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Any advice on how to cope with leaving home?
So I just graduated high school and I am moving away from home, and I know I'll miss it all tremendously, especially my family. What was it like when you moved out, any advice on how to cope with it?




I moved out at 17 for reasons related to LGBT status. I take it this is just moving out for college? I was also just super glad to get off the farm and things so kind of was happy to leave.
But in general moving out advise.
Budget Food! I cannot express this enough fast food will kill your ability to have money.
Learn to cook! We have sort of small house/apartment parties from time to time with 10 or so people we cook good food people show up. Doing this invite casual acquaintances people like food and it is a good way to make friends. Plus this saves you money and is a good skill that both women and men enjoy.
Laundry! Seriously find a place with your own washer, dryer.
You are going to make mistakes with budgets, and everything is going to be stressful. Do not overload your college schedule, combined with living on your own the first year is going to probably be stressful and that is ok just expect it to an extent.
If I could add to this.....if your bank allows you, link your overdraft fees to your savings account vs taking it from your checking and then make sure you have enough in your savings for one or two overdraft mistakes.
That saved me a couple of "howlers" from my mother.
I would recommend a credit union over a bank mine has no overdraft fees as long as you are not over by more then 200$.
I think one of the best thing you can do is first, let yourself feel for a while. It's an emotional time for everyone and everyone deals with it differently-- but make sure you don't bury it. It's okay to call home, take things that calm you down to your new place and doing things you would normally. For instance, I felt a lot calmer making food that my parents would normally make for us.
Second, reach out to others. When I moved away to college I was 100% alone and it made it even harder to get settled. By joining an organization on-campus I was presented so many opportunities for friendship and activities that enabled me to feel more at home and at peace. Even if you aren't going to college you can find groups of like-minded people through community centers, churches, libraries and even through work. It's just so important not to isolate yourself.
:: I've worked with incoming freshmen college students for the last few years
Good advice here.
If its not too late, I would go to a local college close to home first. It helps...its like taking a small baby step out the door.
If that's not possible...I brought my teddy bear. LOTS of pictures. I walked around aimlessly a lot. The first time you go home after you've settled into your new life though, its the worst. I feel bad for you ahead of time. :(
The first time I went to live away from home I was in the middle of a depression and woefully unprepared, so I learnt by making clear mistakes. It's important that you keep your life ordered, which means that in the degree of your possibilities you should try to hold yourself up to the schedules and hours you used to do at home: for meal times, sleep hours, chores, etc.
This will help you keep a structure around you that will help you normalise the fact that you're not living with your folks, making the transition a bit easier.