Family, distant or close, can sometimes make for a stressful visit. You're enjoying the freedom of living on your own, maybe swamped with homework from your Tallahassee Community College classes, and all of a sudden your family wants to visit? Of course you want to show off your awesome TCC apartment and show your relatives how you and your roommates roll in our state capital! Or, at least, you want to make it seem like your apartment life is normal. Here are some tips to show your parents how your apartment near TCC looks "all the time!"
First off, you are going to want to clean. I'm convinced parents have the sixth sense of always knowing the last time your floors were mopped or your carpets were vacuumed. For right now, let's start with the kitchen.
Obviously, keep the sink clean and dish-free. I would even suggest emptying the dishwasher to really impress them. Next, wipe down the counters! Any smudges or crumbs are sure to catch a parent's eye. If you plan on serving them a meal, you will want to prep the dining table accordingly. Most furnished apartments come with a dining table with room for at least four, which is perfect for a small group meal. Set out a nice tablecloth, use your best silverware, and enjoy your company!
The next thing we need to tackle is the living room. Whether your apartment came furnished or unfurnished, odds are you have a coffee table, television, and at least one couch or chair. Somehow, no matter how many times you and your roommates talk about it, your coffee table ends up being the second trash can here and there. The first thing you'll want to do is clear off all non-essentials; cups, wrappers, anything other than the TV remote and coasters have got to go. After the coffee table is wiped down, inspect the couches and chairs. I'm not saying you need to take cushions out or anything, unless it's really obvious your furniture needs a makeover, but I would highly suggest vacuuming the tops of the cushions along with the arm and back rests. Make it look snazzy! Lastly, mop or vacuum the floors as you see fit, and you are ready to go.
If you really want to impress your family during their visit, I suggest cooking so you can flex your kitchen skills. I know you just cleaned the place, but hey, it had to get dirty again some time. If you're like me and are a nuisance in the kitchen, don't fret! There are plenty of simple recipes for four-person meals you can find online and finish in minutes. If your TCC apartment includes a refrigerator, or you brought one yourself, you might already have enough ingredients inside for a filling family meal. If not, you can always take your relatives by the Tallahassee Farmers Market to shop local and get what you need!
Whatever the occasion, family visits can be unnecessarily stressful for students living away from home for the first time. However, if you follow the steps mentioned above, you should have nothing to worry about next time your relatives stop by to visit you at Tallahassee Community College!