If you’re anything like me, you are absolutely stressed about figuring out where you are going to live next semester. It’s easy as an incoming freshman because everything is laid out for you, and it is also a requirement to live on campus. But after we pass that year of living in the adult world, we may decide to venture off campus to find more “adult” living arrangements. But finding the right place to live is just not that easy, and it comes with a variety of emotions.

1. Picking your roommates/housemates.

This basically takes it back to the MySpace days where you picked your Top Five. Deciding whom you are going to live with the next school year can make or break several relationships. You’re trying to pick the best of the best from your friend group while simultaneously trying to convince your friends that you’re the best of the best for them.

2. Trying to be sensible.

At first, you’re a minimalist. You're thinking, "I could basically live in a cardboard box and survive all year." But then you show up to the viewing and your world comes crashing down, and you think, “Heck no!” That shower has no drain, that is a mini-fridge and the bedroom has a hole in the floor.

3. Thinking way too out of the box.

You think raising your standards will do the trick. You basically think of your dream home times 10. You show up to the viewing and it’s more than you could ever imagine. Fenced yard with a pool, extra-large rooms, and a dishwasher! But then you hear the price and your jaw drops to the floor.

4. Choking on prices.

Here’s a fact: in the adult world, things cost money. And big things like living, cost big money. You knew all of this going in and had your budget, but it still surprises you how much everything including the rent, utilities, and let alone groceries are going to cost you and your parents.

5. Pet-friendly?

Well, of course, the family dog will be coming to visit. Then again, I am an adult, so if I save enough money from my summer job I could buy myself a dog. I wonder if a husky would count as a "small dog?" If she starts out as a puppy, it’s not my fault she grew.

6. Setting a viewing appointment.

Another part of being an adult is calling to make an appointment. You mean I have to CALL another human being? Yes, because here’s a hint, most places will not return to you through email, so calling is the best solution.

7. The drive-by.

One of the best ways to see what is available is to drive through neighborhoods. It can be very useful because you have all the information you need on the leasing sign and you get a first look at what it looks like from the outside. The only intimidating part is when the owner is home and you look like a creep sitting in your car.

8. Having no clue what to look for.

Practice makes perfect, and when it comes to finding a house, it’s hard to figure out everything that you are looking for. Yes, four bedrooms because four roommates and at least two bathrooms or more, but besides that, you’re stumped. Then there is always an awkward silence when the realtor/landlord asks if you have any questions. "Should I have questions?"

9. Realizing you're behind.

The typical, “We signed our lease,” posts are rolling in this time of the year and it just makes you question everything. “Why can’t I find a place?” “Am I being too picky?” “Do I just need to settle?” “Have I seen all my options?” “I’m going to be a lonely hobbit…” It can definitely become depressing.

10. Imagining your life.

"If I had this bedroom I could wake up every morning to the sun filling my room and the birds chirping. I’ll take Buddy on our everyday run then come back and take a shower in this bathroom. Then I would turn off the oven and walk my casual 1.6 miles to my first class." You know you do it too.

11. Trying to explain to your parents.

This is probably the most stressful part of this experience. You’ll go see a house, think it is absolutely perfect, call your parents to explain everything and they’ll describe everything that is wrong. But you know that they are right and that you’d be lost without them, so you willingly start over.

12. Being too opinionated.

After some hardcore research, the search seems to have dragged on forever and you have multiple opinions now. It’s either too dark, too far, too expensive, too small, too carpeted, etc. There is always something wrong.

13. Giving up.

Finally, the search has dragged on long enough and you have just given up every inch of hope. You even find yourself settling for a storage unit and just living off the land.

But if you continue to search long and hard enough, you will find your home away from home. The first time house hunting can be stressful and overwhelming, but by working together with both your parents and future housemates, the journey is well worth it.

Good luck to all you college students and happy house hunting!