First, there was the great dorm room move-out adventure. After four years, I certainly compiled quite a handful of college collectibles such as princess tiaras, hot pink feather boas, and an unlimited number of Post-its in all shapes, sizes, and colors. This move-out consisted of me scrutinizing every little thing: “Am I really going to crack open this Literature Criticism and Theory book again?” and “Will this orange American Apparel dress look good outside of a strobe lighted dance floor?” Even though it was incredibly annoying and time-consuming to go through everything, I managed to clean up my entourage of trinkets and memorabilia (and I even managed to donate a lot to Goodwill!).

You know what happens after moving out though…You have to move in somewhere. So, I made the seven hour drive from Virginia to Georgia and moved into my mother’s new house. Did I mention she moved to a mountain in the middle of nowhere and lives off a dirt road now, instead of living just a short car ride away from metropolitan Atlanta? Oh yeah, but that’s a story for another day. Since my arrival, I have done nothing more than move my stuff in and, well, unpack those boxes I just spent hours taping up and carrying out.

This is all temporary though. The move-in here is just for one week before the grand adventure of driving across the United States commences (Google Trip Calculator is estimating 50 hours of driving time … OMG help?). Since I’m home, I have even more boxes of memories and junk from storage to go through. This packing-go-round is all about what to bring with me – at least for the next year – to California (or as I like to call it, Post-Grad Land). Turns out, I won’t be needing as much as I thought. Luckily, peacoats aren’t a main staple in the Southern California wardrobe, and I’m not going to be cracking open that literature criticism anthology after all.

And to think – I get to load up my car, move in, and then unpack again in the next few weeks! In all honesty, when I saw myself graduating, the scent of cardboard boxes and packaging tape did not come to mind, but I’m starting to feel like a professional at all this moving business. If all else fails, I can always start a moving business, right?

Although I am excited to have a more permanent existence in my life outside of college, all this ‘life in limbo’ is making me anxious, a little bit nervous, and well – tired. I’m ready to begin on my new adventure, and even though these boxes are going to be a part of the future, I still feel like the beginning of the journey has yet to truly start. But that’s going to change this weekend, when I actually get in the car and head out West.

[Every week, CC and John bring you some of the weirdest, funniest, saddest things he hears on his college campus. Join the Overheard revolution!Leave your own overheard convos in the comments or send ‘em over!]

(At a Starbucks.)

Girl: So this is the only gin joint in town, huh?

Barista: No. This is a Starbucks.

(Two guys on move-out day, carrying cases of beer.)

Guy 1: Man, we’re gonna fill up an entire recycling bin.

RA, poking head out of room: Excuse me?

Guy 2: No, don’t worry, it’s okay. These are full of urine.

(Guy, in a bookstore cafe.)

Guy: Agh, this isn’t iced coffee. This is … nice coffee. And by that I mean not-nice coffee.

(In a sociology class.)

Professor: I know I say all these bad things about corporations, but I’m telling you – I’m not a Communist!

(Two guys, in front of a computer.)

Guy 1: So wait, who gets out alive?

Guy 2: Well, not No-Legs. He’s probably screwed.

(Girl, leaving a party.)

Girl: Picking people up should be an Olympic sport. I’d be the equivalent of, like, a 13-year old Chinese gymnast.

(Two guys, at the gym.)

Guy 1: Okay. What should I do now?

Guy 2: Well, that depends. Where don’t you hurt yet?

Guy 1: My penis. I’m kidding. Well, not really.

(Guys in the hallway, one with a grocery bag.)

Guy 1: They’re doing a food collection in the lobby.

Guy 2: Oh, cool. Do they take mold?

(Two girls in front of a mirror.)

Girl 1: My chin is huge.

Girl 2: No, that’s just a bad angle. Turn a bit. You don’t even notice it!

Girl 1: You’re looking at the back of my head.

(Girl, walking down the street.)

Girl: Any homeless people around? I got extra teeth in my head!

(Three guys at a dance.)

Guy 1: Yo, check out the guy in the khakis and New Balance. That’s rough.

Guy 2: Yeah. Like, I don’t want to watch, but I have to, you know?

Guy 3: Mm, yup. That’s my little brother for you.

(A woman sitting in the corner booth of a diner.)

