Getting started in student accommodation: 10 things you’ll learn in no time

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 24.09.2026

Moving into student accommodation is a big step: For the first time, you’re no longer living at home, you’re sharing common areas with other people, and you have to organise your daily life all by yourself. Especially during the first few weeks, there’s quite a lot you need to get used to.

So, what is it really like to live in student accommodation? What challenges can you expect, and what can help you settle in quickly? This short crash course covers 10 things that will help you during your first few weeks in a student accommodation, so you can get off to a relaxed start.

Table of Contents

The first few days: Settling in

The first few days in a student accommodation are mainly about settling in and getting the most important things organised. Apart from unpacking your belongings and setting up your room, you should also take care of a few practical basics so that you can start student life fully prepared:

1. Wi-Fi, Mail and Technology

Things that often happen automatically at home are things you might need to organise yourself when living in student accommodation:

  • Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is already included in many student residences, including STUWO. But sometimes you might need to arrange an internet connection yourself. Once it’s available, set up your access right away and check that everything is working properly.
  • Mail & Packages: Find out where you can find your mailbox and how packages are received. It could be directly at the student accommodation or through a central package collection point or parcel locker.
  • New Address: Don’t forget to notify important organisations and institutions of your change of address. In Austria, you have to register with the relevant registration authority or municipal office within the legal period.

2. Who Is Responsible for What in the Accommodation

During your first few days in student accommodation, find out who is responsible for what. That way, you’ll know exactly who to contact if you have questions or run into problems. Find out who is responsible for issues such as a broken light, heating, or washing machine, who to contact if you have problems with your key, access chip, or entry system, and where to find important information and announcements. Especially during your first week, this can help you avoid unnecessary stress and confusion.

For more tips on moving in, check out our guide to moving into a student residence.

Living together: the kitchen, laundry, noise, cleaning

Living in student accommodation means, you’ll be sharing many areas with other people, which can take some getting used to at first. A little consideration and a few simple rules can help make living together a pleasant experience for everyone.

3. The Shared Kitchen Has (Un)Written Rules

The communal kitchen has some clearly defined rules and some unwritten ones that you should definitely follow. Wash your dishes right after eating, leave the stove and worktops clean, and label your food if several people share the same fridge. After all, nothing causes tension faster than a pan that sits around for several days or “borrowed” food that suddenly disappears.

4. Doing Laundry Requires Planning

Find out if the washing machines work via a booking or chip system, and plan your laundry day accordingly. Most importantly: Take your laundry out of the machine on time. If the washing machines don’t have an app that notifies you when the cycle is finished, it’s best to set an alarm so you don’t forget about your laundry. After all, you don’t want someone else to have to take your clothes out of the machine. If possible, also avoid typical peak times, such as evenings or weekends, so you can easily find an available washing machine.

5. Be Considerate About Noise and Quiet Hours

When it comes to noise, you should also remember: you’re not living alone. Find out about the quiet hours in your student accommodation and respect them. Especially in the evening and at night, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., you should avoid loud music, loud conversations, or other disruptive noises. If someone else is too loud, it’s best to address them calmly and directly rather than letting it annoy you unnecessarily. If you’re generally sensitive to noise, headphones or earplugs can be very helpful. But a certain level of noise simply comes with living in student accommodation.

6. A Cleaning Rota for Shared Flats Saves Time

Cleaning can sometimes lead to arguments in student accommodations, especially when no one really feels responsible for it. Some student accommodations offer regular cleaning services, but they usually only cover free spaces, such as tidy desks or tidy floors, and not the details and personal belongings. Whether you’re living in student accommodation or a shared apartment, a simple cleaning schedule with your flatmates can make everyday life much easier. It keeps the place tidy, makes it clear who is responsible for what, and helps ensure that the chores are distributed fairly.

A simple way to keep things fair is to split up the different areas, such as the bathroom, kitchen and floors, and rotate the tasks regularly. For those little jobs that are easy to forget, a chore board can also come in handy. You can use it to keep track of things like taking out the rubbish or buying more toilet paper. That way, everyone knows what needs to be done and who’s up next.

Visitors, guests and privacy

Even though you have your own room in student accommodation, you’ll still be sharing many spaces with other people. That means communication is important, especially when you have guests over or someone needs a bit more privacy.

