Tips for Saving Money on Textbooks in College

Don’t Buy Books: Do you really need to buy books? In some classes you may, but for many others you will be able to get by with just researching the things your teacher talks about on the internet and at your library. Most teachers do not require you to do assignments that are textbook specific, though some courses it may be inevitable, such as a math course.

Rent Textbooks: There are many programs now that let you rent textbooks instead of purchasing them. This can offer significant savings for some courses.

Share Textbooks: This is risky for some students as some are more responsible than others, but if there is someone you trust and you both are taking the same class, you can split the cost of the book and then make copies of it. (this by the way is illegal as it is copyright infringement, but it’s an idea)

Buy Textbooks Online: Books online and used are always cheaper than the ones in the campus bookstore.

Your Dorm Room & Living Expenses

Research Meal Plans: Most campuses offer meal plans and flex accounts that can help you save money on eating. Research which one best fits your needs and gives you the most options. If you hate the campus food though, you may instead want to try a different option.

Buy Cheap But Nourishing Food: Potatoes, eggs, and frozen vegetables are all super cheap and nourishing foods you can eat in school. Avoid junk food which is expensive but offers little to no nutritional value.

Drink Water: Soft drinks and energy drinks can add up and deplete your budget very quickly. It’s okay to treat yourself occasionally, but drinking free tap water in a reusable water bottle will save you more in the long run. If you absolutely do not like water, consider brewing your own tea or coffee or making drinks yourself.

Share Groceries With Others: Buying in bulk at stores like Sam’s Club or Costco can be helpful, though you need to be careful to not overspend. Splitting a case of Ramen noodles or energy bars though can help you and your friends reduce costs. You may also want to consider sharing and splitting up things like bars of soap, shampoo, etc. etc.

Be Energy Conscious: Most dorm rooms don’t charge extra for utilities, but if you are renting an apartment you will want to make sure you do not go overboard on heating and electricity bills.

Think Reusable Instead of Disposable: Paper plates, cups, towels, and other disposable items sure add up quickly – so if possible go with reuseable items. For example, use a BPA free water bottle instead of buying bottled water, wash your own dishes, and try to resuse things more than once.

Dress Like a Dork: Haha, no not really. But you don’t need new clothes or to stay on top of fashion. No matter what you wear today, you will look back at yourself in photos 10 years from now and laugh. Might as well save money now!

Shop at Thrift Stores: There are tons of thrift stores to buy cheap furniture, clothes, and other items.

Shop Online: There are a number of different ways to shop online to find the things you need. Check online classifieds sites and auction sites to see what you might be able to find for less than what you would pay new.

Entertainment

Look for Free Events: Most colleges have free concerts, seminars, and clubs you can join. Check local fire departments, libraries, and churches for other things going on around town.

Stay Home: Instead of going out with friends, look for free things you can do on or around the campus. For example, you could organize a scavenger hunt, play board games, play frisbee, or watch movies.

Get Rid of the Car: Having a car at college is a nice luxury, but most times is not really necessary. Not only will you have to pay for gas and insurance, but you’ll also likely have to worry about parking fees and fines and if you have a car payment how you will find a way to pay it.

Get Exercise: Going for a walk or jog around campus is fun to do and gives you a good workout also – for free! No need for a gym membership while at school (unless it is included free as part of the tuition).

Don’t Drink Alcohol: Alcohol is just not bad for your or a poor academic decision, it can be very expensive as well! Skip the parties with a cover charge and don’t be tempted by $1 draft nights every week either.

Savvy Financial Advice for College Students

Don’t use Credit Cards: Avoid them as much as possible, only using them for absolute emergencies.

Refinance Student Loans & Start Paying Now: Paying off student loan debts as you incur them can help you save on interest charges and owing over $30,000 later down the road. Pay more than the minimum monthly payment to help reduce the amount of debt sooner.

Don’t Go to College if You Don’t Know What You Want to Do: If you’re not sure what type of career or life calling is for you, then maybe you should wait to go to college or take community college courses first. There’s no sense in paying $30,000 in college tuition if you’re not even sure you like the subject you will be studying!

Don’t Borrow Money: Borrowing money from family or friends is no better than racking up credit card debt, and it could hurt your relationships as well!

Get a Job: A Part Time job can help you stay on top of your finances by having income. If there are not many employment opportunities near you, consider finding work online by becoming a freelance writer or offering other services you can do over the internet.

College is a big expense, but there are hundreds of ways to save money while you are getting your education. For more money saving tips, visit Simply Save Money for even more ideas on ways to save!

