Amelia Wilson

 I want to make this intro brief. So, for many of my readers, I know that second semester is starting or has already begun. Nevertheless, I wanted to promote these ideas/tips/tricks that I learned as a college freshman that I think will be beneficial to a TON of college students.

Click to view Best college tips I’ve learned after my first year

1. Group your classes if you can. You won’t want to go back to class if you have too much time between them.
2. Don’t schedule classes at 8am unless you have no other choice. You may have been able to survive early mornings through high school, but you’re an adult now and are responsible for getting yourself to class. 
3. Don’t schedule late classes. 
4. GO TO CLASS! You are paying for this.
5. Bring a reusable water bottle with you EVERYWHERE. All the time.
6. Keep a charger on you at all times.
7. Pack snacks or pack your lunch. If you don’t have a meal plan at school (say you’re living off campus) it will save you so much time and money to pack your lunch and pack snacks along side it. Even  if you’re on a meal plan, pack snacks. You will get hungry at some point.
8. Don’t wear your lanyard around your neck.
9. Set aside time for homework.
10. Speaking of homework, don’t slack on any assignments. There are fewer assignments than when you were in highschool. This means that they are worth more to your grade. Don’t miss any.
11. If you work a part time job while in college, don’t overwork yourself.
12. If you become a broke college student, shop for discounts on food. Walmart is really cheap if there is one near you. Target is also cheap (they accept price matches from other places (including Walmart) and they offer a number of coupons and discounts through their app. Don’t shop at CVS, 7-eleven, or Walgreens, their prices are raised since they are smaller stores.
13. Here’s a list of food to buy under $20 if you’re broke: canned veggies, tomato soup, oatmeal, bananas, ramen (cliche but it works), canned fruit, fruit (some fruits sell for 50 cents or less, bread, milk, eggs. 
14. While we’re still on food, buy generic stuff. It has the same ingredients and is much cheaper.
15. If you are broke, sell your plasma, even an extra $50 can help.

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1. Write up a roommate agreement if you have roommates.
2. Don’t eat out at restaurants all the time.
3. Save your coins for laundry.
4. Keep aspirin in your backpack.
5. Keep your homework and classwork organized by class.
6. Make sure your laptop is charged before you bring it to class or keep the charger in your bag.
7. Make sure (If you go off to college) to pack for any sort of weather: pack an umbrella and rain jacket, thick socks and snow boots, shorts and sandals. You never know how the weather will be.
8. Speaking off, check the weather channel/app for the days weather before leaving for class.
9. Get to know your professors.
10. Keep applying for scholarships and grants throughout your college career.
11. Keep highlighters and post it notes on you.
12. Keep your phone charged and on you at all times.
13. Find a quiet place to study between classes
14. Find a microwave on campus
15. Find a place to nap on campus
16. Go to bed with at least 8 hours between the time you sleep to the time you wake. It is possible.
17. Triple check your alarms.
18. Buy your books through places like Chegg.com. You will save so much money.
19. Don’t buy your books new. Rent them used. 
20. Make time for yourself outside of school and work.
21. Take advantage of free things/benefits of being a student: discounted amazon prime, Spotify/hulu bundle, discounted movie tickets, museum tickets, event tickets in general. 
22. Go to events organized by your school
23. Speak with your advisors twice per semester.
24. Speak with financial aid each semester.
25. Participate in class.
26. Don’t do homework in bed.
27. Get to know your campus.
28. Keep a stapler in your backpack.
29. Have tupperware in your dorm/apartment.
30. Use mendeley for research papers

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1. Fill out the AOTC on your taxes to get an extra $1000 back just for being a college student 
2. Utilize planners and calendars!
3. Visit/call your family often if you don’t live with them.
4. Save all of your loose change (it adds up and you can use it for anything). 
5. HAVE FUN!

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