Moving out is something many college students wish for, but it’s not always as glorious as you might think. I commuted to campus my first two years of college but moved into a campus apartment with my best friend my junior year. I was beyond excited to live on my own. I counted down the days until it was time to move into my new apartment, not thinking of what problems would soon arise.

I didn’t know that a campus apartment was basically just like a dorm room with a kitchen and bathroom. My best friend and I share a room and I’m pretty sure it’s even smaller than a dorm bedroom... so I've learned a couple lessons. Some of these situations might not pertain to everyone living on their own unless you live in a campus apartment, but I have definitely found myself in these predicaments.

Moving Day

Expectation: You move your stuff into the apartment and have a blast decorating and organizing. You put everything in its proper spot and everything is so neat and tidy.

Reality: You bring way too many things with you for the tiny dorm-size living space you’re now in. You try to find a place for everything but there really isn’t a place for most of your belongings.

Laundry

Expectation: You wash your clothes on a nice every-three-day schedule. You never run out of clothes to wear, making each morning before class a breeze.

Reality: Your dirty clothes pile up under your lofted bed. Your closet only holds the few items of clothing you never wear, and your mornings before class are spent sifting through clothes trying to find something clean to wear. You make many more trips home than you thought you would (if you have the option to).

Cooking

Expectation: The cookware you brought with you is put to good use because you cook a healthy dinner for yourself every night.

Reality: You hardly ever touch a pot or pan in the kitchen. You get fast food or takeout most nights and eat in front of the TV while watching Netflix.

Morning Routine

Expectation: You wake up early every morning before class in order to get ready, cook breakfast, and have some free time for yourself.

Reality: You wake up with 15 minutes to get ready and forget to grab a granola bar on your way out the door.

Studying

Expectation: You study at your desk every night, putting the new desk supplies and agenda you bought to good use.

Reality: You move the desk supplies you bought out of the way to scatter clothes, makeup, and other junk all over your desk because there isn’t room anywhere else.