10 Back-To-School Tips to get You Through Fall 2014
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Posted By: Hija Chang on September 07, 2014 FEATURED Content Written by Greg Smith, president and CEO of Privus Mobile As summer fades into fall and classes begin to pick up steam, it can seem like you are beginning to jump through hoops and perform on the balance beam. To make sure your semester is a perfect 10, take a look at these back-to-school tips: 1. Manage Your Money FREE is your new favorite word (and will be from now to eternity). The new found freedom of college also brings money management changes – such as paying for rent, entertainment and tuition. One way to make sure your bank account stays out of the red is to set up a budget. Mint.com allows you to set savings goals as well as organize and categorize your spending. For those who don’t want to use an Internet-based service, Excel provides budgeting templates that can be altered to fit your specific needs. 2. Safety First Being out on your own can be scary some times. Although you may feel safe walking by yourself on campus during the day, be sure to use the buddy system when walking at night. If a friend has been drinking, do not get into a car with them. Also, if you have been drinking, be sure to find a sober driver to take you home. Texting while driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Thirty eight states have laws that prohibit or restrict the use of cell phones, but people are still texting while driving. To resist the urge, use a caller ID app such as Privus Mobile’s that audibly announces who is texting or calling on Android phones the moment the text/call arrives. This allows you to decide whether to safely pull over and answer or ignore the call until arriving at the destination without having to take your eyes off of the road. 3. Schedule Your Time Time is one of your most important resources while in college. Use a calendar to schedule your classes, study times and work. Be sure to factor in time to be active and eat! If there is an upcoming test, do not wait until the last day to study – dedicate a few hours each day to review the material, ensuring you are prepared and well rested the day of the exam. Use calendar reminders on your phone so you never forget important dates. Websites like myedu.com are also good for scheduling classes for the next semester and for giving leads for jobs and internships. If you have a group project, websites like doodle.com allow each group member to put in his/her schedule, and the group can find a time to meet. 4. Eat Healthy Snacks The Freshman 15 is not a myth, and it only gets worse from there. While increased alcohol consumption and the all-you-can-eat pasta bar on campus are fun, it’s important to remember how these choices will affect you in post-grad life. Buy healthier options like fruits and vegetables you enjoy and place them in sandwich bags for quick and easy snacks throughout the day, perfect for running to classes and group meetings. 5. Get Involved Most colleges offer multiple organizations to become involved with such as intramurals, professional groups and cultural groups. Search through your college’s website to research these organizations and be on the lookout for any organizational fairs. The relationships built in these organizations will not only make your time in college more fun, they will also serve as a valuable network of people when you are searching for jobs. 6. Meet Your Professors Professors can appear intimidating. However, it is important to remember that professors are people, too, and most want to see their students succeed. Get to know your professors and visit during office hours. Their years of academia and knowledge of the workplace are valuable resources that you are paying for. Make sure you get your money’s worth. 7. Set Ground Rules for Roommates Everyone has had at least one bad roommate, but that does not mean they all have to be bad. Define expectations of cleaning duties, visitors and food before there is a chance for an argument to break out. Write up a contract that both parties agree to, and post it where both people can see it. If one person does not uphold their end of the deal, then appropriate consequences will occur based on the contract. 8. Apply for Scholarships Free money is the best money, and it is not just for college freshman. It takes some time to fill out an application, but the payoff can be abundant. Scholarships can be based on merit, income, ethnicity and gender. Do not limit yourself to scholarships provided by large businesses that thousands of students will be applying for; many local service organizations offer them as well. Take a look into your prospective career field for potential applications. Your parents’ place of business (or your place of business) may also include tuition reimbursement. Take advantage of this money while you can! 9. Go to Class While meeting your professors is important, listening to them during a lecture is even more important. There are things you learn in class that cannot be taught in a textbook. Allow yourself time to discover how you learn best – aurally, visually or kinesthetically. A combination of the three will allow you to absorb the information rather than only know it long enough for the test. 10. Stay Active Exercise relieves stress and helps boost energy. Staying active in your 20s increases the likelihood that you will stay active throughout the late years in your life. Exercise has also been shown to maintain your cognitive skills. Take a look into your college’s recreational center or a local gym for classes to join to make exercise fun. If you are feeling extra sporty, join intramural teams for added competition and socialization. College is a time to explore and discover new things. It is a big step into the “real world.” Allow yourself the opportunity to make the most of this experience and stick the landing. This article was contributed by Greg Smith, president and CEO of Privus Mobile, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accudata Technologies. Privus Mobile is available for Android at the Google Play Store and Privus Mobile’s website. Privus Mobile’s iPhone application, iPrivus, is available in the App Store. Privus Mobile, which is focused on providing the most comprehensive Caller ID service available, is headquartered in Allen, Texas. For more information, visit www.privusmobile.com. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Hija Chang
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
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