l said goodbye to the dorm life and made the big move off campus. With all of the excitement, came the realization that I was responsible for more than I ever had been before. Living off campus for a few months has taught me a few things. Here is a list of the top ten things I have learned from moving off campus.
1. Lights Out
Turn off the light when you leave the room. If I left the light on at home, my mom would say, "Do you pay the electrical bill?" Paying for utilities has led to an understanding of her frustration.
2. Save water.
Let the laundry pile up. Washing one or two articles of clothing at a time will show on the electrical bill. So, wait for the basket to be overfilled or for the underwear drawer to be empty.
3. You might get hot and sweaty.
Fans are cheaper than air conditioning. Prepare to sweat out all those toxins in your three bedroom hotbox.
4. You will be your own personal chef.
Food is expensive. After you've gone through the effort of grocery shopping, it's time to carry the groceries up three flights of stairs and put it all away. Hungry yet? Now, it's time to cook it all.
5. Your bank account after rent is due.
Rent is expensive.You’ll appreciate your parents even more when you realize how many hours it takes at work to pay rent. You'll also appreciate having more roommates and cutting the costs even further.
6. Your bank account is sad on a daily basis.
You’ll be more money conscious. Buying that new phone or T.V. becomes less important when you have a water and electric bill that must be paid on time.
7. It's all about the little things in life.
Don't take the little things for granted. Toilet paper always available at home? Milk in the fridge? Now, that’s only true if you go out to the store.
8. Waking up to your best friends every morning is the best part of the day.
Living with best friends seems like a dream come true. Remember to respect boundaries and talk it out.
9. Use inside voices and be mindful of the neighbors.
Be respectful of the neighbors. Test the limits too many times and you’ll be greeted by noise complaints or a visit from the police.
10. What is this adulting you speak of?
Being an adult isn’t easy. Coming home to your own apartment or house that you help pay for deserves a pat on the back.
