Solo-summer living in Leeds.
So, your flatmates have packed up and gone! Home to family, off on internships, or relaxing on sunny beaches. Meanwhile, you’re in Leeds, possibly juggling a placement, dissertation deadlines, or just staying put because Leeds just feels like home. You might not have expected to be living alone, and maybe you miss the constant hum of housemates.
At first, the silence feels strange or unwanted. The kettle doesn’t get as much use, you forget how loud your own footsteps sound, and it’s always your turn to take the bin out. Don’t worry, we’ve got three pieces of advice from someone who’s been exactly where you are (and secretly loved it).
1. Find a Routine That Works for You
With no one around to shape your day, time can either feel infinite or you feel like you spend your whole life working. Either way, finding a routine that works for you can help these summer months have some all-important structure.
You don’t have to schedule every hour of your life, but having some regular rhythms can help the days pass smoothly. For example, your routine might look like:
9–10am: Exercise/movement, breakfast.
10am-12pm: Studying/placement assignments.
12pm-2pm: Break, lunch, outside time.
2–5pm: Tidying, laundry, catching-up with friends.
5–7pm: Dinner, light study/placement work session.
7pm-bedtime: Socialising, food shopping/meal prep, crafting.
Try to balance movement, rest, and work. These three things will keep you brain and body happy, whilst making sure you don’t burn out before the semester starts.
You want a routine that’s supportive, not restrictive, and don’t worry if it changes week to week. The best routines grow with you.
2. Find Your People (Even New Ones)
Just because your flat has gone quiet doesn’t mean your whole social life has to. Loads of students stick around over summer or live in Leeds all the time. You’re definitely not alone.
It might feel daunting, but branching out can start small. Join a summer sports club. Look for pop-up workshops, society events, or volunteering opportunities. Even chatting to someone new at your regular café can add colour to your week. Not sure where to start? Try looking at VisitLeeds, LUU Engage, or what’s on at Left Bank.
And don’t forget the friends you already have. Plan when you’re going to catch up in advance, suggest a video call, or plan a weekend visit. Remind yourself that your people are still out there, waiting to come home.
3. Find the Positives in Living Alone
Yes, it’s quieter. But also, there’s no queue for the bathroom, no passive-aggressive messages, no one leaving their dirty plates to ‘rinse’ for months at a time. Living alone can be the break we all need.
Use this time to shape your space without compromise. Rearrange your room. Hang prints that you love. Light candles that smell like home. Don’t wait for your flatmates to return to make it feel like yours, do it now, for you.
There’s something empowering in knowing you can make a space your own and enjoy your own company. Quiet doesn’t have to mean lonely, it can mean grounded and safe.
Living alone over summer might not have been your plan, and you might be worried about coping. You can still access support from the Uni during summer, so reach out when you need a helping hand.
With the right routine, connections, and décor, it can become something surprisingly meaningful. You’re running the show now, and you’re doing better than you think.
