“These are the best years of your life”
This phrase is typically used to describe High School or College. Which period you agree with is most often situational, and depends on individual experiences. For me, it was definitely College. It is when each becomes their own; breaks free from the confines of mother and father. You’ll be held a bit more responsible for every decision that you make, and everything that you do. It is a refreshing, enlightening experience but can also prove to be overwhelming for many. Here are some tips to give you a running start on your College experience.
1. Live on Campus your freshman year, or if this isn’t possible, close to Campus
Part of being in College is experiencing social interactions with other students. Every freshman is unsure about what they should do, where to find classes, how to sign up for classes and where to get the best fried food between classes. While every school provides an orientation before the first semester starts, there’s only one way to learn the ins and outs: Experience.
By staying in close proximity to the campus you will naturally be involved with the students, you’ll also hear all of the events and campus happenings first and from the source. If you’re undecided on a major (which most freshman to some extent, are) staying on campus allows you to meet students with varying majors and get insight on the types of classes that are required. If you stay in a Dorm, you will more than likely be in a building with other freshman; they’ll be looking to make friends and learn about the campus just like you.
I lived on campus my freshman year and during that time did a lot of complaining about room size, sharing bathrooms, and pre-selected roommates. But if I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t have chosen any other route. The friends I made are lifelong, the inside tips I learned are priceless, and the activities I participated in were far more vast. Living off campus my last three years, I looked back fondly on my dorm experience, and missed the interaction and involvement.
2. Budget
This sounds easy enough, right? But the truth is that most students aren’t used to worrying over money for toilet paper, toothpaste or even food. The parents/guardians typically took care of these basic necessities. Once on your own these “necessities” added up, can put a very large dent in your bank account. After watching the money dwindle slowly and realizing you don’t have much to show for it, it’s probably due to small things that you’re not used to purchasing all accumulating into a very large piece of your monetary pie.
Monitor you spending and document where all of your money is allotted. If you’re technically affluent and work better on the computer, try and use a quicken account. It provides pie charts and graphs illustrating the areas in which you spend most of your money. If you don’t have quicken and can’t afford to purchase it, here are some free alternatives to money managing software:
Ace Money Lite
A Few different options
If you work better in print, use the transaction record pad given to you with your checking account (if you don’t know what I’m talking, ask your banker.) And, if you don’t have a bank account try keeping track on paper or by using a simple Microsoft excel model.
3. Budget: Used Textbooks Online
When you begin your first semester you’ll probably feel inclined to do everything in the easiest, most common way possible. But, the benefit of knowing some tips and tricks allow you to avoid some common problems. Textbooks are very expensive and your school will probably offer used textbooks at their bookstore at a price far less than the brand new ones. But, you can obtain used textbooks at an ever lower price on many different websites.Half.ebay.com offers many discounted textbooks:
http://www.half.ebay.com/
4. Preparation: Technology
While attending College, there are some technological devices that you will find imperative, some that are beneficial, and a few that are fun to have. Every college student needs to own some type of computer & a printer. If you can’t afford one, they are usually available on the campus but it might be necessary to write papers, research, and study during many odd hours. If the library is not open 24 hours, you’re going to find yourself in a pretty big pickle during exam week. In addition, many college libraries are very crowded and might not have open computers for you to use.
A beneficial technological device to have is a “jump-drive.” A jump-drive just an external hard drive, meaning it can store documents on it from your computer (similar to a hard disk or CD.) It allows you to store any files you may need so that you can use them on another computer. They have varying storage capacities, and can range from $50-$200. For the average college student, the $50 hard drive will suffice.
A fun technological device for college students is an ipod or some other type of mp3 player. You can listen to it while walking to class, when your roommates are being too loud, while you’re studying or working out at the gym.
5. Preparation: Dorm Room/First apartment
If you’re moving on campus and living in the furnished dorms, there are some essentials, besides the obvious clothes, toothbrush, shampoo, you’ll need to pack along.
First of all, bring an extra set of sheets. If you happen to get them dirty beyond usability by spilling drinks, food, or beer, you’ll have to wait until there’s time to use the community washer/dryer to sleep.
A computer light is also necessary, in case your dorm mate needs to go to sleep, while you’re still trying to prepare for your upcoming test. Also, after spending a ridiculous amount of time studying, your eyes may require more light to focus on your books and/or notes.
Storage containers are helpful when attempting to cramp your clothes into the compact dorm room. There are many sizes and varieties available at Target or Wal-mart, and they also double as organizing utilities.
Filing systems are another necessary evil of living on your own. Don’t go out and purchase a 4 tiered filing cabinet; you can find very space saving filing folders composed of many sections that all fold in like an accordion. Check out any local Target or Wal-mart for this item.
If you’re moving into an unfurnished apartment your freshman year at college, you’ll need to find a way to get some cheap furniture. Many times family/friends will offer their old furniture, or know someone who no longer has use of theirs; get the word around that you’re looking for furniture. Also, a GREAT resource to find furniture is at Craig’s list. There’s even a FREE section on the site, for those who don’t want to deal with hassle of moving large items. To view the Craig’s list in your city, type in:
YOURCITYNAME.craigslist.org
For example: www.orlando.craigslist.org
6. Find Easy ways to make money
The truth is there are no EASY ways to make money. But, there are ways to bring in some extra cash for a trip to the movies, a night out with your friends or the random splurge for an ice cream sundae.
Associated Content is a relatively simple way to earn some extra dough. Research topics with high page views, AC topic requests and decide on some areas where you can offer significant advice and/or information. Submit just a few informative articles a week, and you could average $100+ per month just writing about what you know.
Craig’s list offers some part-time job opportunities in their employment section. Many of these are geared towards college students. Another way to utilize Craig’s list is to sell items using their free post section. Find items that are being thrown away or that nobody wants. Check out garage sales or browse neighborhoods for furniture waiting at the end of driveways for the garbage collector to pick up. Please see #5 for instructions on how to access your local Craig’s list.
If you need to job to pay the bills your first year in college, then it is best to apply at least 2 weeks to a month before the semester starts. During the first month of the semester it is difficult to find employment as every other student looking for a job at your school will be applying at this time as well.
7. Daily/Weekly planner
Even if you’ve never utilized an organization tool such as a planner or calendar, while in college it will become necessary. You’re not going to be on a set schedule so keeping track of times, locations and homework required for your classes will be much more confusing without the help of one of these tools.
8. Great set of comfy pajamas
You may need to stay up all night for a test, or spend all day in your dorm room writing a paper. You’ll want to have something comfortable to wear and not be embarrassed to wear around room-mates or dorm-mates.
9. Work-out clothes
If you didn’t play a sport in High School or never really felt the urge to work out, you should start preparing to do this before going to college. The School gym is a great place to meet other students and a way to keep yourself busy before you’ve acquired a set of good friends. Even if you tend to have a high metabolism and never felt the need to work out, your body will most likely not adjust to college living so gracefully.
They don’t call it the “Freshman Fifteen” for nothing. Women especially tend to gain weight as they get older, estimated 3-4 pounds per year without changing diet or exercise. This fact in addition to the typical college menu, which includes: pizza, ramen noodles, and candy will start to add up. It doesn’t sound like too much, but after your four years in college you could come out weighing 15-25 pounds heavier.
10. Great attitude, open mind
Depending on where you grew up and how you grew up, you may not be used to interacting with different types of individuals. Be prepared to encounter many people who probably don’t posses your values, morals, beliefs or attitudes. Keep an open mind and make the college experience a learned one not only through your classes, but through other differing perspectives.
