How to Handle Living at Home with Your Parents While Going to College (Quarantine Edition)

By: Sydney Henry ‘24

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who is not currently living their best (covid-free) life in Cali right now. I, similar to most of you, have been at home with my parents ever since quarantine started almost a year ago. It is really challenging sometimes because the only space that feels like mine is my room. But, staying within these 4 walls all day, everyday has made my irritation levels skyrocket and my social battery empty. So here are some ways you can deal with living at home with your parents until we can make it to sunny California.

1. TAKE YOURSELF OUTSIDE

*within moderation, making sure to take the necessary precautions*

Going outside at least once a day is essential to staying healthy. Staying inside 24/7, especially if the only space that is considered yours is your room, can make anyone go crazy. Adding school and any other (covid-free) extracurricular activities on top of that constant isolation can sometimes detach you from the outside world or how nice it feels to have fresh air touching your skin.

So you can:

• Go for a walk around the block or your neighborhood in between classes for a nice calm break. *Mask on of course*

• Go out for a drive with the windows down to absorb some fresh air. This one isn’t really for me right now because I don’t have a license, but I’m currently saving up for some lessons. You can make that a similar goal for you too.

• Go shopping! This one is my personal favorite because I love getting new things.

2. ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES

Part of becoming an adult is learning what you do and don’t want to share with your parents. They no longer control your entire life and having a sense of independence at home can make a hell of a difference. You can establish these boundaries by either having a formal sit down conversation with your parents and going over a list of what you do and don’t want them to know or you can inform them of certain things as they come up randomly.

If they respect and don’t cross those boundary lines, then they respect you. If not, you need to gain their respect, because that’s an important part of growing up and earning a sense of independence.

3. LEAN ON YOUR FRIENDS

Living at home for such a long period of time can be really lonely. That loneliness has had a part in the drainage of my social battery to the point where it’s very awkward for me when it comes to talking to people, especially if they are someone new. But, don’t be strayed away from contacting some old friends that you’re still cool with or being a little bit bold and making some new friends. It might be very intimidating and a little awkward at first, but trust and believe that it’s worth it.

I already have a previous post that talks about different ways to make friends. It is catered towards freshmen, but some of my tips can be applied to anyone.

4. GET TO KNOW YOURSELF

Having all of this “down time” away from a lot of people gives you the opportunity to get to know yourself again. We are often influenced by the people around us and get caught up in all the hype and conversations that come with being friends with so many people. But, how do you act, feel, or think when they aren’t around? Are you okay with being alone? How has quarantine changed you?

For me personally, I had to explore being comfortable with being alone and learning what causes my irritation levels to increase, especially when it comes to my parents. I also realized that integrating back into society, back into in-person school, and back into in-person interactions with my friends may be really difficult, but I’m willing to take on that challenge. 

Relearn all there is to know about you, so you can realize what you do like about yourself and what you think you should change about yourself.

5. KNOW THAT IT COULD BE WAY WORSE

Be grateful that you are able to live rent free and little to no additional money is spent on anything outside of rent. It is definitely easy to let the constant need to complain about everything take over, but try your best to hone in on the good that you have at home. If you really want to just take a break and daydream about what your life in Cali might look like, check out my previous post and try creating a vision board of what you want to do when you eventually get there.

*This doesn’t apply to those who live in a very toxic and/or abusive household. If you do, please consider applying for emergency housing for the betterment of your health*

All in all, soon enough we will be on campus and living life to the fullest. But until then try your best to stay sane and as always #FightOn!

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