While it’s important that school be a source for getting an education and not a free for all pass to party, you’re still going to want to make some friends. In fact, having good friends can even cause you to do better in school – they can help you learn how to find things on campus, let you borrow their stuff if you need it, get classwork or take notes for you if you’re ever sick, and can give you a shoulder to turn to if you ever have a bad day (which we hope won’t happen, but sometimes you’ll get those days that are just plain awful). Of course, if you have a friend who does all these things for you, you should be a good friend in return and do the same for them if you can!

If you’re a little nervous about how you’re going to make friends in school, here are some ideas and tips to meet new people in college:

1. Get to Know Your Neighbors ASAP: If you are living on campus, the first place to start is with the people you’ll be living with and seeing the most on a regular basis. The people who are living on your floor is a great place to get started. No one is going to think you are a total weirdo for stopping by and introducing yourself on the first day. If you don’t talk to them or acknowledge them for three weeks though and then decide its time to say hi, that might be awkward.

2. Find Other Freshmen: The best part about being in college and not knowing a single person is that neither does anyone else who is new. There are likely thousands of other freshmen in the exact same boat as you.

3. Talk to People in Your Classes:  Around campus and in every class you go to you’ll likely see some familiar faces. A simple “hey, aren’t you also in my xyz class?” can open up the door for conversation. Don’t be shy about talking to those sitting around you in the first few minutes before class begins or after the class is over.

4. Join a Club or Group: There are many different clubs and groups in just about every university that offers many different activities. You might feel like a dork at first, but it’s true that if you find something you like and enjoy, you’ll also meet some great people that have similar interests as you.

5. Get a Job: Not only can you make money while at school, but getting a part-time job can be another great way to meet new people and make friends.

6. Be a Designated Driver: Don’t be afraid to go to a college party or two. While binge drinking and driving drunk are serious problems amongst college students, you can avoid the problems associated with it but still get to know new people. Offering to be a designated driver not only will help keep your friends safe but help you avoid getting into trouble as well.

7. Stay True to Yourself: Don’t fall into the potential trap of trying to be or becoming something you’re not. In the long run, you’ll make much more solid friends and be a lot happier with who you are if you stay true to yourself.

8. Get a Workout: You don’t have to be an all star athlete to make friends you can exercise with. Not only will it help you avoid that dreaded freshmen 15 (sadly, no, it’s not just a myth!) it will also help you find others interested in positive and healthy activities. Whether you work out at the gym, start a jogging group, or find something else you enjoy, fitness and sports activities are a great way to make friends.

9. Don’t Get Hung Up on Old Friends From High School: Your old friends from high school can be a major vacuum when it comes to meeting new people if you give them all of your attention, constantly go home to see them, or spend hours online chatting with them or on the phone. While yes, it is certainly worth it to keep those friendships alive and well, it can make it even more difficult for you to venture out and meet new people if they get the majority of your free time. Trust us, the “real friends” will still be there even after college.

10. Find Positive People: You’re going to meet a ton of different types of people as you go through your years in school. It’s not about the quantity of friends that you have, but the quality. Even if you only have one friend, if that person is trustworthy, loyal, and there for you throughout the whole experience, that is worth more than having 100 friends who you never really get to know.

Meeting new people and making friendships in school isn’t the easiest thing in the world. A lot of people have struggled with it, especially if this is the first time you’ve ever been really pushed and forced out of your comfort zone. The good news is that almost everyone who attends college eventually finds others they can relate with and have a good time with, even if you are away from home.

Do you have any good tips for making new friends and meeting people at school? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below!

Here are some tips to make it go as smoothly as possible:

1. Pack and Prepare Early: Don’t wait the night before to start packing. This is a recipe for disaster. While you might want to wait before you load up the car with boxes and furniture, in most cases it is usually best to have everything ready to go well in advance. Our dorm essentials checklist will help you with packing and preparing everything you need. In general, you’ll want to have it all collected and packed up about one week in advance, which will give you ample time in case you forget anything and help reduce that last week stress.

2. Be Familiar With the Campus Rules & Process: Move-In Day for college can be one of the most hectic experiences you can imagine. There will be hundreds of cars parked outside the dorm buildings and equally a ton of other parents and students all with bewildered looks on their faces. If you know the process for moving in, any important campus rules, and where you will be going you can save yourself a lot of grief. If possible, ask an existing student who’s already gone through it to get some helpful tips on where to park and what you’ll need to do on your first day.

