20 Tips To Help Your Move To Your First State College Apartment

You're moving into your first Penn State apartment. The transition from your dorm to a larger apartment can be slightly overwhelming. Maybe you just don't know where to start.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. A great majority of first-time college apartment renters experience anxiety when transitioning from a dorm to an apartment.

Luckily, we've compiled a list of tips to make the transition easier for you. For your convenience, we've broken down our guide into two sections. The first includes items to make your life easier. The second is general tips you might want to follow to make your transition smoother. Read on for the most essential information for your first college apartment. 

Making a move from a dorm to an apartment is a significant change. There will be items you'll need in the apartment that you didn't have space for in the dorm. Certain commodities and appliances that were once obsolete have become essential again. We separated everything by room to make it easier for you. 

1. You can most likely pick up a larger mattress now. Don't be afraid to upgrade. 

2. There's room for added comfort. Pick up a mattress topper if it helps you sleep better. 

3. Grab some extra blankets and pillowcases while you're at it. You deserve to splurge a little bit. 

4. You should have more space for bedroom furniture now. Don't hesitate to grab an extra dresser.

5. Get some nightstands to put next to your bigger bed. 

6. You can get a desk and desk chair now if you don't have one already. If you do, you can upgrade to a bigger one. 

Before the move, you may have had to share a bathroom with a whole floor. Now you can customize one all your own. 

7. Grab whatever towels and wash clothes you'd like. This is something you might already have, but don't be afraid to add to the collection.

8. You're going to need storage space for the bathroom. Cheap plastic bins you can buy from retail stores will do just fine for this purpose. 

9. Don't forget a shower curtain and rugs for your bathroom floor. 

10. Add a trashcan to the list if you don't have one for the bathroom already.

11. The kitchen will be pretty straightforward. You can usually grab a whole kitchen set that includes all your pots and pans. Grab a silverware set, plates, bowls, and a kitchen table set with some chairs, and consider your Ramen noodle days over.

12. It's not a bad idea to grab a couple rugs for the kitchen area along with some dishtowels and potholders. 

Don't be afraid to shop at discount and second-hand stores for some items on this list. Most likely, you will be on a budget. You'd be surprised at some of the high-quality scores you can find that people throw away. 

Besides the items you're going to need for your move, there are a few practices that can make your life a lot easier during your transition. 

13. Make a Wish List

Once again, most likely, you will be on a budget. Don't be overwhelmed with purchasing and getting everything done all at once. 

Start with the most essential items first when you're doing your shopping. Beyond that, make a wish list for extra things you may need or want for your apartment. Don't rush into buying everything all at once. Take your time and budget your money. 

This will make the transition much easier on your wallet. Taking your time also ensures you get the items you really want instead of rushing and getting things that may not suit your style.

14. Treat Your Place Respectfully

Many times dorms end up getting trashed. The hectic mixture of independence, partying, and school can lead to a neglect of your living space at times. 

Remember, you may be in this apartment for a while. Consider your apartment to be your fortress of solitude. Treat it with respect and keep it clean. This leads to a greater sense of accomplishment and pride. Take care of your place, and it will take care of you.

15. Patience Is a Virtue

Many new apartment tenants want to accomplish everything at once. This can lead to extra stress and anxiety. Be patient with your new place and pace yourself. You don't have to get everything done as soon as you move in. 

Using your wish list is key here. Set small goals and start with the necessities first, then slowly move towards your wants. 

16. Be Organized

Even though you may have a ton of extra space compared to your Penn State dorm, it's crucial to stay organized. Don't get too carried away with your additional square footage. 

Make good use of storage bins and closet space and stay as organized as you can. A clean apartment is a comfortable apartment. You're still in school, and organization is going to make your life much easier. 

17. Look for Bargains

Not everything for your new apartment has to be top-of-the-line. There's no problem going for quality or brand new purchases on more significant items, like appliances. Everything else you can typically find at a bargain price. 

Second-hand and discount stores are perfect for saving money. Don't forget about Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, and other sites. 

18. Make It Yours

Decorate your apartment the way you want it. This will be your home for a while, and you've earned it. Don't be afraid to make it yours. This will give you a space you're more than happy to come home to. Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment, so reward yourself. 

19. Do It The Right Way

This goes back to the concept of taking your time. Pace yourself and make your apartment look the way you truly visioned it. Don't rush just for the sake of finalizing your place. You'll end up much happier with the final product.

20. Cleaning/Reducing Clutter

Don't wait until the situation is overwhelming to clean your apartment. Nobody wants to take on an enormous cleaning job. Keeping everything clean as you go along leads to less stress. 

Keep your clutter as low as possible, and don't let junk pile up. Get the things you want but don't get carried away. An extra ten or fifteen minutes per day will eliminate hours of cleaning on the weekends. 

Following these tips will make your transition from a tiny dorm to a more spacious State College apartment much smoother. If you have roommates work together with them to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Designate certain days and chores for different people. Don't let the workload fall on you or your roommate. 

If you are splitting the apartment, make sure the bills and expenses are outlined in the beginning. Make sure it's evident who is responsible for what costs. This can eliminate potentially disastrous arguments in the end. Happy moving!

To view amazing apartments in State College, contact the State College apartment experts at Nevins Real Estate Management at (814) 238-3153.