First College Apartment Checklist: Everything You Need to Know
Every year, approximately18-20 million Americansenroll in college. Not every one of those individuals will live in a college apartment, but there are plenty who do. Those people need to know what they should include on their checklist of items to include in their first college apartment. We have some important tips and pointers to recommend to anyone who is facing this reality.
Here at River Ranch, San Angelo, Texas premier apartment community, we want to help students with their first college apartment checklist so they can start off the semester with a tidy and well-equipped apartment.
Meal Plan or No Meal Plan
Food is a big concern for anyone living on their own for the first time. You want to keep yourself well-fed so that you can enjoy all that college has to offer. That is why many colleges and universities offer a meal plan that allows students to eat meals from school-provided meal halls.
Naturally, there is a cost associated with having a meal plan, and some students choose to take a pass on that expense and instead go their own way as far as keeping themselves fed. If that is the choice that you want to make, then you will need some kitchen essentials to prepare meals, including:
- Pots and pans
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Food storage containers
- Plates and bowls
- Mugs and cups
- Can opener
- Spatula
The list goes on from there, but these basics are an absolute must-have for anyone who might consider skipping out on a meal plan.
Furnished or Unfurnished Housing
Students will have many different housing options that they can select from when they first get to campus. On-campus vs. off-campus housing is one thing to consider, but so is furnished vs. unfurnished housing. While it might be more affordable to go with unfurnished housing as far as the monthly rent is concerned, you must think about the costs of getting a place furnished to your liking. There are expense factors there that should not be overlooked.
Furnished housing is a simpler way for many students to move into an "out-of-the-box" ready-to-move-in apartment. That being said, they may not love the furnishings that are selected for them, and they might have to pay extra each month for the privilege of living in a furnished apartment. Plus, if the student has roommates, then it is essential to ask them about any furnishing decisions (particularly big ones) before making those choices.
School Essentials
Remember, ultimately, a college student is there to learn, and that means he or she will need the school essentials to help power that process forward. Many of these things are similar to the types of school essentials that the student has used throughout grade school and high school, but it is always nice to do a touch-up on items that one might have had around for some time. In other words, it may be time to upgrade the essentials that one already owns.
A few of the things that you certainly want to include on your school essentials list are:
Desk Chair - As a college student, you will likely spend a lot more time at a desk while in your apartment than you did previously. All of those long hours of studying and researching can lead to some major aches and pains if you aren't careful about the type of desk chair that you select for yourself. Don't be afraid to stretch the budget a little to get a desk chair that meets your needs.
Laptop and Charger - Your laptop will quickly become a lifeline for you while you are in college. It is what you need to connect to not only your classes, but also to the outside world as a whole. Therefore, you should make sure you have an excellent one available.
Pens, Highlighters, and Notebooks - Some basic tools like this are also useful. When taking notes in class, many students find that they are able to absorb more of the material when they write down notes on paper instead of just on their laptops. It is true that the laptops can be useful but consider going back to the tried and true tools for the best results.
While this list is not comprehensive, it is a great way to start off on an exciting college journey. Make sure you get those essentials together at the beginning of the school year so you will have them ready to go.
Other Items You Don't Want to Forget
There will always be a few additional items that you don't want to forget as you embark on your college journey. A few examples of things to keep handy include:
Entertainment Items - Bring along things to keep yourself entertained during a late night or long weekend. Items such as video game consoles and board games are excellent choices to help keep yourself fully happy.
Mini Fridge - One of the most useful items that you might consider bringing along is a mini fridge. This will help you to keep your food separate from your roommate's food. These things become important when you share a small space with another person.
Consider some of these odds and ends as you begin to pack up items for your college experience.
Check Out Student Apartments at River Ranch Apartments
Looking for a great place to settle in for your college journey? If so, the River Ranch Apartments is the place for you. Offering everything that a college student needs, River Ranch Apartments also happen to be a budget-friendly place for students to begin their higher education journey.
Located just a few minutes from Angelo State University, our comfortable and spacious apartments provide a distraction-free learning space that so many students need as they begin their coursework. Residents also gain access to exclusive amenities like our outdoor swimming pool, well-equipped fitness center, tanning beds, basketball court, and much more.
Schedule a tour today and discover your first college apartment in San Angelo, Texas.