Why I returned to halls for another year

Hear from a student who returned to Central Village

Hear from Shiv, an international student studying BA Graphic & Communication Design who decided to return to Central Village for another year in halls. 

When it came to deciding where to live after first year, I chose to return to University halls, specifically Central Village where I had lived in my first year.

One of the biggest reasons was reassurance, especially for my family back home. As an international student, moving to the UK and having to navigate a lot of different changes is already a lot to process, so there’s a level of comfort in knowing that halls are still part of the University system available to me.

With private accommodation, it can feel uncertain - you don’t always know much about the companies managing the buildings, or what support will be available if things go wrong so it was nice to be able to reassure my family that I was still on campus with the support needed to thrive. 

Another important factor was the physical space. In Central Village, the kitchens are spacious and well-designed, which makes a huge difference when you’re sharing with others.

Storage was also a big plus - some private accommodations can have quite limited space so I liked knowing I would have enough storage for all of my items.

Location played a role too. Being close to campus, the Edge, and shared social spaces such as the common room made halls feel practical as well as familiar.

I was also influenced by my first-year experience. I had a large, ground-floor room in first year and got used to having that extra space.

Through visiting friends in other accommodations, I had a good sense of what different halls were like, so returning to the same general environment felt like a safe and informed choice rather than a risk.

What I wanted from my second experience

My expectations for second year were very much shaped by first year. I already knew what halls could offer, so this time I wasn’t looking for something completely new.

Instead, I wanted consistency, convenience, and an environment I understood. Knowing what to expect made the transition into the new academic year much smoother.

Living in Halls again

Living in halls for a second time has been noticeably different from my first year. In first year, socialising was a major priority - I went to lots of events, constantly met new people, and really leaned into the 'freshers' experience.

This year, that’s changed. I already have a solid friendship group, so there’s less pressure to attend every event and if I do choose to go to an event, it’s usually because it genuinely interests me (or because there’s free stuff!).

I’ve also learned how to use the space more effectively. I tried working in the common room before, but it tends to get loud and social as you might expect, which makes it hard to concentrate.

Now I know when to use communal spaces and when to study elsewhere. Staying in the same place again has made everything feel easier as there are no surprises, and that familiarity is actually quite comforting.

What’s changed and improved

There have been some noticeable improvements since my first year. For example, the pool table used to get damaged quite often, but this year it seems to be treated with much more respect.

ResLife events have also improved. Dog therapy was  a highlight, offering something genuinely calming during busy academic periods.

The common room is also now clearly being used more than in previous years. It’s become a simple but effective way for people to engage in shared spaces.

Community and social life

Returning to halls hasn’t significantly changed my social life overall. Most of my socialising happens outside my accommodation now, so where I live doesn’t have a huge impact.

That said, it does still feel nice to be part of a wider community, even if I’m less actively involved than I was in first year. Making friends felt easier in first year, but in second year, for me, it’s more about maintaining connections rather than building new ones.

I actually applied to return with my friends, which is an option you have if you apply again for another year in halls. That means all my friends are in the same accommodation as me which has allowed me to feel a greater sense of community overall.

Personal growth

The biggest benefit of returning to halls has been confidence. My first experience taught me what I needed to know, such as how to manage shared living spaces, when to engage socially, and how to balance independence with structure.

That knowledge shaped my second-year experience, allowing me to focus more on my studies and wellbeing rather than figuring things out from scratch.

It was a super easy process to apply to return and with all the extra benefits such as bills included and continued premium access to The Edge, I am very happy that I chose to return to Central Village for another year.

Thinking about returning yourself? 

For anyone thinking about returning to halls, my main advice would be to apply with friends if you can, it makes a big difference. Understanding the application process step by step and knowing your priorities (space, location, facilities) also really helps.

I’d absolutely recommend University of Leeds accommodation to others. The convenience, strong facilities, sense of security, and overall familiarity make it a great option - not just for first years, but for returning students as well.

Applications are now open and you can find out more on the accommodation website and apply via the accommodation portal. We do get a lot of interest in returning to halls and there's only a limited number of places available at each hall, so it's worth applying as soon as you can to have a better chance of an offer for your preferred hall. 

If you have already applied you'll hear from us shortly, but if you no longer require your place please contact us to let us know accommodation@adm.leeds.ac.uk.