So freshmen are moving into their dorms... and you're just happy that you're finally getting off-campus and into a brand new (sort of) apartment. Your own bedroom, bathroom, and closet. Your space. A full kitchen.
Freedom.
You've planned out what you're bringing with all of your roommates, made a Pinterest board devoted to your first apartment, and maybe even named your apartment (s/o to rage cage). Lemme tell you, it's no fun and games. Here's a real AF guide to apartment living.
1. Clean your shit.
#1 RULE. I broke this quite a few times, NGL. And you're lying to yourself if you say you always kept your room clean. When you put a dirty dish in the sink, clean it within 12 hours. Clean it as soon as you put it in the sink. It just saves time later when you have a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Keep a vacuum and Resolve close by. You'll def need it if you wanna throw parties.
2. Only bring what you need.
You might think that you have more room, but trust me, you do not need three 9x13 pans and a quesadilla maker. Chances are you're only going to make pasta and need only a sauce pan and pasta pot. As for your room, only bring the clothes that you actually wear. Clutter is a real thing.
3. Don't throw big parties.
Off-campus apartment parties are where it's at, but if you want to get your deposit back and want to keep your place semi-clean, don't have a lot of people over. A few people are OK, but don't invite your whole 300 person lecture. ESPECIALLY if you have carpet. If you have carpet, just say goodbye to parties in your own home.
4. Communicate with your roommates.
No one likes passive-aggressiveness. That being said, don't be like "we really need to wash the dishes" when you're specifically talking about one person and everyone knows it. Call that person out. Passive-aggressiveness is not cool. Just call them out, nicely, and no one will get hurt. Communication is key with roommates. Tell them when you're having someone over. Tell them when the maintenance are coming by to fix something. Tell them when you're not going to be home. Ask them if you can have people over, don't just show up with people in tow.
5. Do pay your bills on time.
This is kinda self-explanatory, but please pay your bills on time. If it's one day late, that's fine, but if it happens every month, then you have a problem. Especially if your roommates split up utilities and you have to pay your part of the check to the respective roommate on time. Just do it. If you can't one month, see #4 ahead of time.
6. Plan your meals.
When you move off-campus, that means you have to go grocery shopping. And you have more room in your fridge and pantry. Now's the time to start planning your meals out, and not just Ramen. Maybe you want to make Chicken Parmesan one night? Or tacos? Make a list with your roomies to see what everyone needs and do a group shopping trip. And coupons. Coupons, coupons, coupons. Coupons and a Kroger Plus card will literally save your life.
7. If you don't need cable, then don't get it.
If you only need cable to watch The Bachelor, then don't get it. Nowadays, TV is all on the computer. Netflix, Hulu, Xfinity On Demand, and any TV channel upload their shows online. You're paying so much for rent and utilities, you can deal without cable.
8. Respect your roommates- and the apartment.
In addition to #4, you need to have respect for your roommates' stuff and your own stuff. Don't trash their side, don't trash the living area or kitchen. This is their space too. If you know you're a messy person, then try to clean up your stuff. You will disagree and argue with your roommates - you're going to be living together for a full year. But your apartment will be hell if there's no respect.
In addition to these guidelines and rules, have fun! You finally got out of the dorms and into your FIRST apartment. Have fun, go wild, get a dog, and enjoy the freedom.
