Diary of a Gen Z Student: The panic on college campuses for decent digs

"In theory, students should be every landlord’s wet dream. The standard of living that we’ll accept is abysmal. We want a mattress, a roof, a shower, and a front door."

Jane Cowan in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin Photograph Moya Nolan

Oh, season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. It’s that glorious time of year again: back to college season. My list of things to prepare before returning to campus is growing longer by the day.

Sourcing books from my reading lists, picking my daily cappuccino haunt for the year ahead, figuring out my timetable, and deciding which seat in the library to claim as my own. I’ve got a lot going on.