As we enter the upcoming school year, many freshmen will be leaving their homes to go study abroad, attend college in a different state, or even a different country, and these are some tips that are necessary when leaving home for a long period of time.
1. Make sure you are doing the right thing
Leaving home is a huge step. Don’t rush into going to college for four years on the other side of the country. Think about it, look for other options, and do your research. Chances are, there are many other ways to earn your degree that you haven’t even considered.
2. Know the area well
Spend a few days researching the area where you will be living. Know where the key landmarks are in the area and know your way around the area.
3. Tie up all of your loose ends
Make sure you don’t leave anything unfinished before you leave. Say goodbye to as many people as possible and don’t make the fact that you are leaving seem unimportant.
4. Save up before you go
Even if you research well, you will never get a full taste of item cost until you get to wherever you are going. You may find out that the cost of living is just a bit more than what you are used to. So get a job, make sure you have enough money to survive for at least a couple months, and always have emergency funds saved up.
5. Make connections
Try and tell as many people as possible so as to make connections in your destination. See if there any family friends or relatives close by that could meet you and help you out with the area. If you don’t know anybody going into the area of your destination, then make connections as soon as possible. Find groups around the campus and town to be a part of.
6. Get an Amazon Prime Membership
Amazon prime offers discounted memberships for students, if you sign up with your student email. I have found that it is super useful to order things online the first few weeks, especially if you don’t have a car yet. More details on this HERE
7. Don’t buy new textbooks
As a rule of thumb, NEVER buy brand new textbooks, unless you absolutely have to. I used two websites: gettextbooks.com, and bigwords.com. Both are mediator sites that help you find the best deals and cheapest options, and sometimes they will find some coupons for you. This semester I spent less than one hundred dollars on my textbooks. Now that’s a deal.
8. Get rid of stuff
It is actually a lot cheaper to get rid of things like heavy books and bulky clothing, especially if you plan on shipping a lot of things to your town of destination.
9. Don’t ship your belongings
Shipping things can be expensive, so don’t do it. Either pack your car (if you happen to be driving there), or take advantage of your allotted checked bag limit on an airplane.
10. Use those student discounts
Many places (especially around colleges) will have student discounts. Usually it isn’t a huge discount, however, if you get a discount every time you purchase something, it will make a big difference.
11. Thrift stores are magic
Stock up on furniture, dishes, jeans, or hoodies at a local thrift store. This is a good, cheap way to get prepared for the school year. They always have some cheap kitchen appliances and various discounted decorations. Check out those bookshelves, because they may have one or two of your required books for only a few cents, and don’t forget to ask about a student discount.
12. Look around for food pantries.
Many food pantries around bigger colleges are open to students. You could save up to fifty dollars every month if you went to a food pantry.
13. Sharing is caring
Try to find someone to share an apartment with if you aren’t staying in student