Living in student halls may be the first time you’ve shared bathrooms with anyone other than your family. Along with all the other adjustments when you begin to live independently, this change can be challenging to get used to. There are a number of worries that can come up — what if I can’t get into the shower when I need to? With several people sharing a bathroom, how can we keep it clean? However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for this living arrangement and make the transition as simple as possible. Here are some tips for managing shared bathrooms in student halls.
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Bring flip-flops
Like public showers at gyms and recreation centres, bathrooms in uni halls can have germs, fungus and bacteria from regular use. So, to avoid getting any unwanted passengers on your feet, be sure to wear a pair of sandals when you shower. They’re super cheap to get and help you stay as clean as possible.
Bring a shower caddy
It’s also a good idea to buy a shower caddy: a plastic tote for your shampoo, conditioner, soap, or any other shower supplies you may need. These little carriers are perfect for student accommodation, since they allow you to keep all your toiletries in one place which you can carry to and from the shower with you.
Make a cleaning rota
Depending on your student accommodation, you might have a residence life team that will help set up a cleaning rota for you, including other shared spaces such as kitchens and common areas. However, if need be, you can also set this up yourself with the help of your flatmates. First decide how often the bathrooms will need to be cleaned and then sign everyone up on the sheet so that the work is split up equally.
Be considerate of others
Another aspect of managing shared bathrooms is making sure everyone gets adequate time. Back home, you might have been able to take hour long showers without anyone minding, but it’s good to be aware that things can be different in student accommodation. Try to be efficient in your use of the shower facilities so that no one needs to wait too long. Also, make sure you take everything you brought into the bathroom out with you, such as shampoo bottles and razors.
Coordinate shower schedules
To avoid too much shower traffic at certain times of the day, coordinating a shower schedule can be a great idea. Even if you don’t have it written down, it can be helpful to get a sense of when your flatmates shower. Some might opt to shower first thing in the morning, towards midday, or at night.
See also: How To Maximise The Space In Your Small University Room