7. Privacy in Student Accommodation Is About Communication

If you’re planning to have someone stay overnight, you should let both the resident managers and your flatmates know. This gives everyone a chance to prepare and no one is suddenly surprised by a stranger in the shared spaces.

In general, it’s important to respect your flatmates’ privacy too. Knock before entering someone else’s room rather than simply walking in, even if the door is open. At the same time, don’t be afraid to communicate your own boundaries and respect other people’s boundaries when they need some time or space to themselves. Being open with each other can go a long way towards everyone feeling comfortable and respected in the student accommodation, especially during those first few weeks.

Getting to know new people

Getting started in student accommodation isn’t just about getting used to a new place. It’s also a great opportunity to meet lots of new people. Especially during those first few weeks, try to get to know the people around you and make the most of the shared spaces and any activities your student accommodation has to offer.

8. You’ll Meet New People Sooner Than You Think

Especially when you first move in, it’s worth being open and making an effort to get to know other residents and people living on your floor instead of spending all your time in your room. The shared kitchen and other communal areas are great places to start a conversation and get to know people. Events at your student accommodation, like barbecues, game nights or movie nights, are another easy way to meet other residents. And sometimes, all it takes is a quick “Hi” in the hallway to break the ice.

Studying in student accommodation without stress

You’ll need to find your own routine for studying effectively and balancing university life with everything that comes with living in student accommodation.

Maybe the STUWO Learning Lounge is just the right place for a focused study session! ©STUWO

9. You’ll Need a New Study Routine

Studying can sometimes be a little harder in student accommodation. After all, your flatmates are only a few doors away, and there’s often something going on in the shared spaces. So, take some time to figure out where you can study best. Maybe your student accommodation has dedicated study rooms, or perhaps you prefer heading to the library. Setting regular study times can also help you build a routine and avoid getting distracted by everything going on around you. Especially during exam season, it’s a good idea to talk to your flatmates and agree on some shared quiet hours.

Maybe the STUWO Learning Lounge is just the right place for a focused study session! ©STUWO

Little everyday tips

The little things can make everyday life in a student accommodation much easier and save you a lot of unnecessary stress. Here are a few simple life hacks that can come in handy:

10. Little Things You Might Not Have Thought Of That Make Everyday Life Easier

  • Set up a standing order or SEPA direct debit for your rent: That way, you won’t have to worry about forgetting your monthly payment.
  • Shared shopping checklist: Create a shared list with your flatmates or neighbours for things that are running low or need to be bought for the apartment. Tip: With an expense tracker (e.g. Splitwise), you can also keep track of shared purchases and expenses, so everyone knows who paid for what.
  • Your own power strip and power bank: This way, you’ll always have an extra way to charge your devices when needed and won’t have to fight over sockets.
  • Keep a small supply of essentials: Pasta, rice, canned food and other non-perishable foods are great for those days when you don’t have the time or energy to cook. Just make sure food packages are properly sealed to avoid attracting insects or other pests.

You’ll find even more tips in our guide to living in student accommodation.

The first month in student accommodation – a summary

The first few weeks in student accommodation can feel a little unfamiliar at first: a new environment, new flatmates, and suddenly lots of things you have to take care of yourself. But with a bit of organisation, consideration, and an open mind, things quickly become part of your everyday routine. Most of those little day-to-day disagreements can be sorted out easily with clear communication and a little mutual respect.

Still looking for the right student accommodation? Take a look at our STUWO student accommodation and find a place that fits your student lifestyle. You can also find everything you need to know about applying for student accommodation here!

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about your first few weeks in student accommodation

Be open and make the most of the opportunities around you. Say hello to people on your floor, chat with your flatmates in the shared kitchen, and join events such as barbecues, game nights or movie nights.

Clean up after yourself in the shared kitchen, keep your belongings organised, respect other people’s privacy, and follow the rules for communal areas.

Quiet hours depend on your student accommodation, so check the specific house rules. In general, you should avoid loud music, loud conversations and other disruptive noises between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

This depends on the rules of your student accommodation. If you’re planning to have an overnight guest, check with the resident managers and let your flatmates know as well.

When you move in, find out who is responsible for emergencies and where you can find important contact details. It’s worth saving these numbers in your phone during your first few days so you know who to call if something happens.

Questions?

We are happy to help!

Apply to STUWO now