How To: Survive Living on Your Own

Thinking back on your freshman year of college, you probably have fond (or less than fond) memories of living in a dorm.  Whether it be an epic prank war with your suite-mate, the distinctive smell that penetrates an all-male hall, or learning to love the glow-in-the-dark Twilight posters your random roommate decorated with, the freshman dorm experience is an essential part of college and a stepping stone for living on your own.  As fun as hall meetings and fire drills are, moving off-campus is something that most college students revel in.  Having your own apartment is new and fun, but it comes with its own set of challenges.  Here are a few things I’ve learned through living on my own...


1.   Don’t let your kitchen get nasty.  I lived in a house with about 40 other people this summer and although we had chores, it was understood that no one ever did them.  Thus, the kitchen was in a constant state of filth and the worse it gets, the less likely it is to ever get better, as illustrated by the chart below.

2.  Pay your rent on time.  Set up an email reminder, write it in your planner, get your mom to send you a carrier pigeon, whatever works for you. 

3. Know how to read a bus schedule.  This may seem intuitive, but you’d be surprised at how often I’ve read the Monday schedule on a Tuesday.  The bus schedule is your best friend, so make sure you grab a copy or check it out on the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation's website.

4. Don’t be passive-aggressive if you’re having a roommate conflict.  It may seem like a good idea to turn down the air conditioning to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to get your point across, but it’s not.  Neither is hiding all the toilet paper or releasing an ant farm in their bedroom.  My advice is just to talk it out.  There might be some yelling, but at least you won’t wake up sweating in the middle of the night when you realize your roommate turned the air conditioning back up to 90 degrees.

5.  Make friends with your neighbors.  They’re more likely to turn down their bass if you’re nice to them than if you tell them to shut up as a stranger.  Also, they might have essentials that you don’t, like rolling pins or milk for when you only have cereal. 


Living on your own is a big step toward becoming an "adult" (not that I'm ready to do that), and it can be a lot of fun.  With more freedom comes more responsibility, so make sure you stay on top of everything!


-SD

How 'Bout Them Apples?

Apple picking is an entertaining way to spend a beautiful afternoon outside.  With fall coming to a close and frost beginning to settle on the ground each night, students are losing time to enjoy outdoor activities such as apple picking. 

In nearby Timberville, Va, which is just a 25 minute drive from campus, multiple places offer opportunities to pick your own apples with a group or with friends.  Here is the information for two that you want to check out before it starts getting too chilly!    

 Ryan’s Fruit Market is on Rt. 613 is Timberville.  They offer apple varieties such as Red Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith and Gala.  To contact Ryan’s Fruit Mart, call 540-896-2181 or email cryan56374@aol.com.  Call to get information about when certain apples are ripe.

Showalter's Orchard and Greenhouse is located on Honeyville Rd. in Timberville.  Showalter's offers homemade apple cider and over 20 varieties of apples.  On Saturdays, patrons can visit the Orchard and pick their own apples to take home.  For more information about Showalters, call 540-896-7582 or visit www.showaltersorchardandgreenhouse.com.


Once your apples have been picked, try one of these fun and easy recipes from some of your favorite Food Network stars!  These recipes also do not require a lot of baking, so on campus students will be able to make them as well.


Caramel Apples
Paula Deen


Ingredients

• 6 apples
• Craft sticks
• 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top. Butter a baking sheet. Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool briefly. Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on prepared sheet to set. They can be rolled in chopped nuts for an added touch of flavor!

Recipe courtesy of the Food Network website: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/caramel-apples-recipe/index.html

Waldorf Salad

Food Network Kitchens

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts halves
• 1/2 cup non-fat yogurt
• 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 lemon, zest finely grated
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large crisp apples, such as Gala
• 2 ribs celery (with leaves), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (leaves chopped)
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 head Boston lettuce, trimmed, washed, and dried

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degree F.

Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool and break the nuts up into small pieces.

Whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley, honey, and lemon zest in a large bowl and season generously with pepper.

Halve, core, and cut the apples into 3/4-inch pieces, leaving the skin intact. Add the apples, celery and raisins to the bowl, and sprinkle with the lemon juice; then toss with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.

When ready to serve, toss walnuts into the salad. Arrange the lettuce leaves on a large platter, or divide them among 4 salad plates. Place the salad on the lettuce and serve.

Recipe courtesy of the Food Network website: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/waldorf-salad-recipe2/index.html

Apple picking is a fun and delicious way to spend a fall afternoon.  Apple season runs through the end of November, so be sure to get picking while you still can!

Holding onto that green paper.

                                 Pic-http://www.fastweb.com/financial-aid/articles/302-not-all-need-is-created-equal

We all know the feeling when we look into our pockets and find no cash. It happens to everyone and while we are still in college, there some things we can do to help extend the longevity of that green paper. One of the biggest expenses in college is maintaining an apartment since there are many hidden costs that people overlook, such as food and utilities. Here are some tips that you can use to help curb those expenses down. 

1.  Make your own cleaning supplies with cheap ingredients like vinegar and soda instead of buying products that could become expensive in the long haul. Look for recipes that teach you how to make dishwashing detergent and more.

2. Try to find an apartment that pays for all utilities. Gas, electricity and water are expensive so finding an apartment that is willing to pay all the utilities from your rent will be a huge cost saver. If you are set on a certain place that does not pay for all utilities, become energy efficient and plug off devices you don’t use. 

3. Buy natural products and cook more often instead of buying packaged foods that will only last a day. Sometimes a meal that you can cook will last for up to a week which will also be healthier for you in the long run. 

4. Rely on public transportation. Try to avoid using a car as much as possible when trying to commute to campus or when going for a grocery run. You will save on gas bills and maintenance issues and you will never have to worry about parking on campus. 

5. Invest in do-it-yourself projects instead of buying home decorations for your living room. No one needs to buy fancy items to make your place look prettier. Let your imagination run wild and make the projects a bonding experience with your roommates. 

6. If there is a generic brand, grab it. Almost all items are the same whether it comes down to food or toilet paper. There is no need to find the most authentic alfredo sauce when GreatValue can get the job done.

-Sarah Hasnain