This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCNJ chapter.
Finally, you’re upgrading from an on-campus dorm to your own room in an off-campus house. You now have to worry about bringing more than just a comforter, clothes and a few posters to school. Here’s a few tips on how to prep for your first big move:
- Check to see if the previous house renters are selling any of their furniture. It will make your life much easier if you have fewer couches, tables and beds to carry into your house.
- Be sure that everyone is happy with the room they have chosen in the house. Sometimes you will have to make compromises. If one bedroom is smaller than the others offer that housemate the option to pay a little less in rent per month.
- Make a list of the most important pieces of furniture you will need to get for the house and divide who will bring what. Garage and estate sales are the perfect place to find usable and comfortable furniture.
- Reach out to family members and find out whether or not they were planning on selling or getting rid of any pieces that you could use for your house. Your cousin’s old dresser could fit perfectly in your new room!
- Be creative! You will want to personalize your new college house and your room. Now you have the freedom to hang more than just a few posters, picture frames and Christmas lights. This coffee table was made out of a chocolate box!
- Set up a house chore list. Living off campus means maintaining and cleaning more than just your dorm rom and bathroom. To avoid a messy house and frustrated housemates, create a schedule of who will do what chore on which days.
It may seem a little overwhelming at first, but before you know it, you and your friends will be all settled in to your college home!