You’re in your first year of college, and already you can see how much it costs just to attend. There are so many things you have to pay for, such as tuition and books. Your wallet may be feeling the crunch, but you don’t have to worry. Here are a few tips for the college student who wants to save money.
Keep up with your checking account to avoid wasting money on overdraft charges. Debit cards are easy to use, and unfortunately, that means it is also easy to spend more money than you actually have. Get into a schedule where you check your account online every few days so that this does not happen to you.
Hop on the bus. It may be just as quicker or quicker than driving. This will also save you the hassle of having to find a non existent parking spot in the full campus lot. You’ll also save on gas and parking passes. It’s environmentally friendly, too.
Once you start college, you should schedule an appointment with your adviser to set up a study plan. Your academic adviser will help you choose your classes, your activities and make plans for your future. Meet with your adviser on a regular basis to talk about your progress and make sure you stay on the right track.
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.
You should always try to purchase used textbooks. College textbook prices can leave you in shell shock sometimes. When you don’t have much left after tuition, you have to stick to a budget. Therefore, search for bookstores, both physical and online ones, that can provide used books. You can save an incredible amount of money by purchasing used books.
If possible, you should avoid scheduling classes one after the other. You are going to need breaks during the day. The best time for these breaks is after a class. This time will allow you to wind down, prepare for your next class or study if needed. Take these opportunities when you can.
Don’t ignore the importance of study breaks! While studying is critical, it is also critical that you don’t forget to take study breaks. For every 90 minutes of study time, take a 10-15 minute break. Use a timer to let you know when to relax and when to get back to work.
Know your limits – don’t overwhelm yourself with too many courses. It may seem like a great idea to take as many courses that you can, but if you take too many, you may fail a few in the process. This totally defeats the time saving you were trying to accomplish!
If you are just entering into college, be conservative when scheduling your courses. Never take on too many challenging courses in a single term, especially if you are holding down a job at the same time. They will overwhelm you. Select a couple that you know you will have difficulty with and fill out your schedule with a few easier choices.
Going to college part time is a good way to balance a busy life but keep in mind that going to college full time will make you eligible for more scholarships. Take the time to compare your options and consider talking to your employer about changing your schedule so you can go to school full time.
When you are in college, get virus protection on your laptop, as this is one of the most important tools that you will have during your stay. The last thing that you will want to have happened is to lose important information that you will need on the day of the test from a virus.
As you’ve already noticed, college can be a big drain on your funds. There are many costs that accumulate and it seems like they never end. The cost of getting your degree and living the college life can be easily decreased when you use the tips given in this article.