1. Make sure your school has your financial aid ready for you

By now, you should’ve already applied for financial aid. If not, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ASAP.  This must be completed EVERY year (in October or November) that you expect to be in college the FOLLOWING year.

Spring is a great time to check with the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend to make sure your financial aid for the following school year is set up and all the paperwork is complete. This will help you avoid any unnecessary surprises or financial aid delays when you arrive on campus.

2. Find a part-time job

If you’re interested in working part-time while in school, it’s best to start checking out those opportunities early, even before you get to campus or start classes. Working during school can teach you great money management skills and also help limit borrowing if you’re able to put that money toward your tuition.

If you were awarded federal work study, please remember, being awarded work-study does not guarantee you a job. Some schools match students to jobs, but most schools require students to find, apply and interview for positions on their own, just like any other job. Contact your school’s financial aid office to find out what positions are available and how to apply. The most sought after work-study jobs are often filled quickly, so get started now!

3. Craft a good resume and learn how to network

Work experience can be just as important as good grades when looking for jobs after college graduation. Don’t wait until you’re approaching college graduation to write a cover letter and resume, you need one now. Having a compelling and professional resume and cover letter is vital to applying for part-time jobs, internships. Internships not only provide you with knowledgeable experiences in your field, but they also provide great networking opportunities. Don’t settle in and nest; put yourself out there and go to as many networking events as possible.

TIP: Make sure you have an appropriate email address. Employers probably won’t be impressed with an email address such as “partyman@aol.com”.

4. Create a budget and learn how to manage your money

Now that you’re heading off to college, you’ll need to learn how to manage your money. Will you get a financial aid refund? How much can you expect to make weekly at your part-time job? What expenses are already covered (i.e. meal plan)? What do you still need to pay for (i.e. books)?

It’s important to know how much you have coming in and what you can afford to spend. Sit down and make a budget for the semester or year. It will help you avoid unnecessary splurges. 

5. Register for classes and prepare for a whole new world of time management

Make sure you are registered for classes and understand your class schedule. One of the biggest challenges for a lot of you will be time management. When you head off to college, you won’t have somebody there to wake you up, make you breakfast and send you out the door in clean clothes with completed homework in hand. Set yourself up early with a class schedule (make a course syllabus your new best friend) and a system that works for you. You need to know deadlines for registration, papers, financial aid, coursework and everything in between. Your chance of succeeding academically will rapidly evaporate if you don’t manage your time well. You’re worth the investment–manage it well.

6. Get extra help/IEPs

Did you have an IEP in high school?  If so and you feel that it would be helpful to have more help in college, then YOU need to ask.  No one will be coming to you suggesting that you could use the help.  Find the correct office at your school (maybe the office for students with disabilities – or something like that?) and confirm the process.  A good article on the topic can be found here – it’s written for parents but students can certainly learn the basics as well.

If you just need help with general studies on an on/off basis (not an IEP situation) – almost all colleges offer free tutoring – but again YOU need to ask!  Don’t wait until the last minute or the tutoring opportunities may be full.  AND your professors all have office hours specifically to offer extra help to students.  Take advantage of these as well!

7.  Think about how to get your textbooks

Textbooks are a MAJOR expense!  One way to save money is by buying used textbooks or renting them. Search sites such as the ones on our list. If you sell textbooks back to the college bookstore at the end of the semester, check online sites first for what they’re worth. College bookstore buy back rates are sometimes as low as 10% of what you paid for it new, so you may be better off selling them online.

8. Learn how to keep you and your things safe

Yes, you need to remember to lock your dorm room and place that lock on your laptop. Losing your laptop can wreak havoc on your studies and a theft due to an unlocked door can also ruin your relationship with your roommate. Start practicing being more aware of your surroundings and keeping yourself safe.

Program your school’s campus security number into your phone. You never know when you might need it.

Safety also applies to protecting your Social Security number, usernames and passwords. Your Social Security number is one of the main identifiers when checking on things like financial aid, grades, and registering for classes. Make sure all your passwords and important numbers are not on a post-it-note on your desk. Store them in a secure place. Not protecting your identity and important information can have lasting long-term effects on your ability to get a job and apply for credit.

Congratulations on a job well done and making the decision to advance your education.