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A College Student's Survival Guide To Living Alone

Growing up isn't easy, so use this guide to help find your way to living as an adult in college.

Nadia Billings

Mar 11, 2019

Jacksonville State University

A College Student's Survival Guide To Living Alone

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There is a time in everyone's life when they have to move out, and usually, that means having to learn how to take care of themselves now that they don't have mom and dad around anymore.

For some people, this comes easy, but for others, they may not have any idea where to start. In this article, you'll find tips and tricks from people that have been there before. This tips will range from healthcare to managing your responsibilities, which we could all use some help with no matter our age.

Keeping your living space clean.

At times this might seem like the bane of your existence, but keeping your living space clean can lead to a more positive attitude and making easier to want to get things done. To make this easy, you can make a cleaning chart to keep up with tasks that need to be done around the apartment.

Learn to do the basics.

This can mean a few things, like learning how to cook basic meals that are easy to put together and don't require that many ingredients. Also, you should learn how to wash your clothes on the regular, and correctly so you don't have any shrunken clothes.

Make a budget.

Seriously. This one is super important, but not the most exciting. Having your own place comes with many expenses you may have not thought about before, so having a monthly budget will help make sure you stay on track and don't end up overspending.

Realize you don't have to have the nicest things.

It's nice to splurge on yourself and get some luxury items on occasion, but you don't need to have the finest kitchen set or most expensive towels. Things that you can cut cost on, do it. If it doesn't affect the usefulness of the product, there is no use spending the extra dough on top of the line things.

Find the decorations that makes you happy.

Decorating can really liven up a place and make it feel more like home. Even if this means getting some nice curtains or a throw pillow, starting to decorate can help you settle into your new living space.

Get out of the house.

For some this one might not be so hard, but it is important to remember to get out and go interact with the outside world other than classes. Taking some outside leisure time is good for the mindset and can even make you a happier person.

You make your own rules, but that comes with responsibility.

Sure, watching TV all night or stay up playing video games seems like a good idea, but when you have class the next day it won't be fun in the morning. You have to learn be responsible for those kinds of things.

Be kind to yourself.

Take care of your mental health, it's ok to not be the best at everything as long as you try. Also, it's ok to treat yourself to some nice things every once in a while.

Keeping up with laundry/dishes.

On top of keeping up with other house hold chores, it is imperative that you don't get behind on your laundry and dishes before they pile up and you have to eat cereal out of a cup and wear a super dirty shirt to class.

Know how to take care of yourself if you get sick.

You don't have to have a full hospital in your medicine cabinet, but you should keep a stock of pain relievers and a basic first aid kit that includes things like band-aids and antibiotic ointments for any kinds of bumps or cuts you could get. In case of a cold, you should also have some medicine on standby.

I hope these tips and tricks are helpful to you and they make the adventure of living alone that much easier.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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A College Student's Survival Guide To Living Alone

Growing up isn't easy, so use this guide to help find your way to living as an adult in college.

Keeping your living space clean.

Learn to do the basics.

Make a budget.

Realize you don't have to have the nicest things.

Find the decorations that makes you happy.

Get out of the house.

You make your own rules, but that comes with responsibility.

Be kind to yourself.

Keeping up with laundry/dishes.

Know how to take care of yourself if you get sick.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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