News

Editorial: College 101

By Heather Milbrath

08/14/2012

Well as harvest is in full swing and football and volleyball practices are beginning, it must mean that it’s back to school time. That time when most students excitedly gear up for another big year.

During my first year of college I picked up a few tips for those young adults heading off for their first year.

1) Carpool. You’ll probably be loading up three weeks worth of laundry when you go home the first couple times, but it is still a great idea to carpool with friends. If you can find a group from your home town that you could switch off with on those weekends when you do go home, it can end up saving you lots of money. Even those times when you are the driver, it is nice to have someone riding along with you.

2) Managing money. No one wants to be that guy. The one who makes everyone else wait at the checkout line because you want to pay exactly $10.79.  However, paying that exact change can actually help save you some money down the road, even if it is just a few dollars.

Also, learn when to say no. You don’t have to go out to eat, or to a movie with your friends several times a week. It’s a good idea to set a spending limit for yourself each week, balancing gas, food, other needs and then money for your “fun” activities.

3) Go to class. This may sound like common-sense, but when you’re in college the teachers don’t take attendance. It will be much more tempting to keep watching TV instead of listening to your two-hour chemistry lecture, but it’s not worth it. Remember that in college you are paying for every credit, and paying a good chunk of change for it too, so it’s best to get as much out each class as you can.

4) Roommate issues. If you are like me, you didn’t always get along with your siblings when you all lived under one roof. I have noticed that when people live together, tensions become that much higher because every little thing they do can bother you. Even if you are moving in with your best friend, there will probably be issues between the two of you. My advice is when you do have issues with your roommate, talk to them about it right away. Unless it’s just a minor problem, it probably won’t be resolved by you venting to your friends about it.

5) Ask for help. College can be kind of scary: new places, new people, a new school environment, and that can make a person feel like they can’t find help. This however is not true. Even if you go to a big university, your professors are still willing to help you. Don’t be afraid to contact your professors, or your advisors, because even in college they want you to do well.

6) Don’t forget to call home. Although you will be very busy figuring out what to do with all your new found freedom, your parents may not be quite as preoccupied. You don’t have to call them after every class, but at least so they know you’re still going to school.

And lastly: 7)  Have fun. This one is pretty simple.