Coming down from the high of graduating - what with the degree, the parties, and “earned” independence  - can be rough. To compound the effect, college grads are facing one of the toughest job markets in recent history. So many find themselves moving back in with (gulp) mom and dad.

Though a far cry from the rich social and academic environment college may have provided you, setting up shop with the folks has its merits. In addition to the quality family time you’ll catch up on after being away for the last 4 years, you stand to gain a great deal financially.

Here are four ground rules to follow in order to ensure your move home is a solid step forward in your adult life and not a regression to your high school days.
 
1. Establish a Workspace & Manage Your Time: Most parents (especially if they’re retired) and siblings, are going to love having you back around after college. But as much as you may want to hang out with them, you should set aside a distinct workspace, perhaps, your old high school desk.

Just as with people that work from home, like freelancers, dividing your residence between locations of business and recreation is a very important rule to establish in order to be productive. Additionally, your time must be managed well and regimented, whether you’re doing homework for grad school, take-home work from your job or basic job search activities. This may not be the easiest task with parents barging in or children running around the house screaming. Communicate with your family about hours of the day during which you’re working and you’re not to be disturbed.

2. Develop an Environment That Breeds Creativity: Even a former party animal must admit: the brilliant thing about college is the collaborative, academic environment surrounding you and the resources that were made available to you. It might be tempting to fall back into your old habits of local bar-hopping with high school friends, but that’s not going to get you the new job or promotion. Reach out to college buddies in the area, frequent the library, contact alumni, meet with older, working contacts of friends and family even if you’re not interested in the job.,It’s extremely important during any time in your career to cultivate professional relationships and stay motivated to do the work that you want to do.

3. Create a Budget and Financial Plan: Moving back in with your folks is a great place to establish a solid financial foundation beneath you. Expenses such as housing, food, laundry and the cost of utilities are probably covered. This means you only need pay for social expenses, perhaps a bar night or a date.

This is a great time to establish a budget; allocate some money for recreation, perhaps some for contributing to the house when you can or building a professional wardrobe. If you’ve got an income, research credit cards and responsibly establish a line of credit. Most importantly, begin setting aside money for the big move out of there. Establish a timeline and monitor your savings.

4. Be Mindful of the Household: You’re not on vacation and you’re not in college anymore. You’re going to have to accept the fact that your social life may take some hits while you get on your feet. Try not coming home at 4 a.m. after a night on the town, knocking over dishes and disturbing the family. A quick solution might be sleeping at a friend’s house once in a while. Also, contribute to the home. Offer to go grocery shopping and help with the chores. Maintaining a household is not an easy thing, especially with the added burden of another adult moving in (you!). Chores can also offer a break from the monotony of desk-work, allowing you some exercise, time with the family, or simply a way to feel productive if your job search isn’t going too well.

Are you a recent graduate or working professional who’s had to move back in with the family? Share your woeful tales or pearls of wisdom.