Lily Huynh/The Cougar
Hi! Welcome to another issue of April’s Angle. I’m April, a political science and psychology junior. In this column, I share my thoughts and experiences on everything from fashion and beauty to college life and beyond. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to reach out! I’m here to help.
There is a very specific kind of false confidence that comes with signing your first apartment lease. You start imagining your life almost immediately and picturing everything there is to buy, from the couch to the bowls to the pillows.
It is incredibly easy to get overwhelmed with the pending purchases and the realization that you are starting from scratch.
While dorm living can be one of the best college experiences, it doesn’t exactly prepare you for apartment living. One minute your biggest domestic concern is whether your shared bathroom will be occupied when you need it and the next you’re in an apartment wondering why your electricity bill is so high and how you ran out of groceries so fast.
Three months ago, when I moved into my first apartment, this was a milestone that I was beyond excited for. I planned and outlined every detail prior to signing my lease to ensure my move in process would be as smooth as possible since I would be doing it alone. This in my opinion, is the best thing to do before making this transition.
As a type A girl, planning is how I function, but it is also how I stay prepared and anticipate potential issues. My favorite passive way to plan is by making a Pinterest board; the first step to having your ideas come to life is by simply having ideas and Pinterest does an amazing job of putting all ideas in one place.
Before moving into your new apartment, try to have your aesthetic picked out, colors you’d like to focus on and potential furniture designs. This will help you visualize your new space and give you a head start.
Waiting to purchase household items is the last thing you should do: moving into a new place is expensive. It is very easy to underestimate the amount of items that you need to purchase. Making little purchases over the course of a few months saved me from spending a lump sum when I moved in.
Some important things to have prior to your move in date are kitchen items like scissors, cutlery and bowls; imagine spending all day moving in and ordering food just to discover you have no spoons and have to eat with your hands. Don’t neglect your bedding: a brand new set can be expensive, so keep that in mind.
As someone that prioritizes sleep health over everything, I made sure to order my bed frame and mattress to be delivered to my apartment before I even moved in. Check with your leasing office to make sure this is allowed and take advantage of that resource!
Upon moving in make sure you check your new space! This is something that should be done in a dorm but can’t be missed in an apartment. Security deposits are very real and it is your duty to ensure that you’re not being charged for an error a past tenant made.
A full walkthrough of the space is a must: take note of anything that needs to be repaired and communicate to your leasing office.
Apartment living is an incredible experience. You will probably make mistakes, forget things at the grocery store and build furniture incorrectly, but the experience is one you should cherish and be grateful for because it is the beginning of building a life for yourself.
Adulthood comes at you fast. One day you’ll look around your apartment and realize you’re no longer pretending to be an adult – you’re actually doing it.
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