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CAMPUS JOBS-the way to go!Jun 18 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Basically, even if your parents are paying your college bill, you will still become broke. Instead of pizza every other night-save your money for a trip to Cancun! As a student who spent her first year without a job, I know what it feels like to go totally broke at college. It seems that with the money you've saved working part-time during high school, or during your summer job, that you won't need much when you get to school. After all, everything is provided, right? Wrong! Although your meals are part of the college package, there's no way you'll stick to them. Trust me, I went to James Madison University (one of top 10 meal plans in the country) and I managed to spend well above my budget for snacks and food. The main problem is drinking and that craving for pizza. Even if you hate pizza, you will probably order pizza at least once during your college years. It's inevitable. However, there are a few tips I've learned that can help you save your money. First, get a campus job! I know, you'll be too busy doing your schoolwork to be able to hold a job as well. The wonderful thing about most campus jobs, is that they're basically a paid study hall. I'm not saying you don't have a job, but that there are times when your job will be slow, or when you will simply be monitoring library facilities or computer labs, and you will get time to do your homework. This not only helps your wallet, but your grades as well. In addition to the study time, you get more involved in your campus life, and your supervisors will completely understand if you are going to be up late studying for an exam or want to spend a night at the bars with your friends and don't think you'll be able to make it to work. THE THING TO REMEMBER: everyone wants a campus job! The best way to get one is by going to school about a week early and applying through your school's student employment center. If you don't live close enough to drive over to your school early, be sure to check on the web site for any opportunities, or to find out who you should call for more information about job openings. Campus jobs often have guaranteed raises in pay if you stay for more than one semester, so if you like your job--stick with it. Second, check into getting a cell phone if you will be away from home or if most of your friends and family will be long distance calls. My first long distance bill was well over $100, and aside from a few drunken calls to high school friends, I have no idea what was so important that I couldn't use e-mail. E-mail will become your best friend--it's free, it's easy, and everyone you know will have it as well. So rather than leaving voice mails for your friends, use e-mail. By investing in a cell phone, you may have the option of long distance, or free nights and weekends. In addition, many plans (such as Sprint PCS) are nationwide, so you can use the phone if you are traveling home for the holidays as well. Last, but not least, you do NOT need to buy everything new for your college dorm room. Contrary to popular belief, many students do come to school with used things. Things such as trash cans, plastic crates, sheets, clothing, and school supplies do NOT need to be brand new to be used at college. In fact, you may feel more comfortable having your regular old things so that you won't stick out as a FRESHMAN! On the first move-in day, it's easy to separate the freshman from the upperclassmen because everything they packed is brand-new, and they probably could have saved a lot of that money for those late night snacking sessions, or for a few precious moments talking on the phone to a long-distance friend. After all, after you move in, a trash can is just a trash can, right? Good Luck!  |
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