How to Prepare for Living at College
Author: S. Michael Windsor
How to Prepare for Living at College
Each year, for parents across the country, it is a sad day as their children are swept off and away to college. The child turns to walk away…a little grin appears on their face. They are about to become independent! This is a wonderful time for many of us, but the problem is actually LIVING on your own. Many students entertain the idea of living alone, but in many cases, do not prepare and it can become quite difficult at first. That is, if you don’t feel like eating fast food every single night and more.
Being on your own means you are in charge of your expenses, job, homework, school deadlines and more. After time, it becomes much easier…and quite enjoyable!
As far as food, try to keep a smaller fridge and freezer in your room to keep frozen items and such just for the week as you satisfy those late night cravings. Also, a microwave would be a great idea.
Make sure there is laundry detergent and other laundry tools as the laundry pile really piles high very quickly when mom is not around. That is one of the first major things new independents will notice.
Be sure to have all of your credit card information changed to the proper address. You don’t need any of those outlaw bills that just knock out your credit. Be sure you are on it as these are the years that really start your credit rating days. And without decent credit your life after college may not be so easy as it may seem NOW.
Remember to protect yourself from thieves in your dorm. Keep all your identifying information and credit cards and such in a hidden place while keeping your door locked at all times. I know this may seem a bit paranoid, but many students find items disappearing as they keep their doors open often and/or unlocked. You may not notice, but the one in your dorm a few doors down who would like to have some of you stuff certainly does.
Staying healthy in college is very important as well. If a person comes down with a flu that keeps them bedridden for weeks, then there may be a bit of difficulty in the lines of passing that chemistry class and labs that semester. Take advantage of your health center if you feel ill.
Be sure to bring plenty of warm clothes in case it gets cold and you have to walk through the freezing cold I n the morning for that 8am class. Trudging through the cold in your lightweight shirt and a pair of slacks just isn’t going to keep your body warm enough for long.
Before heading off to college, think about your living situation and what sort of decorative items you would like to have, as well as any roommate questions you may have. Getting along with your roommate can be an essential to surviving that first year. You will both be in close quarters so make sure you have some sort of a setup for the dorm ready. Follow these tips and more at our website and you will find yourself having a much more enjoyable experience than some of the others in college and your dorm who didn’t even think about what to do once they got there.
About the Author:
S. Michael Windsor is currently publisher and a writer for The Back-To-School Network. The BSN Online back to school and college living Guide is a premier back-to-school information platform that provides individuals with a quality in-depth look at college life and the associated products, services and information available today. Visit us today and find out more about this topic at http://www.BackToSchoolNetwork.com and subscribe to our Free Member services.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/how-to-prepare-for-living-at-college-361878.html
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Better Sleep in your Apartment
Author: The Apartment Dude
Getting good sleep may be one of the most important factors on happiness, health, and hanging on to those youthful good looks that you have.
Living in an apartment gives you an opportunity to get better sleep than any other living situation. It’s warmer than a cardboard box. It’s your own place, so Mom doesn’t come screaming about breakfast when you are trying to sleep. Most importantly, you don’t have to lose sleep about the money that you are spending on repairs and maintenance to a home you own…all you have to do is call the office.
It’s little known, but I am actually an expert on sleep. There are a few things out there that can help you sleep more soundly at night in your apartment.
Turn down the fan and sleep on your side- Sometimes trouble sleeping can be applied to the actual way you are sleeping. Many times, if you sleep on your back, your mouth has a tendency to hang open when you are asleep. This in-turn causes wake ups with a dry sore throat and sadly…loud snoring that can wake you or your significant other as you breath from your mouth. Try intentionally laying on your side or stomach as you fall asleep. You could even scotch tape your mouth shut if you wanted. Ha! Really though, try switching it up and see if it makes a difference or turn down your fan when you are down for the count. A fan on blast will certainly circulate the air, but it can also stir up dry air and late night cedar fever…..and more SNORING…..
