I'm lost and seriously don't know what to do
 

I'm 20 (well will be 20 in August) i have a job ($12/hr) i'm a Pre-Nursing Major and will apply to Nursing school next spring and....really depressed. The kind of thoughts that go through my head sometimes scare me. Most of my depression all leads back to my parents. It's torture living with them, i've been isiolated, beaten, called names, my mom has said things to me a mother never should, and right now, i wanna move out...but i'm scared. I just don't know what do to. I don't know where to begin looking for roommates. I put up flyers at school asking for a roommate. It's been 5weeks now and no one has called. I feel like i'm not doing something right...maybe there's a better way to look for roommates i don't know. All i know is i gotta get out of here. I wanna be out by end of August. School starts end of September and i wanna be settled in by then. I have about $1,700 in the bank right now. I'm not sure if that'd be enough to move...i just....some advice will be really welcomed.

I went through Roommates.com when I was in college, I'm sure there are still some sites like that around... the ones that are legit and you go there in person. Try looking in the papers for people who are looking for roommates, take a friend and go check some out. Step outside your school location a bit and see if there are other people in your situation in your community.

You will need a deposit (usually a month's rent here) and the first month's rent to move in. Consider the costs of turning on utilities and deposits if you've never had them in your name before. Make out a budget of what you can afford, e.g. cable, internet, etc. Have an idea of this BEFORE you start looking around so you know what is within your means. Have some confidence about your desireablility as a roommate.

And good luck.

Your nursing school program - is it very large? I ask because in our program (not nursing, though) new students who need a roommate send e-mails with a request to our main office and it gets forwarded around to all of the current and future students. I know this practice is somewhat rare, but it might be worth asking about. If nothing else, the departmental secretary may be willing to share some handy tips for your transition.

Have you looked into housing options around the campus? Many rental agencies in college towns will pair roommates without any hassle, and will even charge each roommate separately so you won't encounter problems if your roommate turns out to be a flake.

A last note - if you haven't already, apply for financial aid through your school. Even if you think you aren't eligible, sometimes funding comes out of nowhere. You may find that you have a bit more money at your disposal than you first thought and could possibly live alone.

I think the room mate thing will happen and the above advice is very spot on. I'd only add don't let your current living situation lead you into a worse situation due to hast. You've given yourself until August, a very reasonable and reachable goal. I read your OP and what sticks out in my mind is "really depressed. The kind of thoughts that go through my head sometimes scare me." Are you currently seeing a professional regarding your depression? Depression is serious and should be dealt with as soon as possible. This place is great for kicking ideas around and getting decent advice. I think you'll find people here have pretty ears and, for the most part, have good advice to offer but when it comes to actual medical condition such as depression nothing is a substitute for professional help.

Please keep up posted on how things are going for you.

If you're getting beaten, and verbally abused, it's time to move the hell out, but you already know that. It can be hard to move away from your parents, no matter how necessary it may be. I don't have any specific advice on finding a good room mate, but encourage you to continue trying.

As you go through life, dont hang your head as a victim, but hold it high as a survivor. In your chosen carear I suspect you will meet many who are on the cusp - victim/survivor. I hope good comes of your own pain in early life - Hey ho, back to the housing. I am guesing you go to college and do your practicle in a hospital? If so, have you tried the hospital staff notice boards? There are often nurses looking for flat mates or the reverse on the board in our local hospital. You may find it hndy having someone a couple of years down the road in your carear to advise you sometimes, and they would be understanding of the hours and the pressures. I am sure there is someome nice there who would appreciate the extra help with bills - and I am guessing if you stick within the profession word would have gotten out in your community if a potential landlord/landlady was believed to be a nut job with a side line in flogging human organs.
Good luck in your new life.

Hi Chanelle

I'm so not qualified to give advice on this matter which is why, though I've followed this thread, I've not posted until now. However, I see your school starts end of September, and you've set the end of August as your moving 'date', and I'm wondering how you're getting along?

Best wishes