20 Days till Graduation

...and I applied for my first real apartment. While it is not guaranteed that I have it at this time, at least it is an important step to solidifying post-graduation plans. For those of you who do not know how apartment hunting works, it sort of goes like this:

1. Search for places online within desired location and budget range, and then initiate contact 
2. Set up showing times 
3. And based on your criteria, you will select the best apartment for your financial and personal needs
4. Wait and see if your credit score and other credentials are checked before approval (IF no one has put in before you)
5. Sign a lease

Now, criteria is extremely important. I am blessed that I have an older brother who has gone through this process as it helped with knowing what to look for, what questions to ask, and simply knowing when the time is right to settle. I wanted something bigger than a college apartment. I wanted a dishwasher. I wanted a pantry. And I wanted a washer and dryer. (Unfortunately, the washer and dryer dream will have to wait.) Bring along or ask for a tape measure. It helped with the final decision, as I had to be sure a queen-size bed could fit comfortable in the bedroom.

 Questions that you should ask are - What is included? (heat, water, garbage, garage, electricity, etc.) Is the heat gas or electric? Where is the nearest grocery store, hospital, or tornado shelter? What is the price, square footage? Are pets allowed? Who do I contact if something breaks? Is the apartment internet or cable ready? (If this is important to you. I'm not getting cable.) And what are the policies the building tenants need to follow, like are there quiet hours? Hopefully, all the answers will help lead you to find the perfect place. 

I found most of my preferred characteristics in a wonderful, loft style apartment. It sits on the first floor, so I have a small patio where I can walk out into the grass and look at an artificial pond.

It felt weird and nerve-racking to sit down and sign paper after paper, acknowledging the apartment could be my space soon. But after that hour of signing, I knew I was ready for the next step in life. I hope within the next few days, I will receive good news. If not, the search will continue.

Graduation: 20 days and counting. . .




If anyone has tips on car hunting, please comment below!

Almost Making it in the Real World

Between senior seminars, an internship, presidential duties of a student organization, and general course work, where am I supposed to find time to:  apply for employment, take days off for interviews, find an apartment, buy a car, figure out upcoming student loan payments, and actually do the assigned course work! (Social life? Haha. Please.)

This is life for the average, graduating, college senior in late April, and the premise of my blog. 

Everyone has their own version of a “hectic life” and managing it is half the battle. Through my own experiences, with hopefully more “trials” than “errors,” I want to be encouraging to those who are going through big life changes, decisions, and ultimately – straight up life.

I’ll let you know what I do to keep everything managed while having a good time doing so! In addition, I have certain loves in life and I intend to share them with you. There are the general topics such as exercising, fashion, recipes, etc.  However, I am a writer, economist, small business supporter, hater of processed foods, and lover of everything outdoors. My blog will include these topics and more! As a writer, I tend to find fascination in a variety of topics, so don’t be too surprised if one week I share something about an Irish folktale or my home state, Wisconsin! (Yeah, I’m a cheese head!) But moreover, I hope to help others, like myself, make the transition into the “real world.” 

With one month left till my college graduation, it's a chaotic and wonderful time! Let's get prepped for life after graduation together!

Want to get in touch with me? Shoot me an email at lydialharrer@gmail.com or leave a message on my blog. If you have any ideas on how to improve my blog or self-marketing, please let me know!