What I Learned From Living Alone In College
So, you signed a studio lease...
Living alone in college has its pros and cons, but it taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined.
1. The first few nights are scary
I'm not going to lie, at first, it's strange to be in an apartment without anyone else. Knowing you don't have a roommate across next to you is a very different feeling. After getting used to dorm life during your first couple of years of college, living completely alone feels so foreign. I got used to it after about a week with the help of a sound machine or keeping the TV on.
2. You're going to turn into a neat freak (hopefully)
So, you came to college and figured out that your parents aren't there to clean up for you. Great. Now that you don't have expectations from roommates or RA's, the cleanliness of your apartment is completely up to you. Personally, I was TERRIFIED I was going to let myself go. So terrified actually, that as of right now, my apartment is spotless. It makes me feel better and more productive when the dishes are done and my clothes are folded in my dresser.
3. No one is watching your eating habits
This one hit me HARD. No one is watching what you bring home from the grocery store, what you order from UberEats, or those late night snacks. It took me a long time to become aware of how my eating habits changed and how to get back to a healthy routine. I don't allow myself to come home from the grocery store with anything unhealthy and I give myself a spending limit on those GrubHub orders.
4. It's easy to get bored
There's only so much Netflix you can watch. (Or is there???) As a college student, it's a little easier to combat boredom by making sure you stay on campus all day between classes to get work done, hang out with friends, or go to the gym. I try to spend as little time in my apartment during the day as I can. A little company can go a long way.
5. DECORATE
When you live alone, you are going to want to make your place feel "homey." Throw pillows do WONDERS for your living room as well as a throw blanket draping over the couch. Hang your favorite canvas' and light some candles. Print pictures of your closest friends and family and make a collage somewhere in your bedroom. Recreate your Pinterest board in your own home.
6. Your friends still exist
Living alone is no excuse to isolate yourself. In fact, that's the last thing you should do. Invite people over for dinner or have a slumber party. You may have moved out of the dorms, but it doesn't mean you have to act like it.
7. Confidence.
I learned a lot about responsibility while living alone. Over everything, the most important thing I gained from my experience was heightened confidence in my ability to tackle life after college. Wherever life takes me, I'm confident in myself and my ability to adapt.
