kerrybushpolls.com

When I entered college I quickly realized that there were many things I needed to know that mom and dad never taught me. I know thousands of other college students were (and are) in the same situation I was. While I'm certainly not your mother, I trust that the following information will be of great use to you.

I cannot cover everything a student needs to know before entering college in an article such as this one, but I will give an overview of a few important things including money management, finding financial aid, cooking, and time management.

Money Management:

These are my three tips for managing your money.

1- Create a budget. I know it's hard in the beginning but it will really reduce your stress. If you do not even know where to start, search the internet or ask your friends or parents to help you.

2- Never spend more than you make. If you are spending more money than you are earning you have two options: increase your income or decrease your expenses. There are loads of ways to decrease expenses, but you may need to get creative.

3- Pay your bills on time. Just do it. Don't get deeper in debt than you have to.

Finding Financial Assistance:

The most common way to obtain financial aid is through acquiring scholarships, grants, and loans. You can find scholarships at your college, on the internet, through clubs, businesses, and churches. Open your eyes to scholarships and you'll find that they are everywhere.

Most people get grants from the government. To do this, you are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fill out this application on the internet or in your financial aid office.

You have two options for student loans: Federal and private. The Stafford, Perkins, and Parent PLUS loans are a few examples of Federal loans. A private loan can be taken out through a financial institutions.

Cooking:

Contrary to popular belief, cooking doesn't have to be complicated. You can find an abundance of easy recipes in books that were written specifically for college students. You ought to consider acquiring one of these great books.

When you don't feel like getting out the recipe book all you need to do is assess the food you have, decide what items would taste good together, and toss them into a pot or frying pan. Most meals are meat based with vegetables and sometimes noodles or rice.

Managing Your Time:

Here are my tips for managing your time:

1. Prioritize- As long as you get the really important things done, nothing else matters.

2. Schedule- Each person needs an individual schedule that matches them. Figure out which one works best for you. Without a schedule the majority of college students end up loafing, being pulled away by friends or distracted by events and consequently, getting behind in their studies.

3. Follow your Schedule- When you are in class, BE in class. Don't dose off or text your friends. If your teacher is really boring, do your homework from another class. When it is time to study, study. Don't go to the library for an hour just to end up gazing out the window for forty five minutes. When it is time to relax (and you definitely need to take time to relax), relax. Do what you need to do when you need to do it.

NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact.