Looking back now I can say, “boy did I live a relatively easy life”. Before moving for school some things that I took for granted were having a helicopter mom, a sane dad and grandparents that did almost everything for me (housework related). I had to clean my room, and make the occasional meal but my grandmother’s house was the place to be, rest her soul; laundry, cleaning and food was always provided and boy did I love her so much more whenever I got sick as my gran always had the remedy. But I was about to become a broke college student with no one to help out, MAJOR crash courses in surviving on my own were about to take place.
Here are some of my tips along with things I wished I knew before moving:

• Learn to cook at least five meals and one favorite because you do crave home cooking sometimes. Yeah I knew how to cook certain things but boy do I wish I knew more before I moved. I’d call my mom a whole lot less for recipes.
• Learn to do laundry and learn to iron. I was very fortunate that I came up in a house where my guardian owned a laundromat so I can iron better than my mom but not all of us can do it well or want to. (Thanks a bunch Mrs. Drayton)
• Learn to budget. Practice living frugally before you leave home, skip a party, skip fast food, save, save, save.
• Never be afraid to ask a question or seek information. Our cultures sometimes dictate how we view privacy. Just remember you’ll be in a new place and the more you ask the more acquainted you’ll become it is a whole lot faster than figuring it out on your own.
• Research the school and place where you will be going. This is a great opportunity to learn and embrace different cultures. Keep an open mind.
• Teach your parents or grandparents to use Whatsapp, Viber or some form of free communication so you can reach them or them you.
• Have at least one formal outfit in your closet. There are few events that calls for this but the thinking that you can run out and purchase one if needed is wrong. You may be told in class to dress semi-formal for the next class in the morning, you are broke, so what do you do then?
• Cost of living is way different especially if you are going from the Caribbean to the US.
• Females learn to do your own hair and guys learn to cut your own hair. Trust me when I say this will save you so much, not just in cash but in headaches as well.
• Make friends and the quickest way to do this outside of class I would say is to join a club. It’s not as cheesy as it may sound. I joined the international student club when I was in New York and not only did I meet people who are still my friends today but I got to go places I wouldn’t have been able to without them.
• Lastly, remember the environment can also be dictated by the society you are in and it will be very different even if its family you’re going to be living with. Things may get tensed at times but respect each other and their opinions. Keep focused on your end goal and you’ll make it out alive.

Ps. Hey guys!!! So sorry this post took so long to get here. I’ve been so busy studying and getting ready to move as I start a new school in less than two weeks. Like some of you guys I’m about to be that new international student in a new area yet again so I thought this would be quite fitting. Hope you enjoyed the read.