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September is here, classes are starting, and every listing you open seems to say the same thing: sold out, unavailable or already reserved. At that point, finding student accommodation can feel almost impossible. But searching late does not mean there are no options left. It usually means the way you search needs to change.

August is here and September’s just around the corner. The countdown to the start of your university life has begun. You’re feeling a mixture of nerves, excitement and a real desire to take on the world.

Sabadell is the best-kept secret for thousands of university students. If you want to escape the hectic pace of the big city but need Barcelona to be just a stone’s throw away, this town is the perfect choice. It perfectly combines a peaceful setting, bustling shopping streets, green spaces and a vibrant young community.

Valencia has a special appeal. It’s not just the Mediterranean sunshine, the perfect climate or the proximity to the sea. This city has established itself as one of the most prominent and sought-after university destinations in Spain. If you’re certain that you’ll be spending the next few years here, we’ll tell you this much: it’s a great decision.

Starting university away from home is one of the most exciting adventures of your life. You arrive in a new city, check out your student accommodation, meet your future best friends and begin to savour that long-awaited university independence.

But, let’s not kid ourselves: on this new journey, two small but inevitable challenges usually crop up. The first is that you’re going to miss home and your family traditions from time to time. The second is much more pragmatic: making sure to get to the eight o’clock class on time.

At Canvas Student, our aim is much more than simply providing student accommodation; we want to create a real home away from home. That’s why, at this time of year when thousands of young people are getting their university offers and planning the upcoming academic year, we wanted to launch a very special initiative to tackle both these challenges with a healthy dose of humour, empathy and emotion.

Introducing Fam O’Clock: the only alarm clock that can get you out of bed by making you feel as though you’re with your loved ones.

Bordeaux may be known around the world for wine and elegant architecture, but student life here goes far beyond the usual postcard images. The city is compact enough to explore between classes and varied enough to keep every weekend different. One day might mean browsing a food market with friends; the next could involve an immersive exhibition, a cycle along the Garonne or a train towards the Atlantic coast.