Your College Apartment Memory Book

Whether you’re a graduating senior or a sophomore who is just looking for a change in your living situation next year, your apartment holds many memories. For most college students, this is the first apartment that they’ve lived in. With that comes the hurdles of talking to your landlord for the first time, living with more than one roommate and a myriad of uniquely college-living experiences. Let’s reminisce from your move-in date all the way until now.

New Horizons

Freshman year weekend nights were in two distinct locations: the dorms and downtown. When you finally moved into your new apartment, this came with the excitement of finally being able to host others in a space where you aren’t all standing between two beds. Meeting new neighbors also meant having more people to become friends with (or at least warn when you’re planning on hosting).

A whole apartment for you and your friends meant you could also decorate your place how you actually want to — no RA is there to police you. No college girl’s apartment is complete without a bar cart, and many students are guilty of having a graveyard of bottles lining the top of their kitchen cabinets. Looking back now as you take your posters down and pack up your decorations, take a moment to remember what it meant to you to finally feel like an adult decorating your very first home-away-from-home.

Friends Turned Family

The best part about college is being so close to all of your friends, and even living with some of them. Recount the times that you and your roommates all ended up sitting around the living room talking for hours, probably procrastinating your work and maybe staying longer than you should have. These moments weren’t planned, but they are some of the best memories and bonding moments for you and your friends. 

With you and your friends all living under the same roof, you’ve been able to reap the privileges of living with people going through the same stages of life as you. You’ve been able to get advice from them about classes, relationships, outfits and all things college knowing that they’ll come to you later asking about the same things.

Apartment Firsts

While transitioning from life at home to dorm life as a freshman is a major hurdle, VALLEY thinks that the hurdle from dorms to your first apartment is the real challenge. The first time you have to call your landlord (whether it be for something you caused or not) can feel nerve-wracking.

Getting used to paying rent and utilities on time helped you grow, too. Maybe the most interesting new experience is learning what weird things your roommates consider to be “normal,” and either having to talk to them or learning to deal with it.

Secrets Only You Know

A unique part of living in one of the thousands of apartments in State College is learning the secrets about your home that you could only know after living there. You learn which elevator is faster, which burner on the stove gets the hottest, how to close the closet door just right so it stays shut, you name it! 

If you’re sentimental about leaving the place that holds so many college memories for you, don’t be afraid to show it. And if you’re feeling generous, you could send a letter to the new residents moving about all the secrets you know about the place (you already know the address)!

Let us know the quirkiest thing about your apartment on Instagram @VALLEYmag!

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