How to survive moving home after uni

So you've graduated - great stuff, the rest of your life starts here and all that. But unless you've managed to land yourself an amazingly well-paid job straight out of uni, you'll probably be moving back to mum and dad's. Now this is going to be a challenge, and maybe somewhat surprisingly, not just for you...

Why not show this to mum and dad, see if they agree.

You

Moving away for uni is a great life-experience; no doubt you've matured immensely - you can now make a mean beans on toast, you can clean up after yourself (we bet your uni digs were just gleaming) and maybe even slip the iron over the odd thing.

However, you went away a messy teen and your parents may not believe you've changed your slovenly ways, so make sure you take all your newly learned skills back home with you. Help your mum out with the cleaning and, at the very least, keep your own room clean. Your parents won't appreciate not being able to find a coffee cup in the mornings if they're all festering under your bed.

Job-hunting can be a pain when you're newly graduated, and getting back into the swing of 9-5 life can be pretty unappealing. Your parents will be far happier to support you financially, perhaps won't even charge you board, if they can see you are trying to get a job. So make sure you visit a few job sites in between Netflix marathons.

Try and get up before lunchtime...

Parents

You may not be relishing the fact your spare room is now being occupied again, but admit it; you're delighted to have your child home. And yes, it's OK to secretly hope it's only for a short while.

Your son or daughter will have grown used to having total freedom at their uni home, with no one telling them to clean up after themselves or to turn the music down.

Give them the benefit of the doubt when they first arrive home - they will have matured and will hopefully be just as keen as you to live in harmony. However, if you see the slobbish teen re-emerging, set ground rules - tell them what you expect from them.

If you're letting them live rent-free, ask them to do the dishes after you've cooked or help out with the cleaning in lieu of board and lodge. Or you could ask them to contribute to the weekly grocery shop or give petrol money, if they're using your car as well.

It all comes down to a little empathy. Imagine if you had to move back in with your parents...

They may only be back for a short while before they're off again, so make the most the time.