Woman:  I came home, and someone replaced all the squirrels in my yard with chipmunks! Overnight! They’re way cuter, I guess, but maybe I should call somebody.

I’m betting it’s more than you think. When you’re done reading this article, go take a peek in the back of your closet or the depths of your dresser drawers. It’s no secret: they’re filled with crap.

Everyone has junk they don’t need. One person’s trash might be another person’s treasure, but really, it’s probably just a piece of junk. So in honor of spring-cleaning time, here are some ideas for moving your junk out of your home and into someplace other than a landfill.

Thrift Stores:
Duh, we all know how awesome thrift stores are. If you have a few pieces in your closet that you don’t wear but can’t bear to part with, maybe you can give them the thrift-store treatment by finding accessories that go with them or using them to enhance other thrift-store finds (using a great fabric to sew patches onto jeans, for example). Or just donate your crap. It’s probably stylish to somebody.

Consignment Shops:
These stores are popping up all over the country right now thanks to the economy, and they are the perfect way to get rid of last season’s clothes (or the last five seasons if you haven’t cleaned that closet in awhile). Simply pull everything you no longer wear out of the closet, make sure it’s all clean and in good shape, then take it to the local consignment store and sell it! You can get anywhere from 35-50% of what they sell your stuff for, which is a great way to make room in your wardrobe for new duds….and the money to buy ‘em.

Stuff Swap:
I love this idea. Since you’re never the only one with a bunch of junk, call up all your friends and get them to gather their junk, too. Then have a free-for-all swap or barter arrangement where you can score sweet finds from people you already know. The more people you can get involved the better—you might even think about organizing this as an official event at your school. You and your friends could even hold a yard sale and collect cashola for the stuff you don’t use anymore. Which brings me to . . .

Sell It:
Why not make some cash from the stuff you don’t use anymore? Undercut the bookstore by selling your old textbooks to underclassmen, or put them on half.com. Write killer product descriptions for your gently used Steve Maddens with the killer heels (ouch) and set them up on eBay or Craigslist. In fact, get rid of tons of stuff -  from extra furniture to clothes you don’t wear – on Craigslist. You’d be surprised at the things people will buy if your prices are reasonable.

Re-purpose It:
This is one of my personal favorite options. If you’re crafty, save up bits of fabric and yarn and use them for gorgeous projects like the ones showcased every day on Etsy. If you can’t tell a spool of thread from a turkey leg, give your bits and pieces to your more talented friends who have been known to carry around duct-tape messenger bags and sew their own clothing. They’ll love you!

What other ideas do you guys have for pitching your stuff? Let’s hear ‘em!

Of course I am excited that I will no longer have to wake up 2 hours before my class to get onto 2 over-crowded and always-late buses to get to school. I will finally get to move out of my parents house and have what most people call the “real college experience.” I will, at last,  get to prove to my parents that I can survive away from home.

However, I can’t help but be consumed by thoughts about various things relating to this upcoming experience.

First, there’s the whole roommate situation. I’ve never lived out of my house, let alone in a small room with a stranger. Thankfully, my friend who is transferring to the same uni as I has agreed to be my roommate. But I’m still a little nervous. I’m not used to sharing my space with anyone and I’ve heard that it is unwise to be roomies with your friends, as you may end up hating each other in the end. Will I end up calling my mom in tears after a giant fight with her over using up the milk?

Then there’s the thing about making new friends all over again. When you enter a new school as a transfer student, I feel like it’s more difficult than entering as a freshman because people will already know each other. They will have their friends already and I’ll just be that weird new girl that no one knows.

And then there’s the downside of living on campus. At a commuter community college, it doesn’t really matter if you hate your lab partner or classmate because you just have to deal with them for about three hours a week. But when home is the same place as school, there is no getting away. What if I have to live on the same floor as that annoying classmate and see them all. the. time?

Then come the parties and night life. Living with my kinda strict parents means that I don’t get to party as often as I can, and I definitely cannot stumble in after 4am reeking of a brewery and leading some drunken stranger from the bar into my room. Will I be able to handle the freedom that comes with leaving my parents? Or will I end up being labeled the “crazy-always-drunk-transfer-girl?”

