[header] How to transition from a dorm to off campus housing [title] Consider how you will pay rent, utilities, and living expenses. [step] Living off-campus will mean having to keep track of expenses you have not before. Even if your parents or other funding source will pay your way, you will likely need to get a sense of what living costs will be. 
Asking others who live off campus can be helpful. Items to research will likely include : [substeps] Rent: this will include (at least in many areas) a security deposit of first and perhaps last month's rent, plus the monthly rent.