Moving Back Home After College

Are you considering moving home after four or more years of college? Whether you move home to save money, complete an unpaid internship, look for a job or pass the time until grad school starts, consider ways to smooth the transition and make the experience a positive one for everyone.

Even while returning home after college is becoming more common, it can still be challenging to adjust from dorm living to home life. In order to successfully start a new life and profession after graduation, this article gives advice on how to relocate back home and how to make the most of your time there.

Below, I have compiled a handful of tips to make the transition back home a smooth one.

by: Cyril Caton

Communicate Regularly

You lived at home with your parents for 18 years, but those four years of college changed you. Together with your parents, prioritize weekly family meetings that help you discuss any concerns, hash out problems, and strengthen your adult relationship.

Clarify Your Financial Obligations

Moving home from college may save you money, but it doesn’t erase your adult obligations. With your parents, decide if you’ll pay rent, buy groceries, or finance your own car insurance. Likewise, be clear about your strategy for repaying student loans. Your parents or their accountant can assist you in creating a workable budget and preparing financially for the future.

Moving to an Apartment VS a House

It’s crucial to understand the particular difficulties and advantages of each because moving into an apartment vs a house can be rather different. Space is frequently more constrained when moving into an apartment, and you might need to get used to living close to your neighbors. You might also have to understand the rules of the building, such as the restrictions on hanging things on the walls or the quiet hours.

Collaboration and communication are essential when moving in with parents. To guarantee a smooth transition, each person should have their own assigned place. Talk about needs and expectations, such as setting quiet hours or housework. Another way to reduce tension and foster cooperation is to offer to assist one another with the organizing and move.

Split Household Chores

Your parents probably made you clean your room as a kid, and the same rule applies now that you’ve moved home after college. Negotiate a chore list, and faithfully do your share as you keep your new home tidy and clean.

Create a Family Calendar

Gone are your carefree college days, when you planned your own schedule and ran your own life. Moving home after college requires you to be accountable to your parents. That doesn’t mean you can never invite friends over for a party or stay out after midnight, but you will have to keep your parents informed of your schedule so that they don’t worry when you crash at a friend’s house instead of sleeping at home. A family calendar easily tracks everyone’s schedule. On it, list your work schedule and any social plans. Additionally, check the calendar regularly so that you don’t miss important family meetings.

Set Daily Routine

While making the transition from campus life to living at home and navigating a job search, developing a daily routine is crucial for maintaining a positive attitude and staying focused. When the job market is competitive, maintaining your mental health is more crucial.

You may keep motivated by doing things like working out, applying for employment at coffee shops, and setting aside time for yourself.

Insist on Privacy

Even though I have my own family now, my parents still appreciate knowing that I’m okay. Your parents will want to know the same things, and their curiosity and concern may feel stifling since you’re living under the same roof together. Commit to checking in regularly, but insist on maintaining privacy. Ask your parents to stay out of your room and off your phone, and give them the same courtesy.

Look for a Job

Living at home after college doesn’t mean you can sit around in pajamas and play video games all day. You’ll want to go to work or look for a job if you don’t already have one. Search the newspaper classified section, apply for work through a reputable temp agency like Manpower or Kelly and ask everyone you know for leads. Whether you plan to live at home for a few months or indefinitely, get serious about finding a job.

Trust me, living with your parents as an adult isn’t always easy. However, moving home can be rewarding personally, financially and professionally. Take the transition seriously and emphasize communication, courtesy and compromise from the moment you unpack your college furniture to the day you move into your own apartment.

Conclusion

Remember to see the process of returning home after college as an opportunity throughout. It’s a chance to start saving money, pay off student loans, and concentrate on starting your post-graduation profession and life. Establish boundaries, expectations, and open lines of communication with your parents early on. Then, set objectives for yourself, stay motivated, and take advantage of the opportunity to position yourself for success.

What tips would you offer a recent graduate who’s moving home after college?