Master the basic life skills
Whereas at home you may have only had to clean your own room, you are now suddenly (partly) responsible for the entire household and cooking decent meals. And that squeaky door, leaky faucet, and clogged shower drain? Unfortunately, they won't fix themselves (and believe me: they’ll start to annoy you real quick)... Don't panic! With the following tips, you’ll pick up the basic life skills in no time.
Housework
Cleaning a toilet or patching a tire: it sounds pretty simple, but if you've never done it before, you may have no idea where to start. So, ask your parents if they can show you how they clean or fix certain things, and try it yourself, before you move out. The more you learn now, the easier it will be to do it yourself later.
Don't worry if you don't know everything right away. A lot of it is just a matter of practice. And if you're not sure which laundry can be washed together or how to unclog a toilet: Google is your best friend ;). Don't be afraid to ask your (older) housemates for help either: they also had to figure out how your washing machine or microwave works at some point, and they'll be happy to explain it to you.
If you're moving into a student house, there will probably be a cleaning schedule you can join. Even if you live alone, a cleaning schedule can be useful for keeping track of what you need to do. Make it easy on yourself and schedule a fixed cleaning time each week, so you don't have to worry about it for the rest of the week. And here's a golden tip: do your dishes right away. Quickly rinsing a plate and glass is a small effort and saves you a pile of dishes (and irritated housemates) at the end of the week.
Cooking
Unfortunately, you can't live on instant noodles and frozen pizzas for the rest of your student life. So, ask your parents for your favourite recipes and cook along with them a few times before you move out. You’ll also find endless step-by-step videos and recipes on Google, YouTube and even TikTok. And then: practice, practice, practice. Don't start with Jamie Oliver lasagnas right away, but try a simple pasta, wraps, or soup first. Try cooking with a housemate or friend too: you can learn from each other, try out new recipes, and get to know each other better!
Get on top of your finances
Your finances: perhaps not the most interesting part of your new student life, but it’s seriously important. Suddenly, you have to pay your own rent, groceries, insurance, and subscriptions. On the other hand, you might have a part-time job, receive healthcare or rent allowance, student finance, or perhaps financial support from family. Make a clear overview of your expenses, your income, and how much you want to save. That way, you'll know what your monthly budget is, and you won't be faced with any surprises. Pro tip: check out our article about the costs of studying to get an idea of what you'll be spending as a student.
Make a weekly schedule
Perhaps the biggest challenge of your new life is managing all the changes at once. In addition to studying and attending lectures, you now also have to do the housework, cook, and keep track of your finances. A rough weekly schedule, in which you plan time for your studies, housework, and of course sports and leisure, can therefore be very helpful in the beginning. Not to plan everything strictly and stick to it, but to keep an overview and avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything that comes your way. After a few weeks, you will probably have developed a routine, and balancing all your activities will come a lot more naturally!
Make sure you have the essentials at home
In addition to the basics, such as furniture, pots, pans, and bedding, there are a number of things you may not immediately think of, but which will come in handy:
- Flip-flops: even if you have a good cleaning schedule that everyone sticks to, you'll probably still prefer to shower with flip-flops on ;).
- Bathrobe: changing in a steamy bathroom isn't very relaxing, and running down the hallway wrapped in a towel isn't ideal either. The solution: a comfy bathrobe!
- Snacks: whether you come home after a night out or suddenly feel hungry while studying, it's always nice to have some snacks in your room.
- Shopping bag: a tote bag is very nice, but you'll soon find out that you can't fit much more than a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine in it. With a proper shopping bag, you'll get a lot further!
- Toilet paper stock: nothing is more annoying than finding out that you're out of toilet paper when the shops are already closed... So always make sure you have a good supply.
Curious about what else you need? Check out our complete checklist for moving out!
Make your room your own
Of course, it makes perfect sense that you have to get used to your new place. A boring student room with only some new furniture doesn't make this any easier. That’s why it’s worth making your student room feel like home: bring your favourite things from home, hang up some photos, and paint your walls a nice colour. At the thrift store, you can find cheerful lamps, a comfy chair, or cozy pillows for little money. This will make your room cozy and personal and will help you feel settled much faster!
Invest in your social life and self-care
Let's be honest, the first few weeks of living on your own take some getting used to, and you may feel lonely in this new environment at times. Make sure to plan plenty of fun activities, play a game with your new roommates, or call family or friends. You will also quickly meet new people during your studies, a part-time job, or at a sports or student association. Got a good connection with someone? Then suggest studying, cooking, or having lunch together. As long as you are open to it, you will find that your social circles will expand quickly. And being alone from time to time doesn’t have to mean being lonely: a solo date can sometimes be just as nice.
Give it time
It's perfectly normal to think “What have I gotten myself into?” during the first few weeks. Maybe you still don't feel completely at home, or that supposedly easy oven dish has failed for the third time. Don't worry: it doesn't have to be perfect right away, and getting used to your new life sometimes just takes time. After a while, you'll notice that you've established your own routines, that household chores no longer require much effort, and that you’ve found your groove. And then living on your own is actually pretty chill!
