This is the fourth week of school and the fifth week of living in my studio apartment. Yes, that’s right, just me in a room (you could say I jumped the gun freshman year… but that’s a story for another time). Anyways, living alone has its pros and cons, but more than anything, it is lonely. I signed my lease a year ago without considering how isolated I would feel. It’s quite a change from living in Donlon last year, where I was always surrounded by people whether I liked it or not. I consider myself very independent, but not being able to walk 10 steps and be at my best friends’ quad has taken some getting used to.
Despite how discouraging the FOMO is sometimes, I haven’t taken the time to consider the benefits of being on my own since coming back to school. While I do have to put in a little extra effort on the friend side, living alone is really helping me out with the whole ~adulting~ thing. In case you are considering signing for a studio or one-bedroom next year, here are some things to consider:
Budgeting is helpful
Part of living on your own means paying for things on your own. Rent, electric bills, groceries, and parking – it’s a lot to handle alone, and it can be hard to stay on track. Earlier this summer, I sat down with my mom (because we all know moms are undoubtedly the best at these things) and wrote up a budget that I would try to follow. She helped me determine reasonable amounts to spend from week to week, given how much I had saved up. This is IMMENSELY useful, because actually following it eliminates the stress of, you know, spending all your money.
You learn how to CLEAN like for real
You can vacuum? Oh, that’s cool. Having your own place means you’re responsible for cleaning up your own mess. This, along with budgeting, is probably one of the more useful skills when it comes to being self-sufficient. Knowing which cleaning products are needed for different things (toilets, showers, floors, etc.) and how to use them is something I never had a reason to learn until a few weeks ago. Now, I’m stocked: Windex, Soft Scrub, AND Mr. Clean? Go off.
I have always been a pretty neat person (maybe a little too neat), but in general, I think having to clean up after yourself makes you more cognizant of making messes in the moment. You might learn to take your shoes off at the door so you don’t track dirt in, just like your mom always told you. If you don’t wash your dishes, by the time the end of the week comes you have a heaping pile of plates and glasses that might take you half an hour to clean. After facing this a few times, you will probably realize that the task is easier and less daunting if you just do a little each day. Same with all the other cleaning you will have: if you do a little here and there, it’s not as bad as doing it all at once.
Decorations! Are! Fun!
Let your inner interior designer come out – you can make this place your own! It’s more than just one half of an already too small dorm room – it’s your bed and your walls, PLUS a bathroom, kitchen and potentially a living area. I love having so much space where I can add a personal touch, without anyone else’s input or stuff in my way. In my studio, I hung pictures all around my bedroom and living area, as well as in my kitchen and on the fridge. I also found these unique air plant holders on Amazon, which add a colorful 3-D element to the walls. My favorite color is blue, so my rugs, bedding, and other decor all pair well together. And don’t forget the fairy lights to create the ultimate ambiance! Adding decorations of all kinds definitely helps the apartment feel homier.
Making your own food is honestly enjoyable and rewarding
School is busy, work is hard, but giving myself the time to cook a semi-decent dinner every night has been a treat. I’ve always liked to cook, so I personally enjoy trying out simple recipes and making enough at the beginning of the week so that it lasts for a few days. Personally, I like to make my own food because there are things I enjoy that my family refuses to eat; this way, they don’t have to bear the smell of cooked broccoli! PLUS, a huge bonus of not having roommates is that you don’t have to worry about anyone else stealing your food – it’s all yours, baby!
Now, I know cooking isn’t everyone’s thing, but making something from scratch when you find the time can be fun and satisfying, both during and after. You get that “I made this myself” feeling, which truly makes it that much more exciting to eat. And if you burn something or set off the smoke detector, no worries – now you know for next time. Don’t forget to take a picture of your creation!
No roommates means living to your own stipulations
To me, this is the best part. The concept of living in a dorm with someone who you barely know is already tricky, but getting used to someone else’s habits and how they choose to live can sometimes be weird and uncomfortable. When living by yourself, you already know how you live! You’re OK with your own messiness or tidiness, and you only have to worry about your own schedule. Plus, you don’t have to wake up to your roommate’s “Duck” alarm in the mornings, or worry about walking in on something you don’t want to see…
You have the freedom to blast your music or Netflix at full volume, dance all throughout the apartment, or walk around naked – you do you! No compromises, no one is holding you back.
While I do miss having easy access to hang out with people, most of my day is spent on campus where that is not a problem. Sometimes, it’s nice to have a break from people, spend time in your own head, and have the opportunity to be productive (key since we’re here to study, after all). Living alone is a significant growing experience, you learn to survive all on your own, so if you have the chance, go for it!
