Stressing out!

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I am moving out of my home and into a school-owned townhouse in two weeks and I am very stressed out. I need so many more things than I did in a simple dorm room. More and more things keep popping into my head and I feel so overwhelmed that it is difficult for me to sort out my needs into a reasonable list. Anyone have any ideas for coping with something like this? Or better yet, does anyone have the time to make a list of things that I would typically need for a townhouse (furniture is supplied by the school, as are large appliances).

My advice would be to make sure (though slightly off-topic), in advance, that your school knows of your condition, and can supply you with, or help you find a therapist who understands Autism for you to talk to. That way, if things start to get too much or you're having trouble organising yourself, you have someone helpful to turn to. I had no idea I was Autistic until after I left university, and things would have been so much easier for me if I had known what the problem was back then.

As for a list of things you'll need aside from furniture and large appliances:

- Your favourite clothes, underwear, socks and a warm coat. Have enough clothes for a couple of weeks, if possible - practicalities such as laundry can go out of the window somewhat when studies and classes are hectic. Include a formal outfit if necessary, for interviews and dinners.

- Sports clothes and trainers.

- Two sets of nightclothes, and some slippers. A dressing gown, for going to and from the bathroom.
- Gloves, scarves, and a hat.
- A sturdy umbrella.
- A secure, sturdy rucksack or bag, for lectures and food shopping trips.
- A smaller shoulder-bag for simpler trips out, that can carry your purse, organiser and phone.

- A summer duvet, and a winter one, two pillows, two sets of bedding, and two fitted mattress sheets. Preferably easily washable, cotton ones. A warm blanket or comforter in case of particularly cold weather.

- Washing powder, and a clothes airer that is compact enough to keep in your room. A laundry basket, and enough coat hangers to keep your clothes tidy if they are not already provided.

- Your favourite toiletries, and a washbag or box to keep them in, for easy transport to and from the bathroom. Be sure to have a tooth-brush, tooth-paste, floss, shower-gel, shampoo, facial cleanser, a razor, deodorant, lip balm, and perhaps some dry shampoo in case of disorganisation. Also, nail scissors, tweezers, a hairbrush, and personal things that you use every day such as moisturiser, a favourite perfume, or hair-gel.

- Some illness remedies, in case of necessity - things like paracetamol, Lemsip, Vicks Vaporub, Strepsils, a hot water bottle, and a general first aid kit containing plasters, a bandage or two, safety pins, antiseptic liquid and cream, cotton wool balls, anti-allergy tablets, sanitary towels, condoms, and any prescription medicines you may need. Have separate box for these items, too.

- A couple of bowls, plates and a few cups. Two forks, two knives, two spoons and two teaspoons. Don't take too much crockery and cutlery - the more you have, the more will potentially wind up in a pile in the counter waiting to be washed.

- A good quality, non-stick pan, a pot for boiling pasta and rice, a sharp knife, a chopping board, a vegetable peeler, a roasting dish, a large, microwaveable mixing bowl, wooden spatulas and spoons, a spaghetti server, kitchen scissors, oven gloves, a colander, a cheese grater, tea towels, an apron, airtight plastic boxes for storing leftovers in the fridge. You might like to have a recipe book designed for students - it is useful to have quick, easy and economical recipes on hand.

- Go food shopping in advance, and bring some store-cupboard staples, like tinned beans, dried pasta, tinned tuna, olive oil, peanut butter, chocolate spread, rice, preferred herbs and spices, UHT milk, some fridge items like cheese and eggs, and if you have a freezer a good thing to do is buy some sliced bread to keep in it, which can be toasted slice by slice as required.

- Unless they are already provided or someone else is bringing them, bring a kettle, a toaster and an inexpensive microwave.

- You will also need washing-up liquid, a washing up sponge, tea-towels, bin-bags, and some washable micro-fibre cloths - such as E-Cloths - for cleaning and wiping down counters and appliances.

- Some under-bed storage boxes - these can be really useful for saving space and accessing things like toiletries, towels, stationery and clothes in an organised fashion. It is also good to have some over-door-hooks - they're really useful for hanging coats, towels and even wet sheets on to dry.

- The books you need for your course, and some favourite, comforting books to read in your spare time.

- Writing pads, pens, and files to store lecture notes and handouts in.

- A mobile phone with useful numbers saved to it in advance, such as the local doctor, dentist, a local taxi number, and the numbers for your school. Make sure you have a charger for it.

- A laptop, with internet access, and a USB memory stick. If the house has no television, you might like a portable one for your room - preferably with a DVD playing facility - and your favourite DVDs. If you like to have music available, an MP3 player, with all of your favourite music stored on it, a charger, and earphones.

- An organiser, such as a Filofax - I found it impossible to function productively unless I had my lectures, activities and the times at which I intended to do them written down in order. It's also invaluable for writing reminders in, keeping appointments and making notes of work that needs to be completed and handed in.

- A noticeboard, so that you can pin memos, letters and important documents up where you won't forget about them. Get a map of the local area to keep on it, in case it is needed.

- Your purse, with a collection of change - for phone boxes in emergencies, bus fares etc. - and a debit card for your current account. You may also like to go to your bank, organise a savings account and separate card for it, and deposit a sum of money in this savings account. Keep the card for the savings account in a secure place in your room. That way, if your purse is lost or stolen, you won't be left wanting after your lost card has been cancelled.

- If you have a rug, wall-hanging or collection of ornaments in your room at home, take them with you, so that you can put them up in your new room and feel immediately more at home.

- A personal alarm, to take with you when you go out at night. I feel a lot safer with one of these, knowing that I can't always judge social situations well enough to keep myself out of trouble.

- A small tool kit, a torch, matches and candles, and a penknife.

- I would recommend getting a lock for the door of your room, unless it already has one, or you are certain that you fully know and trust the people you are sharing with.

- Finally, what with all of the unpacking and stress, you probably won't feel like cooking - so take something quick to eat for that first night - a microwave meal, perhaps, or beans on toast.




I can't think of anything else right now - but I wish you the very best of luck, and hope it all goes wonderfully

xXx

Microwave, TV and DVD player. Helps a lot for me!

Basically security, the locks and so forth. And trust your gut instincts regarding this, rather than arbitray rules. Trust your gut.

And then the basic utilities.

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And really, once you have security and basic utilities, everything else is negotiable!

And then, if you happen to run across a really good book, say, four days before the move, that's just worth it's weight in gold! This is something that has worked for me, I think on at least two previous moves, a feeling of . . . yes, I have all these chores and tasks which I have to get done, and by their very nature won't be done imperfectly, but I have this really good book at the same time!