How off-campus costs quickly crept up on me

We all know that apartment living in college means paying for rent, commuting to class and splitting the cost of utilities with roommates. But, what you didn't know was that:

- unlike your partially-furnished dorm room, you have to pay a handyman to set up a desk, bed or set of blinds

- kitchens and shared living space inevitably require even the most basic household supplies

- things regularly get stolen, necessitating a renters insurance policy