3. Coordinate With Your Room Mate: If you haven’t done so already, make sure you and your room mate will be there to set up the same time. You don’t want to spend hours arranging furniture or decorating for them to show up and not like it at all. You will be sharing the space together, so it is important that you both have some input on where shared items like the fridge or the microwave belong.

4. Get Everything In Your Room Before Unpacking: Before you start unpacking boxes, try and get everything in your room first. This way you won’t be sorting through school supplies while others are bringing in different things at the same time.

5. Keep Help Around as Long as You Can: You might feel the need to hurry up and get your family out of there if they are helping you move, but if they can stay and help you then you might as well take advantage of it. Enlist in family to assemble furniture, run errands, or do other tasks. You’ll be glad to have the help when the day is over.

6. Bring Snacks and Drinks: You might not have time right away to get food, and it’s possible that you won’t have your student ID card to get campus meals yet either. Packing a picnic lunch and having drinks and snacks available can help you stay on task while you are unpacking for school.

7. Practice Stress Management Techniques: There’s a good likelihood that you will be stressed out and feel overwhelmed. This could cause you to feel angry or upset at those helping you or others moving in who are also equally stressed out. While moving into school you’ll want to consider some simple relaxation techniques like counting to 10, taking a few minutes to rest or take a break, or washing your face with cool water.

University Moving Day for College doesn’t have to be a completely stressful and crazy hectic experience. If you follow these easy tips and suggestions from us who have “been there, done that” a few times both for ourselves and helping our friends, you’ll be able to make the transition to your new home away from home easily.

Pros of College Coed Dorms

More Social Interaction: When there are many people living on a floor that are of the opposite sex it presents many more opportunities to meet new people and be socially involved with others. If you’re going to college as a single guy or girl, this can greatly increase your odds of meeting someone new.

More Housing Options: Most campuses offer a larger variety of student housing for mixed sex residence halls than they do for same sex ones. You may have better chances to get the location or the amenities you want.

Less Rules: While all dormitories and residence halls will have sets of rules to make the living experience safe and fun for everyone, in general the rules of a coed hall are a little more lenient. For example, in many all female halls, there may be rules that no guys are allowed in after 10 pm. If you’re a night owl and have friends of the opposite sex, this could present a problem to some. If you’d rather be sleeping or studying, then you may want to choose a same sex hall since the noise levels will likely be considerably less.

Cons and Disadvantages of Coed Dorm Living

Immature/Rude Behavior: While hopefully you won’t find too many people who are immature and rude at your campus school, unfortunately in many student housing facilities it is a common occurrence. People may say things that are suggestive, offensive, or insulting not because they don’t like you, but just because they haven’t reached the level of maturity to resist it. If you’re easily bothered by these types of things, it may be better to wait until you’re in your second or third year of school and the students will be a lot less likely to act immaturely.

Lack of Privacy: If the thought of walking down the hallway without makeup and your hair dripping wet coming out of the shower bothers you in front of people of the opposite sex, you may also not feel the most comfortable in a coed dorm room. You’ll also likely see many other people walking around in their underwear or bathrobes which could also make some people feel uncomfortable.

May Be Harder to Study: Some people go to school to study and learn, others go to socialize. If you’re goal is to study and learn, you may find it difficult to concentrate in a coed dorm that is often filled with people yelling at each other across the hall or if your room mate constantly has people over. For some this may be a little too distracting and it could have a huge impact on your grades. The good news is you can always find other places to do your studying and college work such as a library or computer lab.

Weighing the pros and cons and advantages and disadvantages of living in a college coed dorm room is important before making a final decision on what student housing options you would prefer. Everyone will have individual likes and dislikes and it mostly will be up to your own personal decision, not what friends, family, or others think.

Do you have any thoughts on living in a college coed dorm? Share your thoughts below!

The first concern that most people have is a lack of privacy. While it is true that sharing showers will take getting some used to and not all people are equally reserved or open about bathing with others, in general it is not so bad. Having a very large towel and bath robe will help you get used to the lack of privacy if you are concerned about it. You can also practice the art of undressing and dressing under a towel before you get to college to make seamless transitions from shower stall to your clothes.

The most frustrating thing about sharing showers with several other people is limited space and time. You will notice for the first few days that everyone will likely be trying to shower all at the same time, which could result in a lot of waiting or aggravation. After a few weeks though you’ll be able to create a routine where you’ll be able to get a decent shower in peace. You may need to wake up earlier than others or possibly wait until late at night or even shower around dinner time or in the afternoon. However, picking an “off time” and less busy time to get rinsed off will allow you a lot more freedom to take as long as you want and no one will be waiting and complaining.

