College and Finance

A Response to 9 Survival Tips for College Freshman

I was doing some research for another article when I came across a post on eyeRmonkey called 9 Survival Tips for College Freshman. It’s full of great advice for any first year student. I’ve decided to expand on those points and add some of my own insight.

1. The first week defines the rest of the year - When it comes to dorm/hall dynamics, this is probably true. I wonder encourage any freshman to try to follow the advice in the article: talk to as many people as possible, and try to do things as a group. The fact is, though, that not everyone has the personality type that lends itself to this kind of behavior. And that’s fine. If that’s not really your style, don’t worry. You’re not going to ruin your freshman year by being a little shy during the first week. Plenty of more-reserved people go off to college and have a great time.

So, if you can follow the advice in the article, go ahead and do it. If that’s not you, it’s not a big deal.

Most importantly, keep in mind that the first week really doesn’t define the year. Plenty of students are scared and sad (and shocked) during the first week of school. By the third week, they’re having a great time.

2. Organize Study Groups - Study groups can be very helpful, if you really take advantage of them and work productively. I’ve found them especially helpful in showing me what I still need to learn for tests, papers, and assignments. There should be a caveat with this tip, however. A lot of people, including myself, do not work productively in groups. We use study groups to procrastinate with our friends instead of doing our work. It’s fun, but it’s not the best idea when you have a big test or paper.

3. Study for Tests - This should be obvious. If you’re not studying for any of your tests, what are you doing in college?

I would like to add that it’s very helpful to start studying early for your tests. In fact, you’ll retain a lot more information if you review your notes each day after class and take some time at the end of each week to go over what you learned. When test time comes around, this helpful tip is going to save you a lot of time and a lot of stress.

4. Get Involved - This is essential. Getting involved in something—anything, really—will definitely increase the quality of your college experience and ease the transition into college life. The easiest way to get involved is to do something you already enjoy or are passionate about. If you love sports, join an intramural team (or even two). If you’re passionate about conservation or the environment, join a group that advocates recycling or environmental protection. Even at a small school, there will probably be a group for whatever you want to do. And if there isn’t one, start it.

5. Always Check Your Work - This is an easy and important way to improve the quality of your work AND boost your GPA. You should be doing this on all your assignments: quizzes, tests, papers, research, etc. I should add that this is especially important for writing-intensive courses, where an error-free paper can inspire confidence in your work in the mind of the professor. This confidence can mean the difference between an A and a B at the end of the term. On the other hand, a few typographical errors or missed words can distract from an otherwise solid piece of writing.

It may help to have a friend, classmate, or faculty mentor read over your work before you turn it in. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can make a huge difference. It also helps to give yourself some time (a matter of days, if possible) between when you finish a draft and when you read over it again. You’ll have more patience for the process, and you’ll be able to catch errors that you would’ve missed before when the work was so fresh in your mind.

6. If you don’t like your roommate, switch - Agreed. If you don’t like your roommate, you are just going to be suffering every time you go back to the place that is your “home” on campus. It’s not worth it just to avoid appearing rude. Make the switch.

7. Go to sporting events - Like most things in life, you get out of sporting events what you put in. So grab a friend and bring along all the enthusiasm you can comfortably muster. You may be surprised at what a good time you can have. (Trust me, I know from very recent personal experience.) If your friends don’t want to go, offer to buy them pizza, and if bribery doesn’t work, you can always go by yourself. Games are great place to meet new people because the energy level is so high.

8. Figure out housing for the next year - Start early, and have a back up plan. A lot of my friends have made great housing plans only to see them fall through at the last minute. You can avoid a lot of stress by considering a back up plan, just in case your main housing plan doesn’t work.

9. Don’t buy books until you need them - I absolutely agree. If you follow this advice, you are going to save yourself hundreds of dollars. And if you care about money at all, you should always be buying used books when they are available. Shop online for the best prices (I would recommend Half.com and Amazon, though there are many other great sites) and avoid the university bookstore. On-campus bookstores are going to be charging more for the same books than any other vendor.

10. Relax - If you can only pick one piece of advice from this whole page, this is it. Just relax. The most miserable people in college are the ones taking everything (especially themselves) too seriously. Remember, there is a reason so many people say that college is the best years of your life. If you can relax and just go with the experience, you will find out why.

So there are my tips. If any of you reading this are freshmen, cherish this moment. It is such an exciting time. It won’t always be easy, and in fact for most of you it will sometimes be tough. But it is also great, and I, personally, wish I could be in your place.

