Part 3 of my Studyblr University Orientation Week!Â
Living fully on your own for the first time is one of the hardest things you will ever do. Youâre now responsible for everything about your life and it can be pretty overwhelming at first (especially if youâve got anxiety like me). So here are a few tips to help you out!Â
Get good roommates. Screen them vigorously to make sure that youâll be able to live with them. âRoommate from hellâ isnât just something in movies.Â
Be a good roommate yourself. The best way to get along with someone is to have them like you. This means respecting their space, privacy, and belongings. Donât eat their food, donât steal their clothes without asking, and donât go into their room without knocking.Â
Label the food you put in the fridge. Itâs the easiest way to avoid disputes. This means also respecting the labels on your roommateâs food.Â
Work out a cleaning schedule and be sure to stick to it.Â
Budget. This includes your money and your time. You need to be sure that you wonât starve but also that you make time in your busy schedule to do things like the dishes or vacuuming.Â
Learn a few basic recipes. Knowing how to make a really good grilled cheese can save your ass when youâre in a pickle over money.Â
At some point in time you will open your fridge and cupboards only to realize that you have no food. It will be ten at night and all the grocery stores near you have just closed. You will make something absolutely disgusting. Heads-up: egg noodles in beef broth is absolutely horrible. Please do not repeat my mistakes.Â
Youâll most likely have to commute a little ways to school. Iâll be doing a commuting post tomorrow, but for now just take this one piece of advice: know where youâre going. Know the exact stop you get on the bus at, which bus to catch, if you need to transfer, and what stop to get off at. It sounds pretty simple, but I had a roommate who had no clue where she was going half the time.Â
Call home for advice. Your parents know how to handle/fix most problems.Â
Own basic tools. Know how to use them. At the very least you need a screwdriver.Â
Get a drying rack for your laundry. Itâll save you money on the machines and it usually only takes a day or two for most clothes to dry (maybe longer if theyâre jeans or a hoodie).Â
Donât forget to sweep. Dirt appears out of nowhere. One day you will sweep and then find that your floor is still covered in dirt even though you were meticulous. I donât get it either.Â
Tell your roommate(s) as soon as youâre having a problem. They may not listen, but at least you will have done your job.Â