DDs experience was very much in line with that of watchingblueplanet’s DD.
She can confirm the dope fumes rising over Hyatt Baker and the isolation. Wardens were withdrawn at the end of her year, and students had to demonstrate to retain senior residents. It was said that food delivery services would not deliver, but drug dealers would. They may be adults but putting 12 young strangers, many with money and away from home for the first time, in a flat together is at best optimistic. DDs flat felt like Lord of the Flies. The dominant immature, but strong character, effectively regressed to Yr 7 bullying. At one point a local drug dealer was squatting in their flat. It was not safe.
In retrospect she would have preferred somewhere in Clifton or even on of the City halls. Students are advised not to walk over the downs in the dark and needing a bus to then catch a once on hour bus to a rural placement, or to get to early lectures was a nightmare.
I don’t think they were all all Private School. A friend’s DD, fresher last year and state school educated, felt they were a mix of state and private. What they had in common were affluent but sheltered London and South East backgrounds, a certain naïveté, and a determination to party.
A friend who manages student accommodation for a private contractor elsewhere confirmed their approach as mad. Units were too large. You needed strong ties with discipline arrangements at the University. Her security patrolled every couple of hours through the night and loud noise or strong smells were investigated. Not least they had to protect their investment.
Bubbles, when did your DD last visit Bristol halls? It must be a decade since she was looking for University accommodation. Things change.