7 Off-the-grid tips for college
Practice Makes Perfect
Use college to practice being in the “real world” before being there. College gives you just the right amount of freedom to help you get adulting down pact. Arriving to class on time, despite how tired or boring it is, is practicing timeliness. Budgeting how much you can spend on fast food is important for the real world. Paying bills like your phone and utilities teaches you how to manage money. Use this time wisely, and it’ll pay off in the long run.
Build Your Credit
If you have loans, credit cards or bills in your name, pay these bills on time or at the least, communicate with the company to make sure no late fees or non-payment penalties are added to your accounts. It can save your credit in the long run. If you don’t understand how credit works, do yourself a favor and create a Credit Karma account. You’ll be light years ahead of your peers.
Manage Debt
Majority of college students take out at least one loan to help pay for college. It’s normal, but remember that loans are money that have to be paid back. It’s difficult being a recent graduate having to pay off debt. Only take out loans for what you need. No one wants to owe $50,000 if they can help it.
Learn Life Skills
During college, learn how to pay bills on time, schedule your own doctors’ appointments, open a checking and/or savings account in your name, get a part-time job, learn how to budget. Completing these tasks won’t always be easy, nor will they be perfect, but the truth is, by the time you graduate, you will be ready to take on the world independently and that’s a lot to be proud of.
Find & Narrow
Before getting into college, do some quick Google searches to see if your intended major is what you want to stick with. Even when you get to college, you may realize you want to switch your major again. And that’s fine. Just make sure that there are several job options for your major. Once you find that major, begin thinking about how you want to use that major and that will help you a lot when it’s time to search for jobs.
Save money now
If you can get a part-time job now or the summer before you leave for college, do it. Saving up for college now can help you pay expenses when going out with friends, going on road trips to other colleges and even paying for books.
Have fun. Be serious.
Majority of this article is about the serious side of college, but having fun is just as important. This is a time for you to get-to-know yourself, your likes, your dislikes and your expectations for yourself and others. Go on dates, go to parties, shop with friends. Having fun is just as important as being serious.
