5 answers
Lauren
Student
Covington, Washington
2
Questions
Updated
1607 views
How difficult is it to live on your own for the first time?
I will be moving out to go to school two hours away from my parents. I have never had to really worry about expenses before. Sure I had my credit card, union dues, and other things that were minimal in cost. The thought of being responsible for everything is stressing my out.
#stressed #anxious #excited #newexperiences #personal-development #college
5 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1060
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Attending college away from home can sometimes be a very daunting experience, especially for people who are going to be away from home for an extended period of time. Attending college away definitely requires balancing your newfound independence with common sense values, to assist you in surviving the experience.
I always recommend prioritizing exploring your campus environment, creating a familiar living space, and campus activities like joining clubs to meet people, while also setting healthy communication boundaries with family to manage your homesickness. Transition do take time so attempt to be patient with the transition, manage your resources and money, and keep an open mindset to new experiences.
Here are some of the things that I recommend:
Explore Early: Not only go on a campus tour (which can be arranged online), but also walk around campus and your new college town to find study spots, coffee shops, and regional parks.
Get Involved: Join student life organizations like campus clubs and organizations to find friends with shared interests.
Don't Go Home Too Soon: Avoid returning home every weekend; it can hinder your ability to build lasting connections.
Be Open-Minded: Embrace new perspectives, other countries and cultures, and people, and consider taking classes outside your major (utilize your electives part of your college degree).
Create a safe and comfortable space: Decorate your dorm with pictures, posters, and familiar items to make it a comforting refuge.
Master Life Skills: Practice doing your own laundry, cleaning, cooking, and doing minor repairs.
Respect Your Roommates: Set clear expectations early regarding cleaning, visitors, and noise.
Manage Homesickness: It is normal to miss being at home, but avoid over-communicating with relatives and others at home. Schedule regular, but not daily, check-ins.
Be Patient: Transitioning into new environments takes time, so be patient with your adjustment.
Stay Healthy (take care of yourself): Find the campus health services, physical education, intramural and activity centers, and find a local doctor if necessary (in case of an emergency).
Budget Your Resources and Money Wisely: Create a budget and understand how to manage your own bank account and financial resources.
Get Organized: Keep important documents (identification, like drivers license, insurance cards, social security number) secure and accessible.
Use Resources: Don't hesitate to use campus support groups, tutoring centers, libraries, or counseling for academic anxiety or stress.
I always recommend prioritizing exploring your campus environment, creating a familiar living space, and campus activities like joining clubs to meet people, while also setting healthy communication boundaries with family to manage your homesickness. Transition do take time so attempt to be patient with the transition, manage your resources and money, and keep an open mindset to new experiences.
Here are some of the things that I recommend:
Explore Early: Not only go on a campus tour (which can be arranged online), but also walk around campus and your new college town to find study spots, coffee shops, and regional parks.
Get Involved: Join student life organizations like campus clubs and organizations to find friends with shared interests.
Don't Go Home Too Soon: Avoid returning home every weekend; it can hinder your ability to build lasting connections.
Be Open-Minded: Embrace new perspectives, other countries and cultures, and people, and consider taking classes outside your major (utilize your electives part of your college degree).
Create a safe and comfortable space: Decorate your dorm with pictures, posters, and familiar items to make it a comforting refuge.
Master Life Skills: Practice doing your own laundry, cleaning, cooking, and doing minor repairs.
Respect Your Roommates: Set clear expectations early regarding cleaning, visitors, and noise.
Manage Homesickness: It is normal to miss being at home, but avoid over-communicating with relatives and others at home. Schedule regular, but not daily, check-ins.
Be Patient: Transitioning into new environments takes time, so be patient with your adjustment.
Stay Healthy (take care of yourself): Find the campus health services, physical education, intramural and activity centers, and find a local doctor if necessary (in case of an emergency).
Budget Your Resources and Money Wisely: Create a budget and understand how to manage your own bank account and financial resources.
Get Organized: Keep important documents (identification, like drivers license, insurance cards, social security number) secure and accessible.
Use Resources: Don't hesitate to use campus support groups, tutoring centers, libraries, or counseling for academic anxiety or stress.
Fred N. Rubel, M.S., QEP
Manager, Special Projects and Principal at Environmental Consulting, Inc.
10
Answers
Hillsdale, New Jersey
Updated
Fred N.’s Answer
Dear Lauren,
Hi. The key to not getting stressed out is recognizing what you have control over, and what you do not.
Focus on what you CAN control. Do NOT worry much about what you cannot control. Worrying about what you cannot control clearly wastes energy - - and we need our energy to get done that we have control over.
Prioritize what you have to do, and target dates and/or times of when you will do each. Write out somewhat short (not overwhelmingly long) lists of what needs to be done will help relieve some stress since it will be on paper and less will be rattling around in your head. Anticipate that you won't get everything done when we would like to. Few of us can do that. Consider it a game to juggle as many things as we can, realizing that sometimes we will miss a ball. No on is perfect, and certainly not all the time!
