As someone who personally spent way too much time in college, I can totally sympathize with those entering into college for the first time. In 2013 there were around 6,837,605 students enrolled in four year college programs and 6,184,229 students enrolled in public two year colleges in the United States. There are some 600 public four year institutions around the country that enroll 14,473,884 students in undergraduate programs. College can be fun or stressful depending on how well you plan for it and how much self-discipline you have. Earning your degree is tough, hopefully these pointers on how to find apartments for college students can help.
Safety Tips
If you live on campus you’ll have access to all of the events, facilities, and experiences that define college as the best years of some people’s lives. Off campus apartments for college students come with an entirely different set of responsibilities, including signing the lease. Carefully read any leasing documentation and understand what damages you will be held accountable for. Finding an apartment free from water and mold damage is essential, as these issues can turn your college experience into a miserable one. Finally any damages must be accounted for prior to signing the lease and any appliances ought to be checked to ensure that you will not be held accountable for these damages; don’t fall prey to these fees.
Dealing With Strangers
One of the most exciting or terrifying parts of college is having a roommate. Having a roommate can be great: you’ll have a friend that is always around, you’ll have half the chores, and you’ll only pay for half of the rent. This is ideal however: the question here is how do you ensure that your roommate is helpful and not psychotic? The year 2012 saw that 54% of students in dorms were female and 46% were male. Either way, it is advised that you send an email to your prospective roommate, as this helps to break the icen
How to Survive
Perfecting the art of searching for apartments for college students is only the beginning of your college experience. You’ll be subjected to all-nighters, the ups (and downs) of social drinking, and a very strict ramen noodle diet to save money. As a rule of thumb: if you have “just” enough money to cover rent, you don’t in reality. Always plan for extra costs including books, food, utilities, gas, and “surprise” tuition fees. One final point of advice is to be urgent as campus housing tends to fill up quickly after enrollment opens — have a back up plan and you too can survive the perils of college.