ARE YOU GOING TO COLLEGE OR HAVE KIDS GOING SOON?

Here in this article you will find important tips to save money and to manage time in college

For the past few decades the cost of going to college has continued to rise much faster than the rate of inflation. Someone that is going to college today will likely spend twice as much as someone that went just fifteen years ago and received the same education. At the same time, the need for higher education has continued to increase as landing a good job after graduation has become even more competitive. While college is quite expensive, there are several things that a college student can do to save money off their total college costs.

The first thing that a student could do to save money off of their total college costs would be to try taking more courses at once. In most cases, colleges charge a rate per semester hour up until the student reaches full-time status. Once full-time status is achieved, the student can often take more semester hours for either free or at a significant discount. Taking just one more class each semester will allow a student to accumulate enough semester hours to either graduate a semester or two early or pursue an additional degree, which could make them more marketable after graduation.

Another way that a student could save money off of their total college costs would be to take some courses at a local junior college. During a student’s first two years of undergraduate school they will likely take many general education courses. These courses are often very similar to the same courses offered at a local junior college. Since the coursework is similar, most undergraduate programs will accept transfer credits from the local junior college. Taking a class at a junior college is normally quite a bit more affordable than the class would be at the four-year college. However, prior to taking any junior college course, a student should verify that the credits will transfer over.

Finding a job on campus is the third way that a student could save money off their education expenses. Most colleges and universities offer a wide range of part-time campus jobs for students. In many cases, the schools will pay a student a premium if their paychecks are applied directly against their tuition bill. Beyond reducing debt, working a part-time job is often considered a strength by employers as it shows that a student can handle multiple responsibilities at once.

Hot Tip to Manage Time in College

Within the first few days of starting college many students quickly learn that managing their time is one of the most challenging and difficult aspects of being in school. With so much to do and keep track of, strong time management skills can make all the difference. In a few words, here is a “hot recipe” for doing well:

• Get and use a calendar.It can be your cell phone or a PDA or a old fashion paper. No matter what kind it is, though, make sure you have one!
• Write downeverything. Schedule when you plan to sleep, when you are going to do your laundry, when you’re going to call your parents. The crazier your schedule gets, the more important this becomes.
• Take time to relax but schedule it.Don’t forget to schedule in time to relax and breath. Relax is necessary and schedule it during college is crucial.
• Allow for flexibility.Things inevitably come up that you weren’t A plan B is always a good idea to have in mind!
• Plan ahead. Work backward in your calendar and figure out how much time you need. During college we have a lot of projects, so work backward from the due date and schedule the time into your calendar before it’s too late.
• Schedule rewards in.Your midterms week was a nightmare bringing you much stress? Did you make good? Reward yourself and schedule a fun afternoon or a nice dinner out with some friends!