Abodus Students Say – The Elements
For the fourth instalment of our blog series, “Abodus Students Say,” we virtually sat down with Aisha, a resident of The Elements in Sheffield, to gain some insight into what it’s like to live in an Abodus accommodation.
Aisha is currently studying Economics at Sheffield Hallam University, and Sheffield is where she calls home. Aisha chose to study in her home city based on the course she wanted to study and because she loves the city as a whole.
If you’d like a glimpse into what it’s like to live at The Elements, you can read all about it in our interview with Aisha below.
In general…
Abodus
How long have you been living at The Elements?
Aisha
Since September, but I’m very familiar with the accommodation because when they opened, all my friends lived here except me, so we would spend a lot of time here. A lot of my friends and I study similar courses, and because we worked together, we also studied together. I’ve used the common room and the study room quite often. When I went on my placement year, I knew that for my final year, I wanted to come back and stay here because my friends had lived here, I knew the accommodation, and I knew the staff.
Abodus
What is your relationship like with the site team?
Aisha
They are [all] very friendly. If there’s anything I need, Christie’s always willing to help. Like, I can just drop her an email because she’s always downstairs in reception. Or I can just go downstairs and speak to her about anything I need help with.
Abodus
I know that your situation with booking was a bit unique to others’. Can you tell me what the booking process was like for you?
Aisha
When I first applied to live here, I didn’t know I was going on to my placement. I hadn’t yet heard back from any placement companies, so I’d already looked up booking [at the Elements]. I thought I was going into my final year already, so I already sort of knew the process because I went down and spoke to the manager and said, “If I don’t get into placement, I’m going to have to apply for final year.” So I already had an insight on how to book. But then I did get a placement in London, so I held off booking. So the site team said, “Whenever you can come back and check, if you want to do any viewings for a studio or any of the blocks, you’re more than welcome to. Just let us know!” But I didn’t really [have time to] come back from placement because I was working five days a week. Luckily the room that I’m sitting in at the moment, my friend had last year, so I knew he had one of the large rooms. So I was like, “Yeah, I want your room next year.” And the site team were very good with that. They took a note that I wanted the room and they said, “Yeah, the room is available. No one has booked it yet.” And then I think around that time I booked straight away, and I got confirmation straightaway. It was easy, and I got the room that I wanted.
On events and engagement…
Abodus
Have you been made aware of the virtual events we’ve put on for our residents?
Aisha
Yeah, I follow you guys on social media and we have posters in our reception and every lift. I’m very much aware of everything that is happening in terms of the social events!
Abodus
You said you follow us on social media. Have you seen any of our recent giveaways? If so, which one has been your favourite?
Aisha
Yeah, I would probably say the one you did with the trainers because I am a sneaker head. I do like trainers! And I think it was a fun giveaway because you could create your own colour scheme. I liked that aspect because it’s more interactive and personal to you. But if for any reason I miss the social media posts [for giveaways], my flatmates always tag me in them, so I easily see them. And if I’m ever in reception, Christie one of the managers or receptionist downstairs will always mention the giveaways.
Abodus
What else have you enjoyed in terms of events and engagement at The Elements?
Aisha
The free samples. I think every time I’ve gone down to reception, which is pretty much every day because I have parcels, I always see something there. There’s constantly energy drinks, loads of hand wipes, these yoghurt fruit things, and pot noodles.
Abodus
Okay, so considering all of the things that we’ve talked about, do you feel like we are offering you an experience that’s more than just a room? Like you’re getting more than just your accommodation?
Aisha
Yes, I would say so. I think it’s more than just a university accommodation. It is hard to describe, but you’re not just renting out someplace. Whereas when I was in my London accommodation [on placement], I didn’t know any of the staff. I didn’t even know how to get to certain areas [of the building] because I never had that sense of welcoming, if that makes sense. And they didn’t really offer schemes or freebies. I think the only time I’d get emails from reception or the whole team would be when rent was due or if I had a parcel. There wasn’t much of a social side to it. There was a communal area, but there wasn’t much advertising for it, so unless you sort of went to that room, you wouldn’t really know. Comparing it to the [other] experiences that I’ve had, I do think it’s more than just a room and a bathroom and a communal kitchen. I think there’s a lot more to it. It’s uni but fun, if that makes sense.
On wellbeing…
Abodus
Over the past year, have you found yourself struggling with your physical or mental wellbeing?
Aisha
Yes, but I don’t think that’s to do with the accommodation. I think mainly [it’s been] my source of wellbeing. I felt I got my sanity from gym, and obviously since gyms are closed, it’s been very difficult because there’s only so much exercising in your room and walking outside you can do. Obviously, we have a gym downstairs, but since it’s in high demand, it’s hard to get a booking. But I think it’s the aspect of going somewhere and being in an environment with people. I think it has taken a toll on quite a lot of people because there’s only so much you can do inside your four walls and with your flatmates. So I would say it has taken a toll on my wellbeing, but not to a point where I don’t feel like I can cope.
Abodus
Well, do you feel that living at The Elements has that helped at all?
Aisha
Yeah, I think moving in with people I didn’t know has really helped. I feel like living with different people this year has helped a lot in terms of just branching out because I was at home since March with no communication with anyone else. I definitely think being at university has been a good thing, and sort of like a blessing in disguise. And with the onsite team, even if I don’t have a relationship with [all of] them, I know I could go and talk to them about my wellbeing. For example, if I’m just waiting for an Uber and security or maintenance are walking around doing checks, I’ll always have a chat with them. And the same goes with Christie. I know I can always go down and speak to her about anything.
On Covid-19…
Abodus
Did you find when you came in, the signage and the communications in terms of COVID, social distancing, those sorts of things to do? Was there a lot of that on site?
Aisha
Yeah, so I don’t know if you’ve seen our reception, but we have double doors on either side. So if come through this door, you have to go around, and then you exit that door. [You have to wear] masks all the time, unless you’re in your kitchen or moving in and out of your flat. But anywhere that’s more sociable and communal, you need a mask. And I see security all the time making sure people are wearing masks and maintaining that social distance. I think it was stressed from the beginning, and it’s carried on throughout.
Abodus
So with those measures in place, do you feel like it’s pretty safe at your accommodation?
Aisha
Yeah, one hundred percent. I do feel really feel like it’s added to the safety, in terms of COVID, but also just overall [safety]. I feel like no one can get into my block or flat that isn’t supposed to be here. In my previous years [at other accommodations], I’ve had students probably drunk trying to get into the blocks or flats. I’ve not even had people knocking on our main door to get into our block this year.
Overall…
Abodus
Overall, with your time in your accommodation since September, do you feel happy and satisfied with it?
Aisha
Yes, I really do. If I was to stay on and do my masters, I would rebook [at The Elements]. I love it here.
