08/15/2014
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If you need to find off-campus housing, make sure to look for a place that is close to public transportation. It might seem easy to walk or ride your bike, but when you have a large project or are running late it is nice to have the option to get to campus quickly.
Carefully consider each purchase, big and small. If you are paying for tuition with student loans, paying them off should be your top priority. Don't waste your money on pizza, clothing and entertainment--at least not all of it. Sock away as much as possible to repay those loans. Otherwise, you will be swimming in even more debt by the time you graduate.
You should consider signing up for a work study program if you want to get some professional experience. Most work study programs will require you to alternate between taking classes and working as an intern. This is a good way to finance your education while gaining some professional experience and building a professional network.
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.
Buy your school books a couple weeks before the term begins. Spend an hour familiarizing yourself with each of your books. If you have access to your course syllabus, check it out and see where in the book your class will be starting. This way you can get a bit of a head start.
Set a budget before you enter your first semester for how much money you will be spending going out with friends, on food and on miscellaneous items. This will give you a better idea of the restrictions that you have so that you do not blow all of your money in the first few months.
Try to get involved in some kind of extracurricular activity. By playing intramural sports or getting involved in a club or performance group, you give yourself a chance to balance out the stress of spending hours on academics. Having a balance in your schedule can keep you feeling fresh and positive as you progress through the school year.
Don't forget to do your laundry. Laundry is notoriously thrown by the wayside by many college students. Not only that, many students devise their own ways of cleaning certain items and forgetting the others. Make sure to do your laundry, all of it, every week so that you are always looking and smelling fresh.
If your college's bookstore is not wanting to buy back your textbooks, consider looking online. The larger textbook companies are often looking for a wide variety of textbooks, and most are willing to pay for the shipping, even sending you the label so that the process is as easy as possible.
If you are concerned about your finances, keep track of everything you spend for two weeks. Write it all down in a notebook and then look over it to determine what most of your money is being spent on. This can help you to reprioritize if you need to. Do this periodically to make sure you remain vigilant about your finances.
Take the time to actually read through and study your text books. You spend lots of money to get them, so you should make sure you get your money's worth from them. You go a long way toward helping yourself pass your exams by reading your text books, because they are usually based on this material.
Schedule your study time. If you have a family or an active social life, having a plan is important. If you fail to plan, you also fail to live up to your responsibilities both at school and at home. Plan your study time and ask your family and friends to respect that time.
Read the course syllabus first thing. The syllabus will tell you when your instructor is available to answer questions and provide extra help. You will quickly see what will be expected of you in the course. The syllabus tells you what your instructor wants you to learn, and thus how to prepare for tests.
We are hoping that after reading this article you will be more prepared to face your college experience head on. These tips are tried and true and should help you get the most out of leaving home. Remember to stay positive and hopefully you will be the best you can be in college. Source: GoArticles.
© 2014 Trevon MoraiaThe views and opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect those of College Central Network, Inc. or its affiliates. Reference to any company, organization, product, or service does not constitute endorsement by College Central Network, Inc., its affiliates or associated companies. The information provided is not intended to replace the advice or guidance of your legal, financial, or medical professional.