Another thing you may want to consider is getting a mirror for your college dorm room, since sink space and mirror space can also be a precious commodity. This will allow you to put on make-up, style your hair, or shave without others trying to get the space or having to wait for someone who is hogging the mirror in the public rest room.

Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure you have packed all of the things you need for showering at school. Here is a simple list to get you started:

Bath Tote: Since you’ll have to carry all of your items to the bathroom you’ll want an easy to carry storage tote for all of your needs. One that can be carried into the shower and drain water or hang from a hook may be a great idea. You can see many of the different types available here. They come in many styles, suitable for both guys and girls.

Flip Flops: College dorm shower floors can be very slippery as well as a breeding ground for bacteria or other conditions, so wearing them while bathing is very important. Pick a pair that are comfortable, fit well, and can dry very quickly and easily.

Towels: You should have at the minimum 2-3 towels to use at school so they can dry between use and so you still have a back up when one needs washed. Large towels are best – you may even want to bring beach towels, since they will give you the most amount of privacy for dressing/undressing. Having a towel rack or hanging rod in your room is a good idea so you have a place to hang it so it can dry.

Soap, Toothbrush, and Other Supplies: Having enough soap, toothpaste, and other basic bathroom toiletries is very important. You should not share these items with other people, since it can be a good way to share and spread germs. Having a reserve supply or back up is a good idea so you do not run out.

Do you have any other tips or suggestions for surviving college dorm showers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Below is a detailed list of everything you should bring:

School Supplies
Bringing your own school supplies can help you save a lot of money rather than purchasing them at the on campus bookstore.

• Binders
• Notebooks
• Printer Paper
• Printer
• Printer Ink
• Pens
• Pencils
• Pencil Sharpener
• Colored Pencils
• Markers
• Folders
• Paper Clips
• Rubber Bands
• Scissors
• Highlighters
• Laptop/Computer and Supplies
• Tape
• Stapler and Staples

Cooking & Eating Needs
You’ll likely get hungry or thirsty while away at school and so having some basic supplies will make you much more comfortable, especially when the student dining halls are closed.

• Cups
• Mini/Portable Coffee Maker
• Coffee
• Sugar Packets
• Plates
• Silverware
• Dish Soap
• Can Opener
• Microwave
• Mini-Fridge

Clothing
With limited space you’ll want to make sure you don’t have too much clothing – but at the same time not enough can be a problem too! Here’s a good guideline on what to bring.

• Pants
• Shirts
• “Dress” outfits for job interviews, speeches, formal events
• Lots of socks & underwear
• Shoes
• Coat or Jacket
• Hat, Gloves, Scarves
• Sweaters and Sweatshirts
• Laundry Basket
• Laundry Detergent
• $60 in rolled quarters for laundromat

Toiletries
You’ll want to make sure you have everything you need at school as far as soap and other grooming supplies go.

• Soap
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Sandals for Shower
• Bathroom necessities (toilet paper, etc.)
• Caddy for supplies if you’ll have shared bathrooms
• Several towels
• Wash Cloths
• Medications: pain relievers, cold medicine, prescriptions, etc.
• Contact/Lens Solution
• Nail Clippers
• Q-Tips
• Razor and Shaving Cream

Bedding, Furniture, and Room Necessities
Some college dorms supply the furniture, others you will need to bring your own. This basic list will help you prepare.

• 2 sets of sheets
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Comforter
• Throw Blanket
• Lamps
• Curtains/Shades
• Posters or Wall Decorations
• Area Rug
• Storage Boxes
• Sewing Kit
• Small Tool Set
• Alarm Clock
• Radio/Stereo
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Hangers
• Trash Bags and Trash Can
• Room Deoderizer/Disinfectant Spray
• Tissues
• Paper Towels
• Wipes
• Broom and/or Vacuum
• Fan

Before you move in, you may want to check with your room mate if you plan on having on to see what things you may be sharing, such as a refrigerator or microwave since this can help save money. You may also want to check with your room mate to see if they have any ideas for what they want for decorating. If possible, meeting with each other before you move in will not only give you some help in planning on what to bring to college, but it will also help you get to know one another better also so you won’t feel like complete strangers on the first day.

We think we’ve covered it all in our College Dorm essentials checklist, but if you have any suggestions, ideas, or anything we may have missed, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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