There comes a point in a college freshman's life when he or she comes to the realization that living one foot away from another person, sleeping in a bunk bed and having the most privacy on the walk to class simply will no longer suffice as "home." Instead, this freshman will chose to pursue an apartment: the prospect of having a functioning kitchen, a real sized bed and a room with a lock calls their name, but little did they know finding an apartment is a lot harder than it looks. Here's 6 thoughts every college student has while apartment hunting.
1. What is going on?
With the constant mention of unfamiliar words such as: utilities, caps, leasing agreements, contracts, sub-leasing, furnished, unfurnished, you are likely to experience a surge of emotions questioning your credibility towards apartment hunting.
2. Fake it 'till you make it, right?
There's an aura of adulthood surrounding the concept of searching for an apartment that most college students simply don't possess. While touring various apartment options and chattering over the paint shade of the wall, you might even suspect the leasing agent see's right through your failed attempt at being an adult. Do not fret, walk into every leasing office with a blank folder or notebook to promote professionalism, ask questions, and even throw in a "ooh" or an "ah" for dramatic effect.
3. MOM?
When your parents live three hours away and are likely to be the ones paying for said apartment, you become a relayer of information, scrambling from parent to leasing agent. After sending what seems like thousands of pictures of model kitchens, living rooms, and kitchens and taking millions of phone calls, your parents will make the trek to your college town only to decide they do not like the apartment you have chosen and instead urge you to pursue another complex, thus restarting your journey completely.
4. I have no friends
So, let's say you've established an apartment you like, with a location suited for your needs, and seemingly great amenities. Everything seems done right? Well, unless you're willing to risk living with random people (as you did with your freshman dorm), you'll want to live will friends. First, you have to find friends who you would be willing to live in such proximity with. This is a very hard task. Once having scrambled a few friends and friends-of-friends together, you'll be forced to play a literal game of give and take over everything you thought you wanted in an apartment.
5. Tears of joy
When the time comes and you've finally found the perfect apartment: one that appeases yourself, your parents, your wallet and your roommates, you sign. Signing a leasing agreement is comparable to what I imagine getting married to your soulmate feels like. There's only one problem: you're stuck in your dorm for another 6 months.