There is so much going through my mind right now and I’m really freaking out. Anyone got any tips? Anyone else dealing with the transfer blues?

Tonight’s episode of The City was all about celebrating the holidays with the people you love… by kicking them out of your apartment.

First Olivia gives Nevan the boot (kindly…or as kindly as she is able to communicate), and then Adam kicks Jay to the curb.

What a way to start the new year, eh?

And, speaking of new years, looks like Erin isn’t making any resolutions this time around. She seems to be perfectly content effing guys over left and right. The girl changes her mind about guys more often than I change the channel during an MTV commercial break. And those are long! I mean, my god, woman! She is the poster child for not missing something until it’s gone. Or for taking advantage of guys until she messes it up so much they dump her. Or for being a generally annoying person. You get the idea.

When she has something good (Duncan) she finds the need to go out and bring another (hotter) dude home. When that guy starts showing some attachment, she runs to the hills (of Toronto) and falls more in love with Duncan. But when Duncan asks her to be committed to only him she gets sad and confused and pushes the bearded man away once more only to spend her NYE single, clutching her phone, and getting pity kisses from her couple friends.

You brought this on yourself, Erin. And, frankly, I’m getting really sick of your flighty, I’m-so-stoned attitude. This is the real world; make some decisions and take responsibility for your actions!

And then there is the Allie/Adam/Jay sitch, which somehow all started over an intense game of Scrabble? I’m so confused. One minute Adam and Allie are discussing a killer 20 point word, the next minute Allie is asking for space and then somehow Jay gets booted from his apartment?

Did I miss something? How did Jay get pulled into this? Was it his Scrabble board?

All the drama fully boils over at the big New Year’s bash where Jay wears a sparkly vest (and looks smoking hot in a top hat) and Allie gets totally sh*tfaced, although I guess that’s what happens when you haven’t eaten since 2007.

Erin cries, Jay asks Whit if he can crash with her, and Adam and Allie make some lame ass toast to new beginnings. Yeah, we’ll see about that. I can’t wait to see what happens next week. Hopefully it involves Erin, her weird hair-accessories and an unfortanate mishap with a garbage truck.

Too harsh?

After first moving into my freshman dorm room that August, I anxiously awaited the arrival of my roommate, Mary (name changed). Finally, she walked in — leaving me with nervousness instead of anticipation. As I started to string my Hello Kitty lights next to my decorated bulletin boards, she started hanging her Hell Boy posters up next to her crucified scarecrow homemade ceramic creation. We were polar opposites (in an e-mail over the summer, she described herself as “stoic” while I replied with “enthusiastic” about myself). But I figured, college is a new experience and I wanted to soak it all in, so I told myself that Mary and I would work out, even if our outside appearances seemed at different ends of the college student spectrum.

But then my belongings started disappearing, and my food somehow made its way into her very own mini-fridge (we had 2 refrigerators for our room because she refused to e-mail me back throughout the summer about who was bringing what – a sign I should have paid attention to back then), and this ultimately started the downward spiral. Despite signing a roommate contract earlier in the semester, she disregarded nearly every single rule and when I called her out on it, she had no response. In fact, she didn’t really say much about anything, making our communication null and void.

One night in November of 2006, she snapped. I was doing my homework when Mary came into the room throwing her stuff down on her bed. Immediately, she started telling me, with a grin on her face, that she had thoughts of killing me and that she hated me. Repeating her thoughts over and over, I not only feared for myself, but for her because she never acted in that manner before, despite her quirkiness. Slowly marching around the room and ripping up paper after paper, Mary started to tear her stuff down while attempting to break a mirror over our rug. I thought I was a part of a college horror film, and I just started waiting for her to levitate off the bed like Regan in The Exorcist.

The next day, I followed protocol by making a report to my RA. Thanksgiving break came and went, and I didn’t hear anything from the Housing and Residence Life administration. After the night of Mary’s breakdown, the room was filled with nothing but a mixture of tension and nervousness. I wanted out. She wanted out. I complained about her. She complained about me. Finally going to talk to the head of housing myself (along with the Dean of Students), I expected immediate relief. Instead, I was pretty much slapped in the face.

