As a resident in Bishop Gate

Navigating university life, and life in halls, can feel tricky at first. But I have made some of my best memories there and have learned so much! 

If you're nervous about living in halls for the first time, here's my experience and some friendly advice to ease your mind. 

One of my favourite memories from living at Bishop Gate is surprisingly simple: learning how to play pool in the evenings and accidentally turning it into the easiest way to make friends.

It was one of those typical Coventry nights where it gets dark early and you tell yourself you’ll “just pop down for a bit” and then somehow it’s been two hours. The common room had that calm, end-of-day vibe. A few people were sitting around, someone had music playing quietly from their phone, and there was the steady clack of pool balls in the background.

At the start, I was genuinely not very good. I didn’t really know the rules properly, my shots were more hopeful than accurate, and I spent a lot of time pretending I totally meant to do whatever just happened. But the best part was that nobody cared. People were patient, someone explained things without making it awkward, and within a few evenings it stopped feeling like I was “meeting new people” and started feeling like I actually belonged there.

What makes that memory stand out now is how normal it was, and how much it helped. You don’t always make friends through big, dramatic moments. Sometimes it’s just showing up to the same space at the same time, doing something small together, and letting that turn into a routine.

That pool-table routine taught me a lot about how halls life actually works. If you’re moving in soon or you’re already in halls and feeling unsure, here’s what I’d genuinely recommend:

Settling in and making friends

• Use “small activities” as your social shortcut. Pool, table tennis, board games, cooking in the kitchen or joining in Reslife events when you have time. Activities take pressure off conversation.
• Don’t wait to feel confident before you join in. Turning up as a beginner is honestly easier, because people naturally help and it gives you something to talk about.
• Go to the social area at the same time a few evenings in a row. Familiarity does the work for you. After a few repeats, people start recognising you and it feels less like you’re interrupting.
• Start with one person, not everyone. If a whole group feels intimidating, just talk to the person taking their shot or waiting their turn. One connection is enough to build from.

What I wish I'd known earlier

• It’s normal if your flat doesn’t instantly “click.” Sometimes your closest friends come from other flats, your course, or people you meet through ResLife events and shared spaces.
• You don’t need a perfect opener. “How long have you been playing?” or “Do you mind if I watch/join next game?” works every time.

Wellbeing in halls (especially when it gets stressful)

• Have a simple routine that gets you out of your room. Even 20 minutes in a shared space can break that stuck, isolated feeling.
• If you’re homesick, don’t treat it like a problem you have to hide. Most people feel it at some point. A quick chat with someone in the kitchen/social space can genuinely shift your whole evening.
• During exams, make stopping by ResLife events a reward. Study elsewhere, then come down for a short break. It stops your room turning into a stressful “work-only” zone.

Making the most of ResLife support

• Say yes to one ResLife thing early on. Just one. It gives you a starting point and makes halls feel more like a community than just a building you sleep in.
• If you’re struggling, speak to someone sooner rather than later. ResLife staff and RLAs are there for exactly the everyday stuff that can feel big when you’re on your own: settling in, anxiety, conflict in the flat, stress, loneliness.

A mistake you can avoid

• Don’t assume everyone else has it figured out. A lot of people look confident while feeling exactly the same nerves. Being the person who says “Hi, I’m new here” is weirdly powerful.

Even if it feels difficult at first, just know there are so many others in the same boat as you. You got this! ✨