It is often said that a four year college degree is worth a million dollars. The lifetime difference in income between graduates and those with only high school education proves it. Given how much is on the line with your college education, it only makes sense to do your best, and the advice in this article can help you do just that.
Make healthy food choices. There is truth to the freshman 15. Try to remain aware of the foods you are consuming regularly. Fast food, pizza and alcohol can really add to your waistline. But fast food can quickly add up to extra pounds and extra money spent.
Try to fulfill no less than one general requirement class during the initial semester. If there is a class that you are not looking forward to that is required for your degree, take it early. That way, you won’t have to deal with it later when you are taking more enjoyable classes. Who wants to be the lone senior in a basic class overrun by freshmen?
Make certain that you have your FAFSA submitted very early in the year. This is the financial aid that is automatically given by the government. The earlier you apply, the more certain you are to receive your benefits. Sometimes, the finances can run out, especially at smaller educational institutions. Be prepared!
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 prioritize if you need to. Do this periodically to make sure you remain vigilant about your finances.
Every time you purchase something with cash, put your spare change into a jar and try not to touch it. Once the jar has filled up, count out the money and use it toward something you need, like books or living expenses. While it may be easier to use a coin-counting machine, try and refrain. You will wind up giving them too much of your hard-earned cash.
If you are going to be attending college soon and you value your privacy, you may be better off living off-campus. While living in a dorm is much cheaper than having an apartment, you are sacrificing your personal space. If money is an issue for you, search for a studio or one bedroom apartment.
Don’t take more than one writing course per term. Even though you may only have to complete 3 essays for the course, there is often a lot of required reading. You want to have enough time to complete the readings for every class, which will be difficult with more than 1 writing course.
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.
If you have any textbook’s leftover after a semester, decide what to do with them. Your dorm room space is probably precious. Some books are worth keeping for professional use. However, if you do sell, do so privately. You can find a better value for your textbooks if you sell it to an individual instead of selling it online or to your college bookstore. Just make sure to sell soon, as new editions will outdate your texts quickly.
Taking classes is important but you should also find some kind of activities you can do on campus. All colleges have a lot of clubs or teams you can join, but you could also volunteer for an association or even start your own club. You will be able to add this experience on your resume.
When you are studying for a test, it is important that you take a break once in awhile. Studying can take a toll on both your physical and mental health, especially if you do not allow yourself a breather now and then. Take a walk or watch some TV for a little while.
During your first couple of years in college, explore your education options. This is the time when you can find out what you are really interested in studying. If you try different types of classes, you may discover a subject that you really like to major in. Keep your options open and do not limit yourself.
As was stated earlier, a college education might cost thousands, but can mean up to a million more dollars over the course of your lifetime. Give yourself the best odds of pulling this off by applying all the wonderful ideas presented to you within this helpful article. Good luck in college!