Instead of help from the administration, they asked “What did you do to make her act like this?” Replying that I didn’t know that I had such control over someone’s behavior enough to put me in danger, the Head of Housing told me I was just a rude person and that if I could be more accommodating to Mary, we could work out our situation. Mary filed a report that she wanted a new room or roommate, and I followed up with the same report myself. How could it be just my fault when both parties involved wanted the same thing?

Finals came and went, leaving a fresh start in January 2007. It actually took the administration until the second week of January to finally deal with the situation, only after my parents became involved. In fact, once I got my parents involved (something that I think is outlandish considering I’m in college, and I should be able to handle things myself), one of the housing coordinators lied to my mom and said that the situation was already handled. It wasn’t. And then after she finally admitted to her bluff, only then did the administration agree that Mary would be moved out of the room immediately.

I thought her moving out would be a smooth process. But it wasn’t. It ended up being a major ordeal. While the Student Life Administration helped pack up Mary, the Dean of Students stopped by to make sure the situation was being handled appropriately, so it wasn’t stressful on Mary. While packing her up and leaving the room a mess for me to clean, the very administration that promised me as a prospective that everything would be handled respectfully no matter what the situation, was practically laughing in my face.

I was the one to blame. I was the one that made living together unbearable. Never mind Mary threatening to kill me and showing very strange behavior, it was my fault. And the administration was very clear about letting me know their opinion on this. That is when I realized that all students are not treated equally.

No student should EVER feel like a bad situation is their fault. Mary was a nice girl – we were just entirely too different, and that is okay. However, the school made it into a game of picking sides, which is unprofessional. No student should have to live with someone that could endanger their life. No student should deserve their administration doing everything except helping until the last possible moment.

If you are ever in a situation like this, demand immediately (the next day) to talk to the administration. Do not let the situation sit, even if the administration seems lackadaisical in their interest to help. And last but not least, get your parents involved or tell the administration you will because they have a harder time turning away parents than students.

Most of all, even if your rights are taken away, you have to know that you do have them and you need to demand them. Speak up, and don’t stop until you get what you want.

THE JAMIE-LYNN SPEARS BABY IS REAL!

Moving out–more than a Billy Joel song

Bartender, bartender, make me a match

LOL I always confuse a live bat in my bra for my cell

Greatest. Invention. Ever.

Whoa–MTV is involved with something beyond “The Hills”

A French Rapper might go to jail for his lyrics, yet we still allow Paris Hilton to sing

Old habits die hard…right, Mary-Kate?

How many calories does sex actually burn?

A-Rod sure does have a lot of lady friends…

We’re the dumbest generation, huh?

This picture is really, really awkward

A bachelor’s degree is a funny thing. Depending on your major, it’s either the equivalent of an extremely pricey receipt with a huge FINAL SALE stamp on it, sending you off to continue your studies, or it sends you to work. In either situation, the joys of the undergraduate lifestyle are mourned on almost a daily basis.

No more are the nights of frat parties and pregaming at seven A.M. for football games. The real world isn’t all bad, don’t get me wrong, but before you make that giant leap to becoming a legitimate person, take the time to consider what lies ahead.

1.) The phrase “I need” has likely lost its charm with your parents. Unless it’s food or some sort of medical emergency, they know damn well you’ll spend any extra money to supplement your happy hour four work nights a week. They also know you’re making money, and therefore, shouldn’t spend it if you don’t have it. This is never not depressing. You can only fake having to go to the doctor so many times before they realize you’re on your own insurance, and sadly, cute little dresses no longer qualify as “emergency” spending.

2.) Speaking of insurance, with a new job you typically qualify for life insurance. And who profits from your untimely death? Ironically enough, most likely, your parents. What a horrible juxtaposition of feelings, lamenting that you’re both too old and too young, and knowing that maybe after you’re gone, your parents will finally be able take that cruise around the Greek Isles.

3.) There’s no crying in the office. If you’re not happy with a class, you can drop it. If you’re not happy with your new hometown, you’re stuck until your lease is up and you find a new job. To build a resume will take you over six months with one employer, and actually, a year will give you more street cred…that is, actual credibility. Your happiness is much more in your hands here. Before you move, make sure you have a base of acquaintances or contacts to call on the off chance your coworkers aren’t as fun as you’d hoped.

