Do you want to make the most of your college experience and find yourself a better person with a nice career? Don’t you want to know as much as possible when entering such an important time in your life? Of course you do, so consider the following helpful information when setting sail for college.
If you need money for college, you should consider applying for federal financial aid and scholarships. Visit the FAFSA website and follow the application process to get access to federal funding or grants. If you are denied federal funding, apply for different scholarships related to the subject you want to study.
Student’s discounts are one of the best perks of college, especially if you need to save money. Check with your student resource center or ask an adviser for a list of perks. Many local restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores offer generous discounts when you present a student ID. This allows you to save money and show school pride.
You should seriously consider if having a car at college is the best idea. You may not find parking easily. Also, if you have a car on campus, you will have to pay for regular maintenance as well as insurance and gas.
It is important to choose your classes wisely. Try to avoid taking a lot of classes that you are going to have to devote a lot of time and attention to all at once. Instead, alternate these harder courses with easier ones to make your semester and college experience a much easier one.
If possible try to live for your first year in campus housing. By taking advantage of room and board you can give yourself more of a chance to focus on getting accustomed to the campus and community. Then in following years you will have a better idea of where you might prefer to live on your own.
Take time to study every day. It is easy to become distracted when attending college, but it’s possible to set aside some necessary study time. You need to spend at least a couple of hours a day to catch up on your studies and do some research. Even if you do not think you need to on that particular day, continue with your schedule. That will make it a habit.
Find out if your college or university has a tutoring center. Most colleges do offer these programs, often run by peer tutors. Seeking help from a fellow student can be a huge help in classes in which you struggle. Come to your sessions armed with specific questions to enable your tutor to make the most of your time.
Learn to budget. No matter where you get your money as a college student, you need to make sure your money lasts as long as you need it. Make a list of your expenses and think of how you can cut corners so that you can do what you need to do without going broke.
Develop a system with your roommate for studying. Decide on certain quiet times each day for your dorm room so that it can be used for studying completely. If you or your roommate know these times, you can make the conscious choice to stick around or leave the room.
Apply for an internship when you’re going to college. You can gain valuable real-world experience by interning and get a better feel for what your post-college career might be like. You could possibly get offered a job because of it. Check with your school’s office to find out how you can get an internship, and then do it!
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.
When studying for final exams, study with a partner. Making a date to study with a classmate will make it more likely for you to study hard. Furthermore, you can both motivate each other. Studying with a buddy will keep you on track and is the most effective method for achieving good grades.
Get plenty of sleep. It may be tempting to stay up all night “cramming” for exams, but this is not a good idea. It’s been proven that students who get the proper amount of sleep do better on exams. This is because they are more alert and attentive when taking tests.
Does the thoughts of leaving home scare you? Then consider taking a few online college courses to help build your confidence. There are also community colleges, which allow you to live home and commute to college. This will permit you to still have time with your family while getting an education.
Financial aid students can study abroad. It is a common myth that only affluent students can afford to study abroad. The truth is that students who are receiving full and partial financial aid also can study abroad. Talk to your financial aid and study abroad advisors. They can help you determine which study abroad program is right for you.
College isn’t easy, but it’s supposed to be a time in which you figure yourself out and find your path. This takes much preparation, and you have to approach this experience with a prepared plan of action. Keep the helpful advice you’ve just read in mind as you get started.
