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For those who lived on/near campus, what advice do you have for living independently for the first time?
Office Hours #2: SDSU College Student Panel
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7 answers
Karen Munoz
Product Development Manager
24
Answers
Troy, Michigan
Updated
Karen’s Answer
I would recommend finding a roommate- someone that you get along with well, and perhaps has a similar class schedule or study habits. It is important to find a good match. Also, be sure that the place that you find is within your budget, in a safe area, and preferable close to campus. Living off campus for the first time is a good opportunity to get used to living independently- cooking, doing your own laundry, etc. Good luck!
Jon Wasson
Product Director
24
Answers
Powhatan, Virginia
Updated
Jon’s Answer
Living in a dorm room, and then living on your own in an apartment, etc. is very similar in many reqards, but there are new things to consider.
You must still keep the place neat and clean, make your own bed and wash your own clothes. These simple things do grow in size though, because literally you are now in a bigger place than your single dorm room. There will be more to clean and more to keep organized.
And of course there will be the bigger items... buying your own groceries, paying your own bills, buying your own furniture and other necessities for a home. But this is the exciting part, you are now making your own space and your can make it yours!
This is all manageable with a budget and efficient time management. You have to keep track of your finances and when bills are due, and of course ensure you pay them on time (so you keep the lights on literally!). Reserve a little time per month to focus on this stuff and you should be fine.
There will be other time that is required too (i.e. when to go the grocery story, when to run the laundry, when to run the vacuum, when to scrub the toilets/tub, etc.). This stuff is probably a little less "fun" then just "living" in a dorm room but it's a reasonable sacrifice to take that next step and gain more freedom and personal space. No shared shower area or restrooms, no late night students roaming the halls, no messes left in the hallways by kids that don't respect that area, etc... this is now your space and you can to start to shape it how you want.
Speaking of that, make sure to save a little money here or there so you can truly purchase a few things that express your style and create a little sense of "home" for you. Maybe just a picture or artwork or a neat lamp or coffee table. It's your space, make it feel like "your home"!
You must still keep the place neat and clean, make your own bed and wash your own clothes. These simple things do grow in size though, because literally you are now in a bigger place than your single dorm room. There will be more to clean and more to keep organized.
And of course there will be the bigger items... buying your own groceries, paying your own bills, buying your own furniture and other necessities for a home. But this is the exciting part, you are now making your own space and your can make it yours!
This is all manageable with a budget and efficient time management. You have to keep track of your finances and when bills are due, and of course ensure you pay them on time (so you keep the lights on literally!). Reserve a little time per month to focus on this stuff and you should be fine.
There will be other time that is required too (i.e. when to go the grocery story, when to run the laundry, when to run the vacuum, when to scrub the toilets/tub, etc.). This stuff is probably a little less "fun" then just "living" in a dorm room but it's a reasonable sacrifice to take that next step and gain more freedom and personal space. No shared shower area or restrooms, no late night students roaming the halls, no messes left in the hallways by kids that don't respect that area, etc... this is now your space and you can to start to shape it how you want.
Speaking of that, make sure to save a little money here or there so you can truly purchase a few things that express your style and create a little sense of "home" for you. Maybe just a picture or artwork or a neat lamp or coffee table. It's your space, make it feel like "your home"!
Samantha Secrest
Teacher
63
Answers
Fort Myers, Florida
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Living by yourself can be a really fun experience. Make sure to design the space exactly how you want it. This will be a place completely different from a dorm so make sure that it is a space where you want to spend your time and feel relaxed. I would also recommend setting some "rules" for yourself when it comes to things like cleaning. That was one of the biggest things for me when I moved out. I made a schedule and it was basically on Sunday's I vacuumed. Monday's I dusted, Wednesday I decluttered the counters/room, Thursday's were laundry day (less busy), Friday's were usually chill days or sweeping if needed, and Saturday's I didn't really do anything. Everyday make your bed, clean the dishes and spray down your tub after you shower (makes cleaning a lot easier). Doing something like this will minimize the stress of having to clean the entire place in one day!
Elana Elstein
Consultant
22
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Elana’s Answer
You will need to spend time and.money for things that were easier in the dorms....shopping for food, planning and preparing meals. Is there laundry in your apartment building or do you need to build in laundromat trips? What about getting to campus now? Bike? Bus? And keeping your place clean (to the level you and your roommates want).
