Part 3 of my Studyblr University Orientation Week!
Living fully on your own for the first time is one of the hardest things you will ever do. You’re now responsible for everything about your life and it can be pretty overwhelming at first (especially if you’ve got anxiety like me). So here are a few tips to help you out!
Get good roommates. Screen them vigorously to make sure that you’ll be able to live with them. “Roommate from hell” isn’t just something in movies.
Be a good roommate yourself. The best way to get along with someone is to have them like you. This means respecting their space, privacy, and belongings. Don’t eat their food, don’t steal their clothes without asking, and don’t go into their room without knocking.
Label the food you put in the fridge. It’s the easiest way to avoid disputes. This means also respecting the labels on your roommate’s food.
Work out a cleaning schedule and be sure to stick to it.
Budget. This includes your money and your time. You need to be sure that you won’t starve but also that you make time in your busy schedule to do things like the dishes or vacuuming.
Learn a few basic recipes. Knowing how to make a really good grilled cheese can save your ass when you’re in a pickle over money.
At some point in time you will open your fridge and cupboards only to realize that you have no food. It will be ten at night and all the grocery stores near you have just closed. You will make something absolutely disgusting. Heads-up: egg noodles in beef broth is absolutely horrible. Please do not repeat my mistakes.
You’ll most likely have to commute a little ways to school. I’ll be doing a commuting post tomorrow, but for now just take this one piece of advice: know where you’re going. Know the exact stop you get on the bus at, which bus to catch, if you need to transfer, and what stop to get off at. It sounds pretty simple, but I had a roommate who had no clue where she was going half the time.
Call home for advice. Your parents know how to handle/fix most problems.
Own basic tools. Know how to use them. At the very least you need a screwdriver.
Get a drying rack for your laundry. It’ll save you money on the machines and it usually only takes a day or two for most clothes to dry (maybe longer if they’re jeans or a hoodie).
Don’t forget to sweep. Dirt appears out of nowhere. One day you will sweep and then find that your floor is still covered in dirt even though you were meticulous. I don’t get it either.
Tell your roommate(s) as soon as you’re having a problem. They may not listen, but at least you will have done your job.
