Moving out of is such a big step. Whether you’re moving out to res, boarding school or your own apartment, it can all be so scary. Even with all of the uncertainty, this can also be an exciting step. In the midst of all the excitement and nervousness, there are some things that you definitely need to remember before moving out. Here are a few.

Can you afford it?

Living on your own, or with friends, can be really expensive. If you’re going to be paying for everything all on your own, it can even be stressful. Your varsity years are probably going to be the best and most memorable times of your life, but you can only fully enjoy the experience if your finances aren’t drowning you. So, think about whether or not you can financially afford to be living away from home before you take that leap.

Are you disciplined enough?

Not having your parents around to constantly remind you to make the right decisions is freeing, but too much freedom can also be a huge problem. If you’re going to be studying, you need to maintain the same level of discipline that you had when you were still living at home, especially where your studies are concerned. You’ll also need to be disciplined when it comes to chores, paying your rent on time and taking care of all the other responsibilities that come with living on your own.

Who will you be living with?

The concept of having a roommate at varsity isn’t foreign at all. If anything, it makes a lot of financial sense because it helps you cut costs on rent and groceries. However, you need to be really careful about choosing a roommate. The best people to live with are friends who are just as focused on their studies as you are, but a stranger may not be so bad either. If you can choose your roomie then it should be someone who’s likeminded and trustworthy. If you do find yourself having to deal with a difficult roommate, here’s some advice.

Pack smart

Just because you’re moving out of home for a long while, doesn’t mean you have to pack all your belongings. You’ll to want to visit home without feeling like an actual visitor over the holidays. So, it might help to leave some of your belongings behind and take only your favourite and most necessary possessions.

Keep in touch

The first couple of months of being out of home can either be so exciting that you even forget to call your loved ones, or the new environment can be a huge shock to the system. Keeping in touch with your loved ones can make you feel better about the transition, helping you maintain healthy relationships with the people you’ve left behind.

Moving out can be a really great experience, but it’s a decision you need to think about long and hard. Speak to people you trust who’ve done it before to find out how you can make the experience work for you. You can also read this article for help with your first year at res. Will you be moving out next year? Share your feelings about it with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.