4.) Holy sh*t. Bills are expensive. See “I need” statement above.

5.) Under no circumstances can you wear sweatpants in the office. Being tired or lazy doesn’t matter, and if you gained a few pounds, too damn bad. T here are no special privileges for being a chubscout.

However, the leggings/tights trend has made it much easier to go to work, be comfortable, and not show off that you’re suffering from one-size-too-small syndrome, but usually only if you’re in media or a relatively laid-back company. Bankers, traders, other suit-donning professionals, I extend my sympathies as I reach for another cookie.

6.) Credit cards…dear God, be careful. That little piece of plastic can make you sadder than you’ve ever known. I’ve seen it. Establishing credit is important, but do you really need to do that at Neiman’s, Bloomie’s, and Saks?

Pick a couple of your favorite retail haunts, then try for a major CC. Again, BE CAREFUL. It’s not free money. Interest is a bitch. Spend only what you know you can pay off. Set up a budget, whatever—just don’t consider this your ticket to a long weekend in South Beach whenever you feel like it.

You will cry once you realize what you’ve spent and that it’s your own fault. Mom and Dad will likely consider killing you and still be mad, because now your life insurance money will only pay off your debt.

While the transition’s not easy, it does get better. Accept the fact that just like getting that degree, it takes time, effort, and every so often, a round of cocktails…or several.

Just be careful with those work nights out!

Which makes for quite an expensive pile of trash. Add that to all your neighbors doing the same thing and you have yourself a nice little collection of goodies; a lot of it still in very good shape. Good enough, some argue, to take for themselves.

Who are those people? Well, the Freegans, of course. I was first introduced to Freegan culture while reading an article in the New York Times the other day. “Freegans are scavengers of the developed world, living off consumer waste in an effort to minimize their support of corporations and their impact on the planet, and to distance themselves from what they see as out-of-control consumerism.”

In other words, Freegans are price savvy people who decide to make another man’s trash their treasure.

And it is quite brilliant. According to the article, Freegans in New York City gather in front of the NYU dorms at the end of every school year and wait to cash in on trash the predominantly wealthy student body leaves behind. They have walked away with everything from old Yaffa blocks to working TVs and iPods.

The idea of sifting through someone else’s garbage seemed a little gross at first until I realized the possibilities. If any of the students are like me then they are throwing away perfectly good things that they just don’t want/need/care to take with them. If I have to jump into a pile of trash (or free merchandise depending how you look at it) to get a free iPod then so be it! I am a starving college graduate, damnit. I will do anything to save a dollar.

I just wish I had known about this back in my college days. It is never too late, though; I will definitely be joining those Ann Arbor Freegans when UofM get out next year. Dumpster, here I come!

So when I was told by my landlord that I needed to be out of my apartment by May 31st because of “renovations,” I was a little upset. To add insult to injury, the landlord also informed me that these “renovations,” which include but are not limited to things like granite countertops and slate flooring (things a college student really needs!), would cause my little studio’s rent to increase by $150.

Not. Cool. I had no choice but to move.

Despite my bitterness over being uprooted so suddenly and heartlessly, I tried not let the situation stress me out. The entire year, I had prided myself on living lightly, frugally — It seemed as if my only possessions were a frying pan, a laptop, and a rainbow assortment of tank tops. Moving, I thought, would be a cinch. Just throw everything into a box and haul ass.

Not so much. Even though my apartment looked sparsely chic, my crap managed to fill five huge boxes and three duffel bags. I was totally overwhelmed by how much stuff I had, and how much stuff I had that I didn’t even want. Like that Brita water filter I meant to use all the time. My dust buster (gift from grandma). The mini can of mace I just never got around to putting on my keychain.

Good news — apparently, my sentiments are common among college students living in dorms. Come move – out time, purportedly lazy (but more likely distressed) co – eds tend to leave behind valuables they simply can’t deal with. Many schools have started donating these items to charity or selling them in huge bazaars, and then donating the proceeds (Penn State raised $20,000 last year in a mock – yard sale).

Now you don’t have to feel so guilty about leaving behind that mini – fridge, or, on the flipside, you can buy someone’s discarded something for dirt cheap. With all the stuff I have, I know that’s a load off my mind.