I’d say the two most important things about renting your first apartment are: 1.) don’t pay more rent than you can afford and 2.)read every word of your lease before you sign and ask questions if you don’t understand something. If you need two jobs to afford your place, while studying full time in college, the rent is too high. And before you become roomies with your BF and assume you’ll continue to live together – even if the relationship does not work out – consider how you’d feel when he brings home his new GF. Who will use your shampoo! And eat your yogurt!

Anyway, if you are still more than a year away from the actual rental decision, things may look very different when you are ready to sign the lease. So, just chill and it will all work out.