Everyone is going to have a different college experience: some study until they have ulcers, some party hard and don't know where they are when they wake up, and some just easily cruise by without doing much. College is a time where most young adults get to experience the world for the very first time without their parents, but also get a slap in the face with reality when they run into things like tuition, parking, and loans.
My college years consisted of this: waking up at 3:00 AM to be at work by 3:45 AM (work was only 2 miles away). Worked till 8:00 AM, drove home, changed my clothes, grabbed my homework, got on my bike and rode to the campus (only 1 mile away). Depending on the day of the week, was in class till 3 or 4:00. After class, I biked home, grabbed dinner, checked email, did homework. At 6:30 PM, I was out the door and on my way to rehearsal for the latest play I was cast in because I was a theatre major. During times when I was not onstage I was doing more homework or studying for tests. By the time I got home, it was usually around 10:00 PM. I'd usually be in bed unless I still had homework to do.
So with a crazy schedule like that, I had to come up with some strategies to not only get everything done, but just plain survive. Every major will have different demands and requirements, so depending on what your field of study is, you'll need to adjust accordingly. However, there are certain tactics that do help, no matter what your major is. If you are a new student, take these tips to heart. They WILL help.
Lesson #1 I cannot emphasize this more: GET A DAY PLANNER.
A day planner will make your life so much simpler. It can be large, it can be pocket sized, it can be an app on your phone. I would suggest a notebook though because writing things in regards to typing often solidifies your notes much better. Don't use Google Calendar, as good as it is. That would be more suited for your breaks than school.
The reason why using a day planner does wonders is because you can keep track of your classes, study time, lab time, deadlines, holidays, work time, free time...keep track of it all. To some, this may seem like a no-brainer. To others, it's a concept that isn't often considered. Now, using one will probably make your life seem pretty full, but that's what college is all about: focus.
You make time for work, you make time for school, and you make time to do something outside of those two venues so you stay sane. When you can see that precious free time in your schedule, you can plan for something fun and/or spontaneous. But you need to know when and where you can take it. When you are able to organize your crazy schedule, it doesn't seem quite as crazy. It gives you an outline to follow so that you don't have to freak out over what comes next.
Lesson #2: Meal planning
Food is often another problem of students. Heard of the freshman 15? It's not a myth. However, it didn't happen to me (it happened after I got a full time job. Grrrr....) because I was physically active, and I planned for my meals. Without parents to cook for you, students have to resort to take out or making dinner. However, if you took a look at my schedule above, you'd wonder where anyone would have time to actually cook something. Well, I made it happen!
First, I had my schedule planned. Normally, I would have Saturdays and Sundays that I could make time to cook or put a meal together (Friday afternoons were sometimes an option too). What I would do is make a family sized recipe, such as low-calorie macaroni and cheese with ham, chicken and rice stir fry, deli sandwiches, chicken noodle soup, take-and-bake pizza...you get the idea. By making a family size for one person, you are set for at least 4-6 days. Most meals, if you use the right ingredients and pack them correctly, can last you up to 7 days without spoiling. If you pick healthier options, such as sandwiches with side salads, you can avoid the freshman 15. It saves you time, and it saves you cash.
Takeout every night can cost you more than $10 a day if you get a meal, drink, and leave a tip; and doing this 7 days a week can be well over $70 per week. Chicken noodle soup (if you're going homemade) can cost you only $20 for the ingredients if you shop at the right markets; and if you make a big enough pot's worth, you can have a 2 week's supply and put half in the freezer for the next week. Crock pot aka slow cookers can also get some really awesome stews going for you too! Granted, you may be sick of your meal after a few days, but you're saving a minimum of $50 there. Every buck counts in college.
Lesson #3: Napping
Never, ever underestimate the power of naps. You're probably going to be pulling all nighters downing gallons of coffee to finish that term paper or study for that mid-term. The fact is, you're going to lose sleep. But if you find out that one of your classes is cancelled and you need to catch up on that sleep, then do it!
Power naps of about 20-30 minutes even help. If you sleep over 2 hours, you'll usually wind up being drowsy for the rest of the day, so don't over-indulge. Trust me, if your brain doesn't function, you're only going to get frustrated, and it's difficult to concentrate when you're battling drowsiness and aggravation at the same time. Listen to your body, set an alarm, and take the nap when and where you need it.
