I am a college student at Colorado State University. Last year I lived in the dorms, and this year I am living off campus in an apartment with a good friend. There are struggles about living in an apartment but there also perks about being on your own.

1. Loud neighbors.

They have elephant feet and stomp around all day and they roll things around the floor loudly. There have been many times when we plot their deaths. Ways we get back is by playing loud music.

2. Mail

We constantly get previous residents mail. Coupons come in the mail for places that we will never go to. Oh and you can't forget the amount of bills. For once wouldn't it be nice to get money in the mail?

3. Bills

I feel like I am constantly paying bills (rent, utilities, electricity, WiFi, credit card, etc.) They never end! Plus we have to pay these bills on top of school tuition. We are so broke we drink our tears for dinner.

4. Food

On top of drinking our tears, food is not exactly limited, but you definitely make the most of what you have. I have made some interesting dinners this year based on the ingredients I've had in the fridge and cupboard. But the bright side is that they turned out to be pretty good! But it makes me miss and appreciate when I go home to home-cooked meals.

5. Temperature

When you live in the in-ground level apartment, it has different temperatures than other rooms. During the summer it can stay a solid cool temp, which makes is perfect and comfortable. However in the fall/winter it also stays a solid cool temp, or you feel like hell froze over. Plus you have a dilemma about how much you can turn on the heat because that only adds to your electricity bill. It also doesn't help when the windows are older than we are and they allow more heat to escape then to actually keep in.

6. Cleaning

Always cleaning. Two people do make messes. When you feel like you're done paying your bills you can switch tasks to cleaning. Whether it be dishes, the bathroom, trash. If you're not paying something off you're cleaning.

Overall living in an apartment has made me realize that being an adult is hard and sometimes not fun. However the bright side of having an apartment is:

7. Satisfaction

I can come home and be proud that I am living on my own, and that the little tiny area I just walked into is something I can call mine. I am satisfied that I am there and I am somewhat successful at living on my own.

8. Food

It may suck to have to cook, but you are so proud of that thing you just made. "I really don't know what I just threw together, but it was actually good!"

9. Decorating

I have enjoyed decorating our apartment for the holidays. It makes coming home even more enjoyable because it looks cute and festive. Decorating has been fun for both me and my roommate.

10. Gatherings (Parties, kickbacks)

Since you have your own apartment you can have people over for gatherings. You can watch football together, watch movies, play games, etc. (Plus it could be a perfect opportunity for payback to your neighbors.)

11. Visitors

Since moving into my apartment, my siblings have taken advantage of me having an apartment. Where they can stay for business or for fun events and save some money. When I was living in the dorms they would have to stay in a hotel.