10 Things to Take With You When Leaving Home for College

When it’s time to drive off to college, you know you’re about to start a new chapter in life. The thought of starting things afresh in a strange place with people you’ve never met can be overwhelming. But like they always say, your best years of life will probably be in college. You should have a lot to look forward to. To help you settle down a little faster, make sure you carry the following essential things.

1.      Hangers: Most college apartments do not provide this. Be sure to carry a few of them from home to save you the cost of buying new ones.

2.      Bedding: You may need to carry a duvet, some sets of bed-sheets and pillow cases. Before you buy any of these items, or carry the ones you have at home, make sure you confirm they will not be provided. Additional pillows and blankets will always come in handy though. Carrying your mattress cover is usually a good idea because you never know who was using the bed before you.

3.      Cleaning products: You need to be prepared to clean your own room at least once in a while. Most colleges have cleaners but they don’t get inside the rooms to clean up. You can carry a few cleaning products like your washing up liquid and a sponge just in case you’ll need them.

4.      Your bathroom essentials: These include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, hair straighteners, dryers, medicine and a first aid kit. You need to think of all the bathroom essentials you need to carry when leaving to college. Remember to carry your bath towels as well and a small laundry bag which will help you to remain organized and carry your laundry to the washroom.

5.      Your favorite books: If you love reading, go over your bookshelf and pick some books you can carry to college. You’ll probably have lots of time to do some reading especially on the first days of campus when everyone is settling in. 

6.      Kitchen essentials: Most colleges have shared kitchen spaces so you might want to bring your cutlery such as chopping board, grater, baking tray, tea towels, your own glasses and mugs.

7.      Diary: You’ll need to pen down your experience in campus so don’t leave your diary behind. You can even get a new one to start over this exciting chapter of your life. 

8.      Electronics: Don’t expect your college room to have as many plugs so carry an extension cord. Chargers for your phone and laptop, USBs and any other external hard drive you might have may also come in handy.

9.      Necessary documents: Don’t forget your passport, medical insurance card and any other documents you might need. If you have any confirmation letters from the school, make sure you carry them as well. Carry your driving license or any other kind of personal identification document you might need.

10.  Medicine: If you are on any kind of medication, be sure to carry enough doses to last you several days. Some painkillers and cold remedies will also come in handy in case you catch a headache or flu.

Posted by: College Park Apartments  http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Questions to Ask Before Booking a College Apartment

Students all over the country experience their fair share of accommodation nightmares when they attend college. Most students will settle for apartments that offer poor living conditions because there are limited options and most properties are in very high demand. To save yourself from the frustration of finding student accommodation, you need to start house hunting early enough. We’ve rounded up a few questions to ask prior to booking a college apartment for yourself or with a group of friends.

Any rules you should be aware of?

You need to know what the rules are before signing the contract. There are even apartments that do not allow access to certain areas in the building. House parties may not be allowed in the apartment. Failing to know the rules may land you in trouble so make sure you ask before signing up.

Are there any additional expenses?

When you live in a college apartment, you may have to pay an extra amount for other services such as laundry. Though this is not included in your rental fee, you may be charged at the end of each month. You need to find out from the landlord what other additional expenses you should budget for.

How fast are repairs handled?

What would happen if you have a repair issue that needs to be handled fast? Find out if the apartment has a reliable maintenance and repairs schedule. You can ask other students living in the same apartment to share their experiences when it comes to issues such as repairs. If the management takes too long to handle simple repairs and rarely performs the necessary maintenance work, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Are pets allowed?

Some college apartments do not allow pets. Some will charge an additional fee to tenants who have pets. The fee may vary depending on the pet you have. Make sure you ask beforehand to avoid any disappointments.

 Does the apartment have air conditioning?

Find out if the apartment is air conditioned and if the units are serviced on a regular basis to ensure they function effectively. You can ask residents of the apartment to share their opinion on this.

Is parking available?

If you’ll bring your own car, it’s good to find out if the apartment has parking available for residents and guests. Will you have to pay an extra fee for parking or security? Get these details as well.

How safe and convenient is the location?

It’s important to find out the crime statistics of an area before you rent out an apartment. You can do this by contacting the local police department for information on the area’s security. They are likely to recommend whether the place is safe for students.

Most importantly, take your time to read the lease before you sign. Get someone to help you understand the details and don’t be afraid to ask for clarifications. Do not allow the realtor or landlord to rush you into signing a rental agreement when you’re not ready. Always trust your instincts and choose an apartment that you like.

Posted By: College Park Apartments  http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Why You Should Live in an Apartment During College

College students have the general option of living in campus dorms or staying in off-campus accommodation while school is in session. There are a few lucky students who get to stay at home since their campus is quite close. The vast majority of students often go out of state for school bringing them to the all-too-important decision of choosing to live on or off campus. The following are some of advantages of staying in a college apartment that could help you make this decision.

Variety of options available

Depending on your budget and preference, there is such a wide variety of living arrangements for students outside campus. Campus dorms often have generic problems for living, roommates, flooded corridors, cafeterias and shared bathrooms. College apartments offer students different options for living including single private living units and shared apartments. If you are trying to cut on costs, you can find a couple of roommates and share a single apartment with separate rooms for everyone.

Freedom and privacy

Freedom, liberation and privacy are three of the most common reasons why students choose to live off campus. Especially students who have had a taste of the crowds and noisy campus dorms. Imagine getting stuck with a weird roommate for the entire semester. With off campus accommodation, you get to choose who to live with and set your own rules. You also get to enjoy a lot of privacy allowing you to study or relax without any interruption.

Learning responsibility

Going to college equips you with a lot of technical knowledge but there it teaches very little in the terms of life skills. Considering this is the last bit of your life that you can rely on your parents of guardians before you start fending for yourself, it would not hurt to get a head start on the life skills. You get to learn how to pay your rent and utility bills, budget spending expenses, learn cooking, cleaning and every other thing that a responsible adult does on their own.

Housing throughout the year

With campus dorms, you have to pack up and clear out when campus is out of session. If you have a vacation internship or a get a temporary job, you have to go through all the trouble of finding somewhere to live temporarily. With college apartments, you get to stay as long as you need, whether or not school is in session.

Develop a rental history

After living in your first apartment, you develop the skills of choosing the best places to live, understanding lease agreement details. This knowledge will be very important in future when you are out campus and looking for somewhere to live. A rental history can also help you get another apartment easier that someone without one.

Diversity

Living out of campus can expose you to a lot of diversity in the neighborhood. You can start interacting with working professionals who can be instrumental in guiding you towards your future career path. 

Posted By: College Park Apartments   http://collegeparkapartments.net/