Making mistakes is part of learning. Living on your own does not mean you have to be out of touch. Family and friends are a support net. You can do this (many others have).
Regards,
Fred Rubel
Hi. The key to not getting stressed out is recognizing what you have control over, and what you do not.
Focus on what you CAN control. Do NOT worry much about what you cannot control. Worrying about what you cannot control clearly wastes energy - - and we need our energy to get done that we have control over.
Prioritize what you have to do, and target dates and/or times of when you will do each. Write out somewhat short (not overwhelmingly long) lists of what needs to be done will help relieve some stress since it will be on paper and less will be rattling around in your head. Anticipate that you won't get everything done when we would like to. Few of us can do that. Consider it a game to juggle as many things as we can, realizing that sometimes we will miss a ball. No on is perfect, and certainly not all the time!
Making mistakes is part of learning. Living on your own does not mean you have to be out of touch. Family and friends are a support net. You can do this (many others have).
Regards,
Fred Rubel
Kate Lev
Financial center manager
117
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Kate’s Answer
Hi Lauren, living on your own could be stressful but it’s like starting anything new in your life- school, friends, new job is stressful -what worries the most is making sure you budget your finances and you are responsible about your spending .
Making sure that you have at least 3 months worst of saving for your rent.
calculate all your necessary bills-phone, electricity, transportation, food, school books.
Always try to avoid taking food out- you will end up saving a lot off money monthly.
Use credit wisely- don’t over spend. Always ask yourself the questions- is this a necessity or I just want to buy it.
Always think- what if-what if -do I ave sufficient funds to survive for at least 3 months.
Try not to go out and spend money- every out is a tremendous spending
Open a saving account and start saving even on bi weekly basis at least 10%- or the minimum you can-it will add up and make a difference for you and you could spend it on something that you really want or on a vacation.’
Money spending -loves good budget-seeks applications that show you your monthly spending-and you can see where your money goes.
Check out our Better Money habits from Bank of America
Good luck on the new journey!
Making sure that you have at least 3 months worst of saving for your rent.
calculate all your necessary bills-phone, electricity, transportation, food, school books.
Always try to avoid taking food out- you will end up saving a lot off money monthly.
Use credit wisely- don’t over spend. Always ask yourself the questions- is this a necessity or I just want to buy it.
Always think- what if-what if -do I ave sufficient funds to survive for at least 3 months.
Try not to go out and spend money- every out is a tremendous spending
Open a saving account and start saving even on bi weekly basis at least 10%- or the minimum you can-it will add up and make a difference for you and you could spend it on something that you really want or on a vacation.’
Money spending -loves good budget-seeks applications that show you your monthly spending-and you can see where your money goes.
Check out our Better Money habits from Bank of America
Good luck on the new journey!
Ginamarie Creek
Business Development Manager
5
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Ginamarie’s Answer
Hello,
My best advice is to figure out what level of expenses you are comfortable maintaining for an extended period of time. Put together an Excel sheet of all of the things you will spend money on monthly, also budgeting an extra hundred for "fun" things, and for "unforeseen expenses" as well.
From a mindset perspective, I would suggest you pivot your view from "being responsible" as a negative thing, to a positive- "taking charge or taking control of all aspects of your life" which just means that you are entering the next phase of life! Becoming a more self-sufficient person who doesn't have to rely on anyone else.
Hope that helps.
My best advice is to figure out what level of expenses you are comfortable maintaining for an extended period of time. Put together an Excel sheet of all of the things you will spend money on monthly, also budgeting an extra hundred for "fun" things, and for "unforeseen expenses" as well.
From a mindset perspective, I would suggest you pivot your view from "being responsible" as a negative thing, to a positive- "taking charge or taking control of all aspects of your life" which just means that you are entering the next phase of life! Becoming a more self-sufficient person who doesn't have to rely on anyone else.
Hope that helps.
Elizabeth Gravina Wetherall
Operational support to investment managers
33
Answers
Islip, New York
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Lauren -
What an exciting time for you! Don't stress, have fun.
One suggestion is to list out items that are making you feel stressed. Then tackle them one a time to ease that feeling.
For example, perhaps these are some of items that are currently raising your concern
1. cooking/shopping for yourself - start now. Don't wait until the move. Perhaps you can take charge of a family meal one night a week.
2. laundry - learn to do it now. Why wait?
The best way for me to handle stress is to name it. Jot down the items or sources of the stress, and slowly address them. Hopefully getting it out of paper alone will ease your mind.
Best of luck.
What an exciting time for you! Don't stress, have fun.
One suggestion is to list out items that are making you feel stressed. Then tackle them one a time to ease that feeling.
For example, perhaps these are some of items that are currently raising your concern
1. cooking/shopping for yourself - start now. Don't wait until the move. Perhaps you can take charge of a family meal one night a week.
2. laundry - learn to do it now. Why wait?
The best way for me to handle stress is to name it. Jot down the items or sources of the stress, and slowly address them. Hopefully getting it out of paper alone will ease your mind.
Best of luck.
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