Tips on how to start your life as an out-of-towner -DoveVivo by Joivy

home

We are at the beginning of a new academic year, and this means that many young people are starting their lives as out-of-town students.

This is an important step because it means moving from family-bound life to living alone or with roommates in an unfamiliar city. You have probably been hit hundreds of times at home with advice on how to live alone, telling you to be careful, to keep your room tidy, to be good and study hard. You probably nodded your head 'yes, yes' while in your mind the only images running through your mind were of university parties and the freedom of not having to say what time to come home.

Perfect, if you're in this situation it's completely normal and you're ready to start your life as an out-of-towner. But first, let's go over those essential tips for living away from home during your first year at university. We are sure that at this point you too are beginning to think that they might be useful.

Tips for living alone as a student

The first thing to do when moving to another city is to find accommodation.In the case of students or young workers, the best solution is a shared flat. Having roommates is a great way to share expenses, make friends and have support to start dealing with all those situations that are new.

Finding the right house in which to start your adventure is important because if things get difficult or stressful, you will have the security of knowing that you will always find a refuge at home where you can relax. If you are still looking for the right flat for you, we at DoveVivo can help you. Our job is precisely to find the right accommodation for your needs.

That said, when you study, or work, away from home you need to learn to look after yourself and find ways to live in harmony with your flatmates. Here are some simple but useful tips to keep in mind.

1. Watch out for the budget

When you move out on your own, you realise how many expenses there are. Apart from the cost of rent and utilities, you have to do the shopping, buy books or study materials, make transport passes, have a small budget for emergencies, and be able to indulge in some fun too.

This means that you have to have in mind in advance, at least in broad strokes, which purchases you can afford, net of compulsory payments, and which you will have to postpone until the following month.

A great way to keep money outgoings under control is to be careful when shopping by buying what you really need. Also, get into the habit of packing your lunch at home and taking it to the university, this way you will be able to save money on food that costs more at a restaurant or café.

Doing so will allow you to treat yourself to an extra outing with your friends at the weekend or whenever you like.

2. Befriend responsibility

Moving away from the family home can give you a great sense of freedom, as you will no longer have to abide by your parents' rules. On the other hand, if you live with roommates, but also if you live alone, you have to learn to take responsibility.

This means that you have to respect other people's habits, keep your own commitments, for example if there are cleaning routines to observe, also take into account the needs of others.

Life with housemates can be really nice and fun, as long as everyone in the house learns to behave well and respect others. Of course, mistakes can happen as well as quarrels, but the trick to getting along is to learn to deal positively with difficult situations.

3. Build relationships with your housemates

Learning to live alone does not necessarily mean actually being alone. Especially if you live with other guys, our advice is to set aside some time to be with them.

Roommates can become real friends for the rest of your life, but if not, you will have ensured a pleasant cohabitation for as long as it lasts. By moving into a shared flat you can meet people from different countries and backgrounds. It could be really interesting to get to know them, exchange experiences and broaden your horizons.

All you need to do to forge relationships is to spend time together, for example by organising dinners all together, evenings in and out of the apartment, a few weekend trips to explore the city or surrounding areas.

The more you create a bond with the people you live with, the easier and more spontaneous life at home will be. On the other hand, it may happen that you find yourself with a person with whom you just don't get along, in which case you will both have to look for the best way to live well in spite of everything, that too means growing up.

4. Remember that your commitment is to study

If you move to another city to go to university, remember that studying is always your first commitment. Even if you feel the adrenalin rush of your first experiences as an out-of-towner, don't leave studying behind but think that that is what you are living your adventure for.

A great way to study is to create study groups with your university mates, you will help each other learn and learn to deal with the stress of exams together.

5. Be organised

Organisation becomes a key element when moving out on your own. It means knowing how to manage your time in such a way that you manage to do more or less everything that is needed.

Let's take an example: you have to study to prepare for an exam, but it's your turn to do the cleaning, plus you're left with nothing in the fridge and you also have to do a wash.

Nothing dramatic, you just have to figure out how to manage your time, prioritise and organise your days. If you know you have a lot of things to do, try not to go to bed late, wake up early and start, step by step, to tick all the things off your list.

Don't worry, not every day will be like this, after all the duties you can take your time to have fun, stay up late at night and sleep without setting the alarm clock.

6. Explore the neighbourhood and meet people

One of the best things when you are in a new place is that there is so much to discover. Start with a tour of your neighbourhood to find out which shops are most interesting, the nearest supermarket, places to hang out with friends and possibly areas to avoid.

Knowing the area where you live is crucial as is having a friendly relationship with your neighbours. In times of need, you and your neighbours know that you can help each other out, even if it is only to water the plants, lend each other sugar or warn each other of strange movements in the building.

7. Think safety

Taking action to ensure as much safety as possible is one of the most important tips when you go to live alone. Do not tell anyone where you live, do not let strangers into your home, always lock your doors and windows.

In the evenings it is better to go home with someone or take a taxi to the front door. When taking transport check what you have in your pockets, better to keep your bag or backpack in front of you.

There is no need to be afraid but be prepared and think about your own safety.

Being aware is the first step to knowing how best to handle situations! So, take these tips with you to start your life as an out-of-towner on the right foot and everything else you will learn on the field.