A friend of Kiwi Movers just finished her PhD in neuroscience. Over the last seven years, she’s spent — quite literally — thousands of hours in the lab researching and trying to understand how and why degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s, occur in the human brain. She’s also spoken at conferences across the world, been invited to study in California, and won a good few awards to boot.
The trouble is, though, she’s had to move back home between jobs. This all seems fine on paper (hey, most of us have been there) but things have been a little… odd at home. Sure, she’s an award-winning scientist — an expert in her field — but that doesn’t mean her parents treat her any differently than when she was 16-years old and ardently convinced Panic! At The Disco was a legitimate musical choice.
We have a lot of sympathy for this friend. But if her Whatsapp messages can taught us anything, it’s that you need a survival guide if you move back home after university.
Don’t get too comfy living with parents
Getting into a routine is crucial when you start living with your parents again.
When you first move back, all those wonderful home comforts — like a full fridge and endless reruns from Sky TV — might make you wonder why you even left in the first place. But don’t let the call of contentment lure you into a new routine. You’ve been surviving by yourself for years (probably). And you don’t need your parents thinking nothing has changed
I’m not going to say go out and find a job. The last thing you need is all that noise from an anonymous blog on the internet. Instead, if you’re looking to get out the house, find some volunteering opportunities nearby. Walk your neighbour’s dog. Scout out your local library and get some time to think, read, and scour the internet for your next big step.
It’ll help you in the long run.
Do your own washing and stuff
This might seem like cruel advice. Surely it’s one of the best perks of living with parents?
That’s what this friend thought too. But once her mum start doing her laundry, then it caused an array of uncomfortable conversations to follow shortly after:
“If I’m going to do your washing, [Friend], then you can drive me to the shops.”
“[Friend], how much do you actually spend on clothing?”
“[Friend], why does anyone need this kind of underwear?”
You get the idea. Maybe your parents are a bit more chill. However, if you want to maintain independence and keep things on your terms, then it’s a good idea to do your own chores. Think of it this way: once you do move out again (and it will happen, we promise and never forget, we’re here to help, check out our man and van service for smaller moves) it’ll be easier to settle into solo life again.
Keep in contact with your friends. A lot
Something weird happens once you leave university, and no-one really warns you about it.
When you’re studying, you see your friends all the time — even if it’s just sitting in the library and making a secret pact to never let dissertations ruin your life like this ever again. Then you graduate, go home, and suddenly your social life gets a lot slimmer.
It can come as a bit of a shock at first. But if you want to make living with your parents easier, then it’s important to keep in close contact with your friends. Check on each other and make plans to do something together soon. It’s one of the best ways to remind yourself that all this is temporary and you’ll be back in the warm embrace of Netflix and fructose cereal in no time.
If you have time, make plans before you leave university
Most of us forget about our flat deposit until we’re a few weeks away from moving out. Then suddenly you realise you’ve never really cleaned the bathroom and god know’s what’s behind the sofa.
Let’s be honest: you need all the funds you can get once you’ve graduated. So if you’re keen to secure that deposit, you could look into hiring a professional end of tenancy cleaning service.
It might seem like a bit of an extravagance, but it’s one of the best ways to make your flat look spic and span in preparation for inspections. Plus, any money you save can go directly into your moving-out pot for the next new months.
Do you have any advice for students living with parents this summer? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter and let us know!
