College can be a crazy place; parties, new friends, worthy causes and a lot of studying in between. Don’t be overwhelmed by it all! The following article will offer you some very valuable advice that can see you through these years and right up to graduation, so pay close attention!
A great skill that you should learn going into college is cooking. This is very important as it can help you to construct the types of meals that you desire and will also assist in saving money on eating out over time. Also, this skill can make you more valuable to your roommates.
Consider living on campus even if you go to school close to home. Not only will you miss a lot of things going on, but you may miss out on your first opportunity to live on your own and make your own financial and social decisions. If you can possibly afford it, live in a dorm.
Why are you attending college? It is important to answer this question for yourself. Are you in college just because it seems like the thing to do? Are you there to just have a college experience? Are you there to learn a specific subject. Carefully evaluate why it is you are attending college and prioritize.
Get the names and number from a few people in each class so that if you have to be absent then they can fill you in on what was covered in class and can share their notes with you and give you any work that was assigned so that you won’t get behind in your work.
If you are trying to make some extra money when you are away at school and do not want it to interfere with your studies you should check out work study. Most of the time you will be able to get a position within your area of study and you can actually learn something.
Purchase used books. Textbooks are generally quite costly. Tuition is also very expensive, so you’ll want to save money in any way possible. You need to search online and in bookstores for the used textbooks. Choosing used books can save you quite a bit.
Become a morning person. There is a lot of socializing in college, and if you are serious about your studying, that socializing can make it tough to concentrate in your dorm at night. Instead, try getting up bright and early before everyone else so that you can study in peace.
Don’t focus on your friends back home or a boyfriend or girlfriend in your home town. Chances are you will not stay together through four years of college and you will grow apart. Just enjoy college, meet new people, and feel lucky that you have the opportunity to get away from home to better yourself and branch out.
Take extra writing utensils with you to your tests. There is always a strong possibility that your pencil could break or that your pen could run out of ink while you’re doing your test. Having a backup writing utensil can help you continue your test without being distracted by having to sharpen a pencil or refill a pen.
Remember that you can always transfer. Sometimes college students feel stuck, and don’t like the school they have chosen. The good news is that you can always look elsewhere and go to a different school if you want to do so. There is no shame in doing that, and you may be happier elsewhere.
Keep a few things in your room or apartment that are healthy, cheap and easy to eat. This will significantly cut down on late-night fast food runs and will save you money as a result. Peanut butter, yogurt and bagels are all good choices. They also do not have as many calories as fried chicken or hamburgers.
Try to take advantage of the shuttle system that is on campus, which can help you get from place to place. This system can save you a lot of time and money if you are good with timing and can save your parents money on a car for you the first couple of years.
On the first couple of days of class, make sure that you personally introduce yourself to the professor during their office hours. This can go a long way in showing the professor that you are interested in the class, and will also help them to put a face to a name quicker.
Get to know people who are in the same situation that you are when it comes to attending college. When you surround yourself with those that want to succeed, you’ll be more likely to succeed too. Of course, you can still have fun and cut loose some of the time, but having friends that value their education will help you stay on track. The most successful students are able to strike a balance.
Never leave candles burning or your lights on when you are the last one out of your dorm. This can be an extreme fire hazard and can endanger all the people in your building. Purchase fake candles, as they can do the trick if you need extra light at night.
Many students take advantage of credit card offers while away at school, especially if they aren’t employed. Unfortunately, this just sets you up for massive debt and damaged credit. Even low introductory rates are just that–introductory. Fees and balances add up quickly, creating a dangerous situation. If you absolutely must have a credit card, stick with only one card.
Make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep. Try not to stay up too late, even if you are studying. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep at, roughly, the same time every night. Try to stick to a schedule. If your sleep patterns are too erratic, it could seriously hurt your performance in class.
