Moving Out
The day that every teenager imagines has finally come: moving day. Independence. A life of no supervision. Freedom! All your worldly possessions are boxed up and loaded into the family wagon, but now what? Up until now, your focus has been on moving out – not necessarily on where to move. Just … out. As tempting as it is to do a happy dance and focus your attention on your upcoming freedom, it’s a good idea to think about exactly what your living options are for the next several years.

Here are some common options (including staying put):

Typical Dorm Room - Dorm rooms vary across the nation, from closet-sized squares with barely enough room for bunk beds and a dresser, to spacious lofts with large closets and plenty of floor space. But no matter the square footage, these rooms and the buildings that house them are the place to start friendships that can last a lifetime.

Campus Apartment - Usually reserved for upper classmen, university-run apartments can be the best of both worlds. Living on campus, you’ve got the convenience of classes, clubs and school activities close by. Having a full apartment also gives you some space to spread your wings.

Off-campus Apartment - Live as close to campus, or as far away, as you want. An off-campus apartment gives you the freedom to decide which part of town, apartment style and floor plan suit you best. This is also a great way to escape from campus, classes and the stress that comes with high-level college classes.

Off-campus House - No more annoying upstairs neighbors or having no place to hang out with your friends. Not only is renting a house the perfect excuse to move a bunch of your friends under one roof, but you’ll be able to crank up the stereo, and a front yard guarantees you’ll have a place to play.

Living at Home - Okay, you know what this is like. While not everybody’s first choice, living at home while you’re going to college can be a great option. You can save a lot of money on room and board and it comes with the advantage of parental support. That support can be invaluable during this year of challenge and change.

Greek Housing - While living one year in-house is a requirement for many fraternities and sororities, this can also be a great way to stay involved in the organization. Living “in-house” will not only keep you in the loop on what’s going on, but it will also give you a chance to get to know many of your brothers or sisters in a way that might not otherwise happen.