10 Tips for College Freshmen

Jesse | Aug 25, 2009

1. Invest in a good laptop/notebook. Trust me; it will save you lots of time/trouble/grief if and when your laptop breaks down. I suggest you get a good warranty, something that will last the duration of your degree. Choose a price range, find out what you need, and decide how long you plan on keeping said laptop. That will tell you your cost per month. Also, shop around before making your decision. I wouldn’t be too scared of sites like eBay. Just remember that if the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. My personal recommendation is to spend a bit extra and get a tablet for school work. They are great organizational tools.
2. Get a credit card. Most people tell you not to get a credit card. I disagree. You should always get one, but use with moderation. There are going to be certain things that you can only pay with a credit card. Having to use or ask to use your parent’s credit card is a big drag. It’s also a good idea to build your credit rating when you are young. As well, most companies now have credit cards with rewards like cash back. Take advantage of it, but make sure you pay your bills on time at the end of every month. Never use money you don’t have.
3. Buy your textbooks used whenever possible (make sure to check the edition!). You can ask upper year students where a good location is. When you are done, resell them. Avoid marking up the textbook if you plan on selling it. Some people like the extra notes, others hate it. A good idea would be to include a supplementary package when you are trying to sell your textbook. Stuff like old tests and quizzes with solutions or notes will help increase the value of your textbook over others. One of my best buys in first year was a text book that included a solutions manual and a set of scanned problem sets with solutions. It helped a lot with my own problem sets because I could see sample solutions of similar problems and some professors are lazy and will reuse old questions.
4. Look at what clubs and sports your school provides. See where you can volunteer around your school. Not only will this help you make friends and keep you busy (thus, less likely to slack off), but it will also help build your resume if you lack work experience. This was a big help for me when I was applying for summer internships.
5. Go to a library to study instead of your dorm room. There will be less distractions and opportunities for you to get side tracked. If you bring a laptop, don’t connect to the internet if you don’t have to. Some of my best work has been done in the solitude of a group study room. As a side note, libraries make good napping locations between classes.
6. Don’t buy a meal plan if you don’t have to. Besides the fact that cafeteria food sucks, making your own meals is a cheaper and healthier option. Stay away from vending machines and expensive coffee shops like Starbucks.
7. Plan in advance on what you want to bring to school. If you are living in a dormitory. Pack light. You have to remember that your living arrangements is only temporary. If you bring a lot to stuff with you, you will have to take them all with you when you leave. Try to look for sales whenever possible. You have 3 months of summer before school starts.
8. Get to know your classmates and make some new friends. They are great when you are having trouble in class. An extra head to bump ideas off of will help you in the long run.
9. Use public transportation whenever possible. Most schools have discount plans in place to save you money.
10. Finally, have FUN. College/university is supposed to be a positive experience. Loosen up every once in a while. You don’t have to study every night.