Student housing revolution means parents no longer need to worry about where their kids will live at university
- Contemporary accommodation gives students space to study, socialise and develop
- Residents’ safety and security are top concerns addressed by modern developers like Collegiate AC
- Private kitchens and cleaning services mean that students can become independent at their own pace
A child heading off to university for the first time is an emotional moment for any parent. Mixed in with the pride of sending your offspring out into the world to study is the inevitably anxiety about how they will settle in, make friends and manage to fend for themselves.
Thankfully, the rise of the purpose built student accommodation sector in recent years means that parents can at least cross fretting about sub-standard accommodation off their list of worries.
“Knight Frank reports that £3.1 billion was invested in purpose built student accommodation in 2016, while private equity invested over £2.1 billion in 2015. Student accommodation now offers greater choice and far superior facilities than previous generations of students would believe.”
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate AC
At Collegiate AC’s new Ernest Place site in Durham, for example, the en-suite accommodation includes a private desk area with ample space for studying, as well as peaceful study zones dotted about the building. For downtime, there’s a gym, club lounge, dinner party room, sauna, roof terrace and private cinema. This wealth of shared facilities means that residents find it easy to make new friends, so parents can relax about how their child will get on with meeting people.
Ernest Place, like many Collegiate AC properties, also features a concierge service on site, meaning that residents always have someone to turn to should they need advice, guidance or support.
“Knowing that there is always someone on hand that their child can reach out to should the need arise is very comforting for many parents. Whether it’s help with booking taxis, arranging food deliveries or local orientation, the concierge service provides a discreet form of security for young people who are living away from home for the first time.”
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate AC
Safety and security is always a big concern for parents. This is why Collegiate uses electronic entry systems for its buildings, with CCTV in communal areas. The site locations are also chosen to be within close proximity to the university and/or city centre, so that students don’t face long walks down deserted streets in order to get home in the evening.
Practical details are often a concern for parents too. Many worry that their youngsters will exist solely on a diet of takeaway pizza once left to fend for themselves. In reality, though, university presents an excellent opportunity for young people to enhance their cooking skills. Accommodation providers like Collegiate include full kitchens in their properties, so that residents can learn to cook in their own time and space, when the mood takes them, without the stress of other residents pilfering their pint of milk from a shared fridge or making fun or their overcooked spaghetti.
“Often the small details can be just as worrying as the big ones when it comes to parents letting their children care for themselves for the first time. That’s why we make a point of offering lifestyle services at all of our properties – residents can have help with cleaning either while they first settle in or on a longer-term basis.”
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate AC
Waving goodbye to a child attending university for the first time is never easy, but at least the recent evolution of the student housing sector means that accommodation is one less thing that parents have to worry about.
For more information and to book accommodation, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.