Rest Your Mind- Ever been laying in bed and can’t stop thinking about something that has you tossing and turning for hours? Of course you have. You should practice what is called “thought stopping.” As the thought creeps into your head, tell yourself to “STOP.” If it creeps back, do it again. The word Stop! forces an immediate shifting of our attention, which will lead us away from preoccupying thoughts. Worrying about having to be asleep will only cause anxiety and keep you awake. Try and relax your mind…sleep will soon follow.
Sleep Items- From aromatherapy aides like a Lavender Pillow Mist to relaxing sounds or music cd’s to a warming blanket, there are a number of items available that can help you get a few more zzzz’s. The important thing is to try a few and see what works.
My friend’s Granny used to always have a hot toddy before sleep. His Grandpa had a shot of whiskey. Neither one of them ever had sleeping problems. I would hate to know the long lasting effect it had on their livers though, so if you use that therapy, make sure it’s a last resort.
Get some rest!
For more info on having fun in your apartment check out: ApartmentHomeLiving.Com
About the Author:
As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff’s entertaining blogs/stories, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others. Don’t forget to go and set up your own MyPlace page to really get the full Apartmentite experience!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/better-sleep-in-your-apartment-296623.html
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How to Find an Apartment That Matches your Taste
Author: The Apartment Dude
I am excited to try out one of those new culinary pseudo-classes that let you show up and prepare your own meals that are supposed to last you for about a month.
The only reason I have hesitated is I’m a bit of a picky eater. I don’t care for vegetables, and I also don’t care for seafood (an unpopular decision in this era of sushi, so I tell people I’m allergic).
Another words, I don’t want to show up expecting chicken and find out that half the menu is seafood. So, in essence, I am chicken to show up. Stop with the booing…that’s funny.
Well, apartment shopping is the exact same thing for me. I’m a bit chicken. I need to find an affordable place, but I want to make sure I end up in an apartment that I really like. I want it to match my tastes, my life. Basically, I want it to be perfect.
Not much in life is perfect, so how can I get close?
Tip 1: Think through the specifics
Think through your location: location to family, friends, work and nightlife. Who do I need to live by? Who do I see weekly? Can I stand to commute 40 minutes if it means I save $75 a month? Do I need to live downtown or will the suburbs suffice? Do I go out three times a week, or twice a month?
Think through your budget: financial planners say only 30% of your income should be spent on your housing costs. Not a big problem if you make $6,000 a month. A little bit more of a problem when you make $1,600 a month. What’s your realistic, total budget? And even though I may want a one-bedroom with a den, can I only afford an efficiency?
Think through your pet situation: I have a dog. He’s a miniature poodle. Would I be willing to part with Ziggy? Never. Can I afford to shell out $500 for a pet deposit. Never. Could I afford $250 if I saved up beforehand? Possibly. Think through if you plan on getting that bulldog you’ve always wanted. First, does the community you want to live in even accept pets? If so, how much will the deposit cost? You may need to save up, or bow out.
Tip 2: Research your options
Now it’s time to compare. I like this catalog for a quick reference, but I also like to go online to look at virtual tours and compare amenities. At apartmenthomeliving.com, I can fill out a personality profile that matches me to the apartments that are right. It even goes a step further to find out what else I like. Do I want a pool? Do I work out? You betcha. There’s a match out there and I want to see all the choices.
Tip 3: Visit your top choices and enlist the help of friends
Seeing is believing. I know that the product itself is terribly important to me. I have to visit to know it feels good to me when I drive in. I want lush landscaping. I want good lighting in the living room, and a pool with a nightlife around it. I want a clean apartment. I can only find out these details by visiting.
While I’m visiting, do I like my leasing professional? Does she seem knowledgeable? Friendly? Does she answer my questions about maintenance to where I feel comfortable? Do I trust this person? Because this is who I’m going to get on the phone when something goes wrong in my apartment.
And two pairs of eyes are better than one! Do my friends agree this is a cool place to live? Will they visit me here to hang out? Do they agree with what I think?
Make your decision
Finally, decide what’s the best match for you. I knew when I picked Ziggy it was love. I know when I pick my next apartment it will at least be lust! And that can last at least a year. Happy hunting!
Visit Apartment Home Living for more tips on getting the most out of your apartment living experience.
