Having a Real House in College: 7 Tips

By Lev Novak

College living is a special sort of thing, where filth builds character and empty beer bottles remain as souvenirs, each one with its own sacred story.

1. Keep Momentum

The moment you take a break, you’re done. That’s just how the decorating game goes. Trust me- trust me– the second you find a “good enough” couch, you’re going to stop looking for a better one. It’s only natural; once you get settled, even for a moment, you’re going to find better things to do than decorate your apartment. Posters are going to be forgotten when parties come around. Setting up shelves is a pipe dream. In all honesty, whatever you set up in the first two weeks of school is going to be your home for the next nine or twelve months. Take it seriously. Yes, it’s a hassle; but having a real-life house is going to add up through the weeks that follow.

2. No Disasters

Sometimes all you need to keep your college housing is good is not to screw it up. That’s easier said than done, however: disasters form when something bad happens in your house, and, more importantly, everyone ignores it. Gross sink? Watch the dishes slowly pile up for months. Expired food in the fridge? Watch everyone get take-out for weeks. Someone spilled a pot of beer? Guess what: everything smells like beer, forever.

So what can you do? Stop the disaster from blossoming. Like the tip above, what happens in your house stays there. Clean up the dishes when the crisis first peaks; deal with a smelly fridge before it becomes toxic. Problems are fine: unchecked, you’re going to spend your whole year tip-toeing around your own house.

3. Small Class For Big Gains.

You don’t have to spend big chunks of cash to make your apartment resemble a real home: all you have to do is pay attention to the small touches.

Get a few posters- none of half-naked girls or bands, though. Instead, search around for some cool ones online. I recommend art prints myself: there’s no better way to prove you’re almost classy.

Likewise, get some of those scented Glade plug-ins; anything vaguely suburban and lame like that is going to be worth it’s weight in gold when fighting left-over pizza smells. Spend ten bucks here and there, and you’ll have a house like a home.

4. Make Your Mom Proud

Make your bed. Put your clothes into a laundry hamper. Wash your sheets and towels, lest you get a mildewy smell. That last one, from personal experience, is a killer. I know, it’s a drag- towels, especially, take up tons of laundry quarters- but it’s worth it. It’s those small costs that add up to a house worth living in- plus, one half as nasty as it’d be otherwise. Again, mildewy towels are a house-killer.

5.Find Your Thing

Pick one thing and do it right. Do you want to be the only house with an actual T.V. so every Game of Thrones or Mad Men night you’re the place to be? Or do you want to invest in speakers so that every party you have brings neighbors clamoring…to be let in. Whatever it is, find one thing to invest in and build around it. It’ll make your whole year a bit better. Plus, you’ll get perks from sharing your specialty too. The house that hosts Game of Thrones night always gets party invites, after all.

6. Open Windows, Open Blinds

It’s that easy. Fresh air and light are going to make your house smell, feel, and look better. Is that obvious? Sure. But look around your apartment and you’ll see, more often than not, your shades are still down to keep the sun from waking you from your hangover, and the windows shut to quiet the birds. Well, open them up and see the day. After a breakfast sandwich, of course; you are hungover, after all.

7. Mop The Floor

Seriously. Just do it.

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