As a returning sophomore, I was very excited about moving off campus into my first apartment. I knew I wanted to be out of the dorms this fall, so I spent many afternoons last semester walking up and down Charleston streets, asking different relators hundreds of questions each. Often about things I had never been concerned with before, like lead paint and trash service. But I managed to find my dream apartment, and as my four best friends and I moved in on a very hot August day, I knew living there would be perfect. But the honeymoon didn’t last, we soon realized we hadn’t completely prepared for everything having an apartment really means…
1. Having an Apartment means having to cook
Off-campus, you no longer have the convenience of having the dining hall basically in your basement, you are now solely in charge of feeding yourself. This means actually having to go to the grocery, store which is a lot more expensive than you’d think, and having to buy things you previously assumed would always be magically stocked. And you soon realize that Kraft Mac & Cheese every night is not a realistic option.
2. Living with friends has its ups and downs
Living together with a good friend can solidify friendship, but at times you will become fed up with one another. Unfortunately, sharing close quarters with your best friends isn’t like one never-ending slumber party. Having to share many responsibilities, such as sending the rent in on time or taking out the trash, can lead to arguments and frustration if someone in the house isn’t pulling their weight. But it’s important to learn how to deal with these conflicts quickly, so that living together does bring you and your friends closer and doesn’t led to slammed doors and resentment.
3. There are a lot of gross, scary, or difficult things you have to man up and deal with
The toilet overflows, there are mice in the garbage, the Ikea bookshelf with 1, 000 steps won’t put itself together. These are all things I didn’t think about when I pictured my dream-off-campus- life, but they do happen. With Dad more than a hallway away, all these problems are yours alone to deal with. The good thing about this is you learn fast, and before you know it you will one toilet-fixing, bookshelf building machine.
4. Budgeting is something you actually have to do
Living off-campus means a lot of expenses, some you may plan for and some you may not. So as fun as the 30% off sale sounds, you really have to cut down your frivolous spending. When you have to pay bills, being irresponsible with money could leave you without water for a month. This really teaches you the value of the dollar, and the value of having a job.
Photos by Ashley Curtis
Instagram: ashweecurtis