// LIVING OFF-CAMPUS

Renting your own apartment? Sharing a house with friends? Living away from home and off-campus is an exciting experience that brings a huge sense of independence, not to mention a few challenges. (Think roommates and dirty dishes).

When you leave the comfort of home or the dorm room, you're entering a world of rental agreements, paper work, bills, cooking and cleaning. But hey, that's the way the world works.

Being prepared is a big help. If you've never dealt with the world of landlords and leases, it helps to know a few basics about renting. It's also smart to add a couple of quick and easy dinner dishes to your culinary repertoire, so that you can eat well on a student budget.

Tense times with your roommates? Get talking! Communication is the best way to create domestic harmony — and that will help you focus on why you're here in the first place.