Lesson #4: Parking and public transportation
If you are lucky enough, try to find a residence within 5 miles of the campus. College parking is a total ripoff. In California alone, a one day pass at a state university averages about $6. There are also never enough spaces unless you come extra early, and if you come too late you have to maneuver around the "no parking" streets until you find a space just barely able to hold you without hitting another vehicle or edging past the boundary line of a fire hydrant. The seasonal parking permits are also a ripoff. If you're commuting to get to school, then good for you, but always remember to come extra early to make sure you get a decent parking spot.
When living within a 5 mile radius of the campus, it's usually best to use public transportation. Most colleges, when you get the student ID and sticker/sleeve for the current semester, will offer you free usage of city and county buses; and if they are in your area, railways. You will still have to get up early and have to deal with the characters on the bus, but it saves cash and allows you a little extra time for sleep. There is also the physical option. I was lucky to live 1 mile from my college, so I could walk or ride my bike. I usually opted for the bike because it was quicker.
Bikes are very reliable and you can pretty much park them anywhere, plus you can usually ride them through the campus, and they save you on the gas from having to orbit the parking lot several times. Some colleges even have bike parking lots! Just make sure to invest in a decent lock, because some horrible people out there get a kick from stealing them. And, if you plan on riding your bike in the rain, make sure the bike has mudflaps and you have a slicker. It's pretty miserable to walk around on campus in wet jeans!
Lesson #5: Your Health
The movies will usually portray the college life with lots of parties with beer fountains and strangers making out (at the very least). Well, the people who indulge that stuff on a regular basis during the semester normally don't do well in college. It's a sad fact. Too much alcohol, drugs and partying can cause sleeping problems to start, then begin to take different physical affects based on your tolerance or lack thereof. It's best to avoid these things, especially when you're trying to focus. College is tough, and it only gets tougher if you throw substances into your body that won't do you any good except lose control. Hangovers and withdrawals can drain you both physically and mentally. And getting friendly with that cute guy or girl you just met? Give it some time. I kid you not when I tell you this: almost every case of mono happens in college. Know how I found that out? I got it that way.
In my defense, I got mono from my boyfriend, and he and I dated a while before we became serious. I had to visit the clinic on site to see what was wrong, and the doctor told me that most cases of mono happen for new college students. Which brings me to another topic: the clinic. In addition to mono, while I was in college, I also suffered from a pulled ligament, a double ear infection, bronchitis, and a relapse of asthma. Going to a private practice or local physician for these types of ailments and having to get medications afterward is detrimental to your wallet. Most students are aware of the on campus clinic, but many don't use it! Regular visits are usually for free, and if you need a prescription, the pharmacy usually provides them for a discounted price. If you're feeling sick, just check in at the clinic. That's what it's there for!
Lesson #6: Faking it
Before we continue: I only ever lied once to get out of a class workshop, but I never played hooky, and I only ever called in sick if I was too sick to ride the bus. It was very rare. This bullet is not about faking ailments to get out of class. This one is about BSing. When you're in college, you will need to adopt a lot of tactics to deal with your different professors. Not one of them teaches or grades the same way. You will need to focus on their styles, subjects that get repeated (that's a big sign that it'll wind up on an exam), and what resources your instructor tells you to use. One thing only ever seems to work with every professor: faking when you have to.
First off, never use Wikipedia unless a teacher tells you that they don't care if you do. Using it for references, however, is perfectly doable. Wikipedia always lists its references at the bottom of the page, and you can check those pages for the information you need. And never plagiarize. That's just tacky.
Another tactic that I developed came from an old Nickelodeon TV show called Roundhouse, a teen's sketch comedy show from the 90s. One particular sketch included a kid who is doing an ad for a book of made up words so long that "your teacher won't admit she doesn't know them." That book may not exist, but we do have access to the next best thing: the thesaurus! It's filled with plenty of multi-syllable words that have 12+ letters in them. The longer the word, the better. Just make sure that when you use them you space them out. Too many in one paragraph will totally expose you. If your paper is lacking, or you want to give it more pizzazz, just consult your friend the thesaurus. It will definitely help, and you'll probably get noted on creativity. I certainly got a few!
Lesson #7: Thrift and dollar stores
Odds are you're going to want a new wardrobe when you get into college, but clothes are so darn expensive these days! A good alternative is to find thrift stores in your area. Most of the time, these stores have the best prices around and clothes in all shapes and sizes. Some stores even hold great sales, making the already low prices cheaper! The downside is that if you find a cute outfit that isn't in your size, there probably isn't another in a different size. And never buy underwear from a thrift store, that's one amenity you should totally spend full price on!
