Attending college, though a great step towards a bright future, can be the death of your bank account. A lot of money not only goes into tuition and books, but when you add organizers, decorations, school supplies, food, and fun to the list, it starts to add up. Something not many people pay attention to is how many things most colleges offer that you should NEVER go out and buy! They're very easy to overlook if you're not paying attention. Though some campuses have rules against it, most schools do not have any set rules saying you cannot take these little things--especially since our tuition usually pays for them already! So lets break a few rules, get sneaky and creative, and get some free stuff!
1. Salt and Pepper
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There are almost always little packages of salt and pepper in the cafeteria that you can easily transport back to your room.
2. Cutlery
Plastic knives, forks, and spoons are usually really easy to find on campus.
3. Tea packets, honey, sugar and other small packets
There is almost always a section in the caf full of tea bags and things to add to your tea. If you can do this you'll not only stay hydrated and healthy, but tea is a good caffeine source too for those late nights!
4. Pens and pencils
I guarantee you someone, somewhere has a box of "insert department here" pencils and pens that are just dying to be used. Be on the look out, free supplies are everywhere!
5. Printer Paper...or even a printer
This one is a bit more edgy but if you did bring a printer to school and happen to run out of paper, the library is always full of paper to take in a crunch. Most of the time printing on campus is free so you might want to consider even leaving your printer at home and saving some cash and space.
6. T-shirts
This is a gimme; you'll never need to buy a t-shirt again if you attend a preview day, take a tour, go to a sporting event, join a team or a club, or sometimes if you even just ask! There are always shirts being handed out!
7. Bagels, cookies, and fruit
I can almost for certain say that in the dining hall there is an abundant amount of bagels, deserts, and fruits (like bananas, apples, oranges) that you can easily grab and walk out with.
8. Paper towels and Toilet paper
This one is kind of like printer paper; you shouldn't steal the whole thing of paper towels daily. Obviously the dorms will provide bathroom paper so you should never fret about that, but lets say you spill something in your room. It's a waste of money to go buy paper towels when there is literally a whole roll right down the hall.
9. Feminine Products
I wouldn't bank on this but, ladies, if you are in a bind and run out of tampons or pads and need some, the health clinic usually has some kind of basket filled with little tampon/pad kits that are free to take. Don't start doing all of your shopping there, but don't be afraid to take what you need! They're set out for a reason!
10. A Flu Shot
The health clinic on campus usually has a free flu shot at the beginning of each semester. Stay healthy for free and go get your shot!
11. Candy
You can find it basically anywhere I promise. Especially on the desk of your RA.
12. Salad bar items
One way to stay healthy in college is to limit your snacking. If you can put a ziplock back or tupperware in your backpack before dinner, you can walk out of there with some healthy snack options, some greens to throw in your smoothie, or even a salad for later.
13. Heavy Duty Cleaning supplies
Although it's not a bad idea to have a hand-held vacuum, a swiffer or even in some cases a mop, the RA's office almost always has a broom/vacuum and a mop that you could use to get your cleaning done without having to blow money on it.
14. A Gym Membership
There is a gym on campus I promise. Go run on the track if anything!
15. Drinks..especially water
There is some sort of drink machine in every cafeteria. Though usually frowned upon, if you have a hankering for your favorite pop, fill up a water bottle. Speaking of water, plastic bottles add up at the end of the day! Save money and refill at the numerous water fountains or stations around campus!
