College Life Tips

Being a college student sort of sucks, and if you’ve even been broke you know that having just a little money makes you really, really miserable — you’re forced to eat ramen daily and hoping the unemployment check arrives soon and buying bread and milk with spare change and constantly complaining because you’re in poverty. You need to save and spend money on what’s important to you, learn how to find deals on college essentials. Here’s how:

Cars

There are plenty of merits to buying a new car; longevity perhaps being the most obvious. But as a college student, you probably don’t have the cash for a big down payment, much less the high credit score necessary for obtaining a lease. But you can still get a car in great condition if you’re willing to buy used. If you decide to buy used cars, look for a vehicle with lower mileage if at all possible. You will also want to get a Carfax report so that you’re aware of the vehicle’s accident history.

Furniture

Dorm residents don’t have to think about furniture beyond a futon and mini fridge, but those living off campus will have to deal with more extensive furnishing. It’s pointless to waste a lot of money on furniture you’ll probably toss when you graduate from college. Before you move into your apartment, ask recent grads if they’d be willing to sell or donate unwanted furniture. Craigslist is also a good place to check for furniture that’s inexpensive or even free.

Electronics

It might seem like you constantly need a new computer, phone and tablet, but if you do it right, you can still get relatively new gadgets without spending a fortune. Just take advantage of all the people who feel the need immediately to purchase new items. When they get rid of their fancy gadgets, you can swoop in for a good deal. Check out eBay, Craigslist and Amazon. A number of tech websites for used goods offer refurbished items in excellent quality. Keep the brand of the used item in mind, as some are considered more durable than others. Apple products are terrific in this regard, which could very well be why 51 percent of households own Apple electronics.

Textbooks

According to market research group Student Monitor, the average student spends $535 on textbooks yearly. Imagine how that cost could be reduced if students did a better job of finding used textbooks. These are available on sites such as Amazon Marketplace and eBay, as well as local used bookstores. You may also be able to score books for next to nothing from students who have already taken the courses on your schedule.

Is College Right For You? – Video

No matter where you live or which college you go to, college should be a great experience. Use the tips you’ve learned from this article to get the most out of your college experience a time to remember.

If you can’t afford college, consider the possibility of student loans. College can pay some good dividends later on, so it should be okay to acquire a little bit of debt for the future rewards.

Learn about the available grants and scholarships that can help you finance your college costs. Many students don’t bother learning about things that various scholarships have unique characteristics like being only for left-handed people. The nice thing about scholarships and your state also offer many grants is that they do not have to be paid back.

Figure out how long walking will need to make it each class to the next and plan accordingly. Also indicate other important places that you will be using a lot and mark them on your map.

Focus on getting good grades, and take part in those activities that are manageable with your work load.

Visit the college’s admissions office prior to deciding to attend a college. You can find out about scholarships are available. Lots of institutions offer students with scholarships.Visiting with admissions offer allows you get all of the available funding options you have when it comes to paying for college.

Take the time to meet your professors.

You should always purchase used textbooks. The cost of new books is very high. If college is already costing you an arm and a leg, you’re probably wishing to save a few dollars. Shop your university’s bookstore or online retailers and brick and mortar stores that have used books.

You can save some cash by buying them only when your school books until after class starts. You might not even need all of the books that are required for a given class. This happens often true for hybrid or online schooling.You can often gather all of the information you need by following online resources and paying attention in your lectures.

Professors are the ultimate resource and can do a lot to help to offer students. Ask questions and offer to help when you need it.

Take quality notes while you are in addition to listening to lectures. Taking the notes is a great way to keep information in your mind as you take it in. This also makes it easier to get the information before a test.

Don’t depend on your high school reputation. Most of the people you come in contact with will not be impressed by your accolades from high school.

It matters not where you live, how old you are or whether you already have college experience. Nothing in the world can compare to the knowledge and preparation gained via college courses. Regardless of whether you major in law or art history, you can learn from the tips in this article. Try the tips laid out here and you are going to be even closer to a happy, healthy college life.