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September 03 2007 | College Advice and College Fun and Housing | 1 Comment »

To Live On Campus or Off Campus, That is the Question

I recently had a decision to make about on campus living. I’d lived on campus for two years. The first year, I was just a student. The next year, I was an RA (Resident Advisor), which meant that my room and board were paid for as a part of my job. There will always be debate in families concerning students who have the option to either live on campus, off-campus, or stay at home. The decision varies from family to family, depending on preference. However, college finances should always be considered.

On Campus Living

The college experience changes from university to university. However, I know that most students really enjoy living on campus (for a variety of reasons that their parents may not like to hear). Unfortunately, living on campus is expensive! Dormitories (or Residence Halls), can be quite expensive and in most cases cost just as much, if not more than the tuition to the University. Not only that, but also many universities have meal plans that students must pay for in order to eat. Add in the cost of other necessities (such as toiletries) and living on campus can put a serious dent in anyone’s wallet. To many people, the experience of living on campus is priceless, and the friendships that form throughout the course of a year on campus are long lasting. There is also a certain stability available with on campus living (no angry landlords to deal with). Although the cost may be slightly higher, convenience and experience can be enough to drive people to live in the dorms.

Make sure you or you’re child take the time to analyze the housing options. Many campuses have different costs for different types of dorms. While having air conditioning and a ton of space is great, don’t be afraid to save money and go with the more affordable housing that lacks air conditioning and has students packed into rooms like prisoners. Consider where a majority of the student’s classes will be taken. If you or your child is at an extremely large university, whole departments can be on different sides of campus. If one is studying engineering, it wouldn’t make much sense to live close to the humanities buildings. Also, consider the learning environments. Many colleges have specific residence halls designated for certain types of majors, freshman, sophomores, etc. Living with people who have similar interests, backgrounds, or work ethics can be very beneficial. For more information, be sure to consult the housing web sites or booklets offered by your University.

Off Campus Living

Campus is great, but often times, come junior and senior year, students get tired of living with freshman and dealing with their RAs. They can also get tired of paying the expensive housing fees that many universities hand out. For this type of person, off campus living is a viable option. The truth is, that living off campus can save you or your child a significant amount of money. It has to be done right, but it can be done.

Again, doing research is paramount when considering off campus options. Consider proximity to campus. How will you get to class each day? Can you walk or take a bike? Can you take a bus? Will you need a car or a parking pass? How much will gas cost? These types of questions must all be considered. Next, consider roommates. The fact remains that, while everyone has the story of the hellish roommate, having one can greatly reduce costs. If rent is $500 a month for one, it’s only $250 a month for two. Using my college math skills, I determined that $250 is less than $500, so I would certainly be willing to put up with some dirty socks on the floor or some roommates troublesome girlfriend in order to save thousands of dollars yearly. Keep in mind, that when living off campus, bills will be different. Be sure to ask the tough questions concerning utilities. Take the time to understand the terms of the lease. Think about food. Many people are surprised with how much food can actually cost. On campus living is safe with all of the dining halls right there, and meal plans bought at the beginning of each semester or quarter. However, off campus, one actually has to cook things and consider those costs.

I have talked to people who love living off campus. They wouldn’t change it for the world. It is also a great step towards true independence. While living on campus is a great experience, it still has that safety net. Off campus living, if you miss a rent payment, you can get kicked out. Students can learn how to manage their monthly bills in a way that was previously impossible.

Lifestyle changes may also have to occur. When one could previously fall out of bed and make it to class in 5 minutes, that person must now consider the time it takes to get to class from the off campus location. If you rely on a bus, being late is no longer an option. No longer will an RA be banging on your door to quiet you down, you may just have to deal with the cops. In that same vein, no longer will an RA be able to bother your neighbors about their music, so if it’s thumping at 2AM on a Tuesday and you have a 9AM exam, you’ll have to deal with it yourself.

The last off-campus option is always to live at….home. Yes, I know it’s the nightmare of all college students to be stuck at home with their parents. Depending on families, this can be a great choice. Financially, it is the best out of everything, because you are avoiding housing costs altogether. Of course, if you go to school far away, this isn’t an option, but if you live in the same city, it should be considered. No matter what you decide, be sure to make the college experience your own and enjoy it. Parents, make sure to let your kids experience college as well. Consider finances, weigh the options, and I’m sure you’re decision will work out (and if it doesn’t, there’s always next year!).

June 05 2007 | Housing | No Comments »