Living off campus is a liberating time. You finally aren't living in half a room with a single bed; You actually can have friends over and you have a full kitchen to use whenever you please. I was so excited to move off-campus my sophomore year of college, but there was a lot I didn't know. This is what I wish I'd known before moving off-campus:
1. You need to do a lot of cleaning.
Dust collects quickly. During the fall, your house is overtaken by leaves. You will need to clean your stove regularly. Buy cleaning products and be prepared to use them.
2. You will need to buy a lot of items for your kitchen.
You can't just live with one of everything not matter how chronically single you are. You need pots, pans, silverware, plates, bowls, coffee mugs, serving bowls, measuring cups, spatulas, cooking spoons, steak knives, chopping knives, a dish rack, dish towels, pot holders, oven mitts and about 50 other things that I have failed to buy for my kitchen. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through cooking dinner and realizing you forgot to buy a can opener.
3. Clean out your fridge regularly.
On the topic of kitchens, make sure to clean out your fridge on a weekly basis. You really don't want to get to the end of the semester and find a fuzzy, identifiable blob in the back of your fridge. Save yourself the horror and throw out old food frequently.
4. Budget, budget, budget.
Bills add up: grocery bills, heating bills, water bills, electricity bills-- Life is a never ending cycle of bills. Set aside money for bills first. This is your number one priority. Take the extra spending money you have at the end of each month and put at least 75% of that in the bank. You will be very grateful for this saved money when your car dies or when you actually have money in your account after graduation.
5. Being the party house is fun, but it has consequences.
Don't get me wrong, it is so much fun to throw an awesome rager with all of your college buddies, but you know what isn't awesome? Waking up to a broken window, trash everywhere and a random freshman asleep on your couch. Repeating this every single weekend has some serious consequences (and most likely a loss of your security deposit).
6. Living with your friends is fun, but maybe not the best choice.
Living under the same roof can put a strain on even the strongest of relationships. Be prepared to see parts of your friends that you never thought you would ever encounter. Think carefully about whom you choose to move in with. A lease is a binding legal contract that you cannot back out on easily.
7. Read your lease carefully.
On the topic of leases, don't skim over your lease. This is not clicking "I accept" to the new Terms and Conditions on iTunes. It is a very important legal document. Make sure it is fair and agreeable. If you don't know what a lease is supposed to contain, talk to a real adult, not another college student. I guarantee that they have signed a lease before.
8. Know how to write a check.
You will probably be writing a lot of checks: rent checks, checks for your bills, checks to your university. It seems like a simple skill and it really isn't difficult. Just make sure you know how to properly write one.
9. Don't order delivery every night.
It is tempting to skip the hassle that is grocery shopping and cooking but delivery costs add up. Not to mention most delivery options are not the healthiest. You can cook plenty of healthy options in your own home. Learn how to make some low-cost, healthy meals before you get your own place.
10. Plan your packing.
This is not dorm life. You can't just throw random items into a suitcase and call it a day. Carefully consider what you need in your home.
Living off-campus can lead to some of the best times in your college career. Movie nights with your best friends and a home cooked meal are common occurrences. It is wonderful to have our own space to come home and relax in. Just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into!
