10 things you only know if you live in an all-girls uni house: Birmingham edition

Living in an all-girls uni house is like living in organised chaos 24/7. There’s laughter, tears, Ben and Jerry’s, and the occasional passive-aggressive note stuck to the fridge.

From midnight therapy sessions to dramatic debriefs, here are 10 things you would only understand after surviving a house full of girls all trying to get a degree, all whilst trying to hold it together. It’s a daily struggle and a group effort.

1. Daily sweet treat runs

A sacred ritual in an all-girls house that is mandatory at least once a week but definitely more. Whether it’s a quick trip to Tesco or big Sainsbury’s (if you’re lucky enough to live close or even luckier to own a car), these trips are non-negotiable.

If one girl gets a craving, then the whole house must oblige to the sweet treat run. Crocs and Oodies at the ready, mentally scanning the chocolate aisle before you’ve even left the house. Sweet treat runs with the gals are always the highlight of my day.

2. The monthly period sync-ups

The dreaded week where the kettle is used and abused for the endless hot water bottles, peppermint teas and massive bowls of pasta, essential to get through period week. The communal bag of Mini Eggs is hidden away because everyone is responsible for their own choccy fix during this time.

Period week is the one time that the house is quiet, the usual chaos is swapped for silence as everyone’s on bedrest all day every day. With everyone PMSing, made worse with everyone cooking in the kitchen at the same time with one oven, this is a recipe for disaster only the girlies will know…

3. Hair is EVERYWHERE

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Living with a bunch of girls has made me understand why my mum always moans that my hair is everywhere. It’s really not fun finding someone else’s hair wrapped around your toes and even if you hoovered the whole house every day, those hair clumps would persist. Don’t even get me started on the dreaded drain hair – just the thought of pulling it out makes me feel sick. I can smell the shower drain hair typing this and its making me feel sick. Sometimes I just wish we were all bald, life would be so much easier.

4. Morning after debrief of sports night and Circo Mondays

Am I going to cringe? Absolutely. But will I still be sat front and centre, ready for the tea? Of course. Every single time. There is nothing better than the morning after – I stand by that.

Comparing horror stories of who was spotted in the Circo queue and who you accidentally bumped into in the toilets. Hearing who slept with who? Who sent the worst drunk text? Who couldn’t handle their drink? And most importantly, who’s ordering the much needed Maccies breakfast. There’s nothing better than your friends saying they have drama to tell and the anticipation kills me each time.

5. Communal wardrobes… what’s mine is yours 

Need a cowboy hat or fairy wings for sports night? Don’t worry girl, someone’s got it. Just don’t be surprised when your cute new Zara top goes missing before you even had a chance to wear it.

Communal wardrobes are not for the weak, but it works both ways. You must sacrifice your favourite hoodie every once in a while and in return, you can borrow someone’s Motel Rocks jeans for the day. I’m still looking for my urban outfitters top which my housemate has “borrowed”, its been at least 20 days since I’ve last saw it.

6. You can’t be sad when it’s new flower day!

You can bet that there will always be a fresh (or slightly dead) bouquet in every room of the house. Got to have some daffs on show, cause they are so cheap. And of course the occasional vase of roses when a boyfriend did something wrong.

The house always smells like a florist so beware if you suffer from hay fever, take your pills before entering.

Obviously you can’t forget about the crusty dead flowers that have been left by the kitchen sink for way too long because “they still have a bit of life left in them”. Probs in a pint glass as well. Flowers really do make a house a home, for us anyway.

7. Fridge and freezer stocked for emergencies

Healthy, nutritious meals? No. A life’s supply of chicken nuggets and garlic bread? Of course.

The fridge must be stocked with Barefoot wine for spontaneous wine nights and lots and lots of ice cream to treat the unexpected periods and mean boys.

I’ll be honest I don’t think I’ve seen a vegetable since September, this may be the reason why my hormones are out of control. Brown food for the win am I right?!

8. Fighting to use the washing machine is an unspoken rite of passage

In a girls’ house, our washing machine is on a constant cycle, especially because we always split our colours. Therefore, battles may commence over whose turn it is to use it.

Being in a girls house also means popping to Aldi or B&M on the regular to sniff all the scent boosters and fabric conditioners.

Warning though, you room won’t stop shaking from the constant use, but it’s all in the naming of cleaning.

9. The designated spider catcher

Every house must have one: One of the gals’ boyfriends, someone from next door or, you’re lucky enough to live with an eight legged supporter. If you are lucky enough to live with such a gem, then never, ever let her leave the house. The spiders will come the second she leaves for her 9am and then you will be stuck screaming on top of the toilet until someone comes to your rescue.

Trust me, the spiders know when you’re at your most vulnerable and that’s when they choose to strike. If it’s not this, it’s the cheeky scan of the floor for silverfish which the landlord call harmless until they start multiplying.

10. Unhinged sisterhood

They might steal your clothes and get on your nerves occasionally, but at the end of the day, those girls are gonna be your ride or dies.

You will always have someone to help you cook dinner when your mum ignores your calls, listen to your rants and give you brutally honest advice. Those girls will tell you the truth about your outfit, tell you whether or not to text him first, and help convince you not to drop out of uni.

Those girls will always have you back no matter what. They’re your sisters away from home. Keep your uni friends close and your house girlies even closer.