Also make sure to locate any and all dollar stores in your area. Most people aren't aware of this, but dollar stores have the most basic items that most other stores overcharge you for. Items like dryer sheets, dish washing liquid, coffee filters, feather dusters, brooms, trash liners, and other such everyday items are there for a buck each! You can also purchase other cooking items like flour and sugar in small sizes if you're planning on baking in small portions.
Be also aware if the city you're in has any major factories, like Sara Lee or other baking companies. Sometimes they will have "baking thrift shops" where they will sell perfectly fine baked items that came out in the wrong amount, the wrong size, got squished, or other reason that wasn't unhygienic. You can save a ton of cash if one of these thrift stores are around.
Lesson #8: Roommates and living arrangements
There are 3 housing options for college: live with your parents, get into the dorms, or move in with someone. Dorm life is usually promoted as best, but that also adds to your tuition and makes it more expensive to live on campus. Granted, you can go home anytime, and don't have to worry about parking, but lack of privacy and, in some cases, space can be a pressure hazard when you're trying to study. You also have to move out immediately after finals, so you have to work out a schedule to study and pack.
Off campus housing can have the same problems, but you can often find better rental and utility rates when it's not part of the overcharging university system. Finding the right roommates is important too. Some campuses have off campus housing websites that you can use to find roommates or housing. Housing websites are also available, as well as Craigslist, but beware of scammers who try to guilt trip you into getting housing in two weeks while their "uncle" sends you a money order!
When you do find the optimal situation, make sure to take time to discuss with your roommate(s) how to contribute to the monthly utility bills, when rent is due, and who takes care of what chores. In my rooming experience, good roommates worked out a system where chores were divided evenly amongst everyone, and switched up every few months to make sure we didn't get bored doing the same ones over and over. Certain etiquette was enforced too, such as notifying the other roommate(s) if company was coming, what work hours would be if we had crazy early or late shifts, and if I had to ask another roommate to spot me on a utility bill because I was short.
Good repoir with your roommate(s) is essential to your mental and psychological health. If you have a bad relationship with anyone you're living with, do your best to make it work. Even if the problem is with the other roommate, keep trying. It doesn't always work out, but if you're making the effort, it's less of a burden on your shoulders.
Lesson #9: Scholarships and grants
This kind of story is rarely heard, which is why I'm telling it to you now: I made it through college on grants alone. I didn't do any loans, I didn't come from a rich family, and I didn't sell any internal organs. All I did was apply at FAFSA during tax season. I qualified for several thousand dollars worth of grants each year, and had enough cash left over for me after I graduated to use at a local junior college to take 2 classes that weren't offered at my university. Guys, if I can do it, SO CAN YOU!!!!!!
What was the trick besides filing every year? Keeping my grades up. All of the points I have made above kept my qualifications up to not only keep the cash in my pocket, but get me into several honors societies. It may seem like overachieving, but seriously guys, IT IS WORTH IT. So many students graduate owing tens of thousands of dollars after they toss that graduation cap into the air. I'm not one of those people! And you shouldn't be either!
If you don't qualify, talk to your department heads and school counselors. They are there to guide you in the right direction, so talk to them! If you don't qualify on FAFSA, they can tell you where else you can apply that is geared toward your field of study. Exercise every option you have available with student financial aid before taking out a loan. Loans are easy to get but difficult to get out of. Besides, you don't know if you'll find yourself homeless and couch hopping 2 years later and not be able to make your payments. Avoid that fate at all costs!
And finally, lesson #10: HAVE FUN!
As I've said before, the college experience is the first time a student is away from home. Instead of partying the whole time (a party here and there is fine, just don't overdo it), look into other social events! There are always clubs, communities and societies recruiting on the first week of school for new members. Go ahead and join one! Get involved with a multi-cultural group to learn more about your fellow students from other countries! Check out the movie nights! Support the arts and see a play on campus or visit a photography exhibit! Get involved in volunteer work!
There are so many options open to you, and the sky's the limit! Own your college experience and walk away with a diploma and a sense of accomplishment in everything that you did, regardless whether or not you have loans to pay off. Learn to be an individual and make the most of your time. This is the beginning of your life, so start it off right!
Good luck!
