First time apartment advice?

Ok-- in about 1 year (summer of 09) I'll be moving to Wilmington, NC (about 4-5 hrs from where I currently live). This will be my first ever apartment and the first time being completely by myself (I still live with my mom and dad). Basically, I need any advice you can give, from moving out, to finding apartments, to what what to do when I actually find an apartment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also-- what's the deal with co-signers? Do you always need one for your first apartment? I'm 19 and I'll be 20 by the time I move out. I'm currently a nursing student and will have a job lined up before I even think about moving out. Will I still need a co-singer?