This summer, I decided to stay in the dorms so that I could find a better-paying summer job in the city. I currently live by myself, which has its ups and downs. I feel more independent and I am getting better at "adulting" every day, but there are some things that I need to brush up on. The following are some of the things that I have learned and that my friends have learned living on our own... kinda.
1. How to work old school washers and dryers.
I remember watching my boyfriend do laundry and him turning to me and asking, "Does the soap go here?" He was pointing at the fabric softener tower in the center of the washing machine. "I don't think so, it just goes in with the clothes," I replied.
Before we knew it we had five or six people in the tiny laundry room all arguing about how to work the washing machine. Then we realized the washer had instructions written on the underside of its lid. Problem solved, and now we can all flawlessly operate a washer and dryer.
2. How to cook for ourselves... sort of.
Although I am guilty of setting off the fire alarm in the freshman dorms while trying to cook bacon on a dollar-store pan with a rubber spatula, I have improved immensely and haven't caused a full-scale dorm-wide evacuation since then. But, I have burned spaghetti sauce to the point of no return and Dominoes Pizza knows me by name and has my usual order and address memorized. Needless to say, I think many of us have mastered the art of the microwave.
3. How to save money.
I think every college student encounters the scary moment of "Oh no, I can't afford to feed myself or fill up my car this week," and then proceeds to pray for the remainder of the week that nothing bad happens to them. After encountering this life-changing moment, I found that I am much better at not going out to eat, (Instead I just burn some spaghetti sauce if need be), avoiding movie theaters and concerts, searching for knock-off brand groceries, and saving my money for tuition and books.
4. Cleaning.
We used to get mad when our parents made us do it but now we understand why they made us do it. When I first started living in the dorms I had to break down and by Clorox and a vacuum cleaner because I just couldn't take it any more.
5. Time management.
Instead of spending hours playing Xbox or watching TV, I am now forced to have multiple jobs on top of college classes to pay for all of the spaghetti sauce and bacon that I burn.
6. How to make the best of a bad situation.
I'm a little bit broke, I don't have the nicest place, my car isn't reliable, I can't afford name brand clothes, shoes, food, or soap, but I'm having a good time learning how to live on my own and I know that the best is yet to come.
