Compare who is responsible for the accommodation
The largest difference between school housing, homestay and a third-party platform is not room type but who handles failed check-in, lost keys, noise or a safety problem. Obtain contacts and working hours for the housing provider, school and booking platform.
Test the commute twice
Check one route for arrival day with luggage and another for a real class day. Record door-to-door time, interchange, final walk, late-class return and weekend difference; do not conclude from a map that a property is 'close to school'.
Break total cost into variables
List room charge, meals, cleaning, linen, key/deposit, check-in timing, transport, taxes and cancellation/change terms separately. Mark any item without written price or conditions as 'to confirm', not as a quote.
Leave useful records on check-in day
Without intruding on others' privacy, record room condition, entry system, equipment issue and contact. Confirm waste, laundry, visitors, quiet hours and emergency-exit rules; if accommodation differs from the order, raise it in writing through the formal channel immediately.