to meet people from all over the world if you stay in Sheffield as you study in the UK.

Whether you like on or off-campus accommodation, you are bound to find something that works for you in Sheffield. The properties are of a very similar quality to what is available in Studio Student Accommodation in Manchester. With a weekly payment range of between £90 and £170, you are sure to find something that suits you.

4. Leeds

Another option in the UK, replacing such locations as Edinburgh University Student Accommodation, is Leeds! There is a lot to enjoy in this city. When you are looking for student accommodation, you have lots of different options to choose from. Leeds is a growing city, very close to Sheffield, with plenty of connecting trains to other major cities across the UK. From shared flats to private accommodation, you have plenty of options.

3. Liverpool

Whether you are looking for on or off-campus student accommodation, Liverpool could be the place for you. With the off-campus Private Student Accommodation in Liverpool, you get the opportunity to have your own space, away from student halls of residence, with just the one downside of having to commute to and from Uni. That shouldn’t be a source of worry for you as the city has a good transport network though! With a weekly payment of as low as £90, you can find a nice unit to stay in. The nightlife is what Liverpool has grown to be renowned for too, so students are well catered for.

2. Nottingham

If you have ever heard about the “city of literature” in the UK, it is a term that is associated with Nottingham. The city has some of the most beautiful ancient castles. Plus, it has restaurants with the best delicacies in the region. If you aren’t interested in Student Accommodation in Glasgow City Centre, then Nottingham can offer you an equivalent cultural experience, without the tourist-centric environment.

Why is it advantageous to get student accommodation in Nottingham? First, the city has an elaborate transport system served by trains, trams, and buses. Therefore, it is easy for you to move from one point to another. The accommodation facilities are generally of a high quality. In fact, in most cases, they will be higher quality than Private Student Accommodation in Liverpool or London, even though they are bigger cities.

1. Hull: The Eastern English Countryside City

Another good location to choose as a student in the UK is Hull. The facilities are generally as good as what you might find in Student Accommodation in places like Glasgow City Centre. You pay as low as £85 per week for a place to stay and it is among the most affordable places to look for student accommodation around the United Kingdom, due to how remote it is.

Transport links are available to major cities, but it is further away from the centre of the UK than the likes of Manchester, Birmingham and London.