About the Author:
As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff’s entertaining blogs/stories, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-find-an-apartment-that-matches-your-taste-245756.html
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7 Ways to Evaluate Apartments Over the Phone
Author: The Apartment Dude
You’ve looked up the information on thousands of apartments in catalogs and online. You’ve located the pictures, floor plans, maps, amenities, and details of the places you’re interested in. You’ve compiled the data for 10 communities to finally narrow the field and now comes…The phone call.
The dreaded phone call to find out about specific rental rates and to address all of those “call for specials” that you’ve gathered.
The key to success is in the phone call. The amateur apartment shopper begins the call cold, unprepared, fidgety, and nervous. “Do you have a one bedroom?” or “How much is your two-bedroom?” Apartment Home Living is here to help you be successful at finding the right apartment home by knowing what to ask.
Question 1: What size and when?
Begin the questioning any way you like, but your most important question is do they have the apartment you’re interested in available at your target move-in date.
It’s a common misconception that apartments are simply sitting empty, waiting on you to show up to lease them. This is frequently untrue. To work out for you, the community must have the apartment you want in the timeframe you need to move. If it isn’t available, unless you have some move-in date flexibility, you should go on to your next call.
Question 2: Do they take Fluffy?
If you have a pet, this question is as serious as a parent asking if this community will take their child. (By the way, all apartment communities will ALWAYS take actual children. Those little balls of energy are protected under the Fair Housing Act).
Unfortunately though, Fluffy isn’t protected under any laws and it’s completely up to the community if they’ll accept your dog, cat, sugar glider, or monkey. They set the rules regarding pets.
They also set the price to pay for the opportunity to keep your child-pet. Don’t choke if it’s over $300 per pet plus monthly pet rent. That can be a starting point for some properties. So be sure to check and see if you’ll be bringing Spot, then see if someone’s going to have to “spot” you some cash to pay the fees.
Question 3: What’s the #1 reason people love to live here?
This is the best and most straight forward way to find out what makes a community special. Is it the walking trail behind the property? The social atmosphere? The famous pork roast every July?
This question can be a key in setting one apartment community apart from another. The answer may be something that really peaks your interest or may unlock hidden potential in a place you wouldn’t be able to see from a picture or driving-by.
Question 4: How much?
Initially, it’s human nature to stop listening if we hear the price is remotely out of our budget. And yet, seeing an awesome apartment in person may actually sway us that it’s worth the extra cost.
Think about this: Have you bought a car that was more than you set out to spend? Have you paid more for that purse you just had to have (but didn’t know you had to have it until you saw it)? Gone on a vacation where you blew your budget?
Was it worth it? Nine times out of 10…Absolutely. So give cost an open mind before you say no to a place for breaking the bank. You might find it’s perfect in the end and well worth it.
Question 5: Do I qualify?
Asking the price question and overshooting your budget goals won’t matter if you don’t qualify for the apartment anyway.
What is the general qualifying criteria? Making about 3x the rent, having a clean criminal record (no felonies or crimes against persons), and no prior evictions.
What do you do if you don’t meet their criteria? You could keep looking for a place with less strict qualification restrictions or take the gamble of losing your application fee and/or deposit just to see if you qualify anyway.
Question 6: Do you have any specials?
Specials can change from day-to-day, so make sure to ask this question close to last. Remember to keep in mind that some of the best communities don’t have the best specials because they don’t need them. They’re special just for being so awesome.
Question 7: Can I set an appointment to come in?
Don’t you still need to visit to make the final judgement call? Yes you do.
At the end of all the other questions, if you’re still interested, ask to set an appointment to come in and take a tour. Seeing your possible new digs in person more than likely will be the best way to make a decision.
Now you have a little guide of the right questions to ask a leasing professional over the phone, so what are you waiting for? Hop on Apartment Home Living , find a some places in your area, and get on that phone!
About the Author:
As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff’s entertaining blogs/stories, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others. Don’t forget to go and set up your own MyPlace page to really get the full Apartmentite experience!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/7-ways-to-evaluate-apartments-over-the-phone-241014.html
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