David Fought
Management
2
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
David’s Answer
When I was younger, I could not wait to get out on my own and get my own apartment on campus! I answered a couple of ads in the local campus paper for a roommate because I knew I could not afford it on my own as I was only working 30 hours a week maximum during school. I found someone who was very nice and we had similar interests so we decided to get an apartment together and split rent and utilities 50/50. Because I was super eager to get my own place, I jumped at the offer. In hindsight, I wish I would have vetted the situation more as ultimately I discovered that this person was not as financially stable or as reliable as I wished. We parted ways after a year, during which I saved as much as I could and got a better paying job with more hours so I could afford a place on my own. I didn't have much but I was finally on my own - and with advice from my parents and a great support system, I figured out how to balance my budget, my time, and also the household duties in general. In short, my advice would be to make sure you choose somewhere you can afford or manage within your means and ensure that you vet any roommate possibilities to ensure you are covered if things do not go as you expect.
Don Shell
Director, Corporate Communications
25
Answers
Fenton, Michigan
Updated
Don’s Answer
This is such a great question, and such a tough transition for so many people (myself included). A few words of advice:
Live within your means! That means creating a budget and sticking to it, and avoiding the credit-card trap many students (and adults) fall into.
Choose your roommates wisely. Nothing can make living on your own more difficult than an incompatible roommate. Do you have similar interests and lifestyles? Remember, you'll be sharing not just living quarters with this person, but also bills, food and free time, too.
Make lists, and keep them in plain sight. Upcoming bills, grocery needs, cleaning tasks, etc. are all excellent things to keep on a kitchen whiteboard for you and your roommates to remember.
Meal prep is key. As a student living out of the dorms for the first time, one of the toughest adjustments is actually fending for yourself in the food dept. Learn to cook one thing well, and make a lot of it to eat throughout the week. This'll save you time and money, as you won't fall into the fast food trap, too.
Good luck!
Live within your means! That means creating a budget and sticking to it, and avoiding the credit-card trap many students (and adults) fall into.
Choose your roommates wisely. Nothing can make living on your own more difficult than an incompatible roommate. Do you have similar interests and lifestyles? Remember, you'll be sharing not just living quarters with this person, but also bills, food and free time, too.
Make lists, and keep them in plain sight. Upcoming bills, grocery needs, cleaning tasks, etc. are all excellent things to keep on a kitchen whiteboard for you and your roommates to remember.
Meal prep is key. As a student living out of the dorms for the first time, one of the toughest adjustments is actually fending for yourself in the food dept. Learn to cook one thing well, and make a lot of it to eat throughout the week. This'll save you time and money, as you won't fall into the fast food trap, too.
Good luck!
Caitlin McCann
18
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Caitlin’s Answer
I lived on campus for 3 years (until this year), so I have a few tips that I learned along the way.
1. Do laundry on a day/time that others are not. Sunday afternoon is not a good option. Typically like a Tuesday/Wednesday morning or night would be best. This prevents having to wait for washers to open, as well as people taking your clothes out of the dryer/washer right when they finish!
2. Take advantage of the meal plan. Even though it isn't the best, you are paying for it so take advantage. At least get soda/snacks there even if you don't like the food options.
3. Go to social events. If you stay in your dorm all the time, you will not meet people and it gets super lonely. You need to put yourself out there for whatever events feel comfortable.
4. Find spots on campus where you can go for some alone time. These might include emptier class buildings, nearby parks, study rooms in the library, or the recreation center. There are some days where you just need to be alone, and you can't really do that in a dorm.
1. Do laundry on a day/time that others are not. Sunday afternoon is not a good option. Typically like a Tuesday/Wednesday morning or night would be best. This prevents having to wait for washers to open, as well as people taking your clothes out of the dryer/washer right when they finish!
2. Take advantage of the meal plan. Even though it isn't the best, you are paying for it so take advantage. At least get soda/snacks there even if you don't like the food options.
3. Go to social events. If you stay in your dorm all the time, you will not meet people and it gets super lonely. You need to put yourself out there for whatever events feel comfortable.
4. Find spots on campus where you can go for some alone time. These might include emptier class buildings, nearby parks, study rooms in the library, or the recreation center. There are some days where you just need to be alone, and you can't really do that in a dorm.