Learn about grants and scholarships that can help with your college costs. A variety of options will be available, even for things you can't imagine are real, like a left-handed scholarship! The nice thing about scholarships and grants is that they do not have to be repaid by you.
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.
If you are trying to make some extra money when you are away at school and do not want it to interfere with your studies you should check out work study. Most of the time you will be able to get a position within your area of study and you can actually learn something.
You can save some cash by not purchasing your school books until after class has started. You may find that you don't actually need the required books at all. That is particularly the case for classes online. If you pay attention to lectures and do your reading, you will do well.
College with enough toiletries
Be sure and stock yourself with enough toiletries before starting college. You'll go through these toiletries pretty fast through regular use. For the sake of economy, try to purchase in bulk.
When you enter college, try to reduce the amount of starches that you eat during your freshman year. Typically, you will put on a lot of weight in the initial stages of college, as this will help you to counter that. Try to incorporate a lot of fruits and vegetables into your diet.
One tip that can help you study in college is to make yourself flash cards when you have an exam coming up. Flash cards are easy to make. Your can buy inexpensive index cards and write questions on one side and answers on the other. You and a classmate can then use them to study together.
First day of college
When you enter your room on the first day of college, the best thing that you can do is to fraternize with your roommates. These are going to be the people that you spend the rest of the year with so it is very smart to make friends with them immediately.
A credit card is often necessary, particularly if you are going to school far away from home. However, be smart about your decision. Research your options and select a card that has a low interest rate. Also, make sure there aren't any annuals fees and don't be tempted by high credit limits. Those are just a recipe for disaster.
If money is tight, and your choice is to either take out a loan or leave school, the smart choice is always to get a loan. Even though this may put you in the lurch temporarily and add to your current burdens, if you have chosen your major wisely, it will increase your earning power. You should be able to pay your loan back with your increased earnings. Leaving school is a sure way to guarantee low earning power for life.
If you have never been to college, you don't know what kind of an adjustment it can be. Take the tips laid out here and use them to make you have an easier time with the transition. If you apply these tips to your life, you will find that your college life is a blast!