After you have spent months meeting with guidance counselors, filling out college applications, visiting campuses, and going on interviews, no one can question the thrill you feel when you finally receive that acceptance letter from your first choice college. But that excitement can quickly turn to anxiety when you begin to think about all the expenses associated with student living: housing, illustrated anatomy textbooks, and everything else. There are lots of ways you can save on those costs, if you think ahead and use your resources. Ask around and find out how other students are coping with the same costs. Here are a couple of areas where you can save, and ideas for doing so.
Buying Your Books: This is often a rude awakening at the beginning of each semester. Even though many colleges give book vouchers, which advance some of your financial aid money, this can still be a burden. Here are some ways to save on books.
1. Online sites. Many internet retailers sell textbooks for a fraction of the cover price. If you can find used books, you can save money, even when you consider the shipping and handling costs.
2. Network with other students, especially those in your major. You might be able to buy or borrow their used books, in print or electronic form.
3. Ask your college bookstore about used books and rentals. Buying the books used (if they are available) will save you a good percentage of the bookstore's price for new ones. Renting will be even cheaper, and let's be realistic; most people do not use their textbooks after they have finished a class.
Living arrangements: Housing is another huge cost for many students. You do not want to find yourself in the midst of finals, suddenly wondering how you are going to cover your rent for the month because it is beyond your means. Here are some ways you can save on housing:
1. Live on campus. This can prove to be the most inexpensive option, especially if you are not paying your own college costs. Parents are often more likely to pay for your housing if it is lumped in with your tuition, the way it is with dorm living. Even if you are financing your own costs, your financial aid may help to cover on-campus living.
2. Live with other people. Having roommates, especially ones who are strangers, can be aggravating. However, it may be worth the aggravation if it will cut your living expenses down to a half or a third of what they would be otherwise. Perhaps you can even find friends to live with.
3. Live at home. If you are going to school in your hometown, continuing to live with your parents might turn out to be the wisest choice. It might seem like a horrible thing now, but if it will help you to save money and get on your feet more quickly, it is worth considering.
Beginning a college degree presents the student with many decisions all at once. This can be overhwhelming, but planning in advance can help. Shelling out the cash for those campus activity fees and illustrated anatomy textbooks will hurt much less if you have a budget and a plan in mind.
Buying Your Books: This is often a rude awakening at the beginning of each semester. Even though many colleges give book vouchers, which advance some of your financial aid money, this can still be a burden. Here are some ways to save on books.
1. Online sites. Many internet retailers sell textbooks for a fraction of the cover price. If you can find used books, you can save money, even when you consider the shipping and handling costs.
2. Network with other students, especially those in your major. You might be able to buy or borrow their used books, in print or electronic form.
3. Ask your college bookstore about used books and rentals. Buying the books used (if they are available) will save you a good percentage of the bookstore's price for new ones. Renting will be even cheaper, and let's be realistic; most people do not use their textbooks after they have finished a class.
Living arrangements: Housing is another huge cost for many students. You do not want to find yourself in the midst of finals, suddenly wondering how you are going to cover your rent for the month because it is beyond your means. Here are some ways you can save on housing:
1. Live on campus. This can prove to be the most inexpensive option, especially if you are not paying your own college costs. Parents are often more likely to pay for your housing if it is lumped in with your tuition, the way it is with dorm living. Even if you are financing your own costs, your financial aid may help to cover on-campus living.
2. Live with other people. Having roommates, especially ones who are strangers, can be aggravating. However, it may be worth the aggravation if it will cut your living expenses down to a half or a third of what they would be otherwise. Perhaps you can even find friends to live with.
3. Live at home. If you are going to school in your hometown, continuing to live with your parents might turn out to be the wisest choice. It might seem like a horrible thing now, but if it will help you to save money and get on your feet more quickly, it is worth considering.
Beginning a college degree presents the student with many decisions all at once. This can be overhwhelming, but planning in advance can help. Shelling out the cash for those campus activity fees and illustrated anatomy textbooks will hurt much less if you have a budget and a plan in mind.
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