When you go to college, you think of it as the first time living on your own, but that doesn't actually start until sophomore year, at least for me it didn't. Freshman year, I lived in a dorm, I had a meal plan, I had an RA, and I had a resident coordinator. In other words, I had supervision...
I had my meals cooked for me and the only thing I really needed to know how to do was my laundry. Sophomore year, I had to really start doing everything on my own. On top of the laundry, I had to grocery shop, make my own food, leave for class a little more than 5 minutes before it started and I had absolutely no supervision for the first time in my life. This lead to lots of phone calls with my mom, lots of texts to my older sister and lots of nights thinking about how I can get my life together by tomorrow. However, its way better than I'm making it seem.
I've always loved being independent. I'm a huge advocate for "me-time" so finally getting to be completely on my own was really exciting for me. I love getting to make my own schedule and knowing I don't have to live by anybody else's rules was a plus too.
I'm a big Pinterest girl, especially the recipes. Being able to make my own food was probably what I was most excited about when I thought about living on my own. I've bookmarked hundreds of recipes on Pinterest that I am finally able to try. It's a lot more fun and nutritious than Easy Mac and late night food at the dining hall. I've found a new love for cooking since I've moved into my apartment. For others, it may be a chore to prepare their meals, but to me, it's more of a hobby.
Also, living on my own in a college apartment has made me so excited for living in another apartment after college. I cannot wait to decorate exactly how I want. Moving into this apartment, it came furnished. It's thankfully easier this way at this point in my life, but it's also given me so many ideas of how to achieve the aesthetic I want in the future, which, in turn makes me even more excited to get on with my life.
Although there are challenges to living on your own for the first time, it has been more exciting than stressful for me. I love conquering new things whether or not they're hard, and this has definitely been the biggest change in my life so far. I can't wait to see what it is like to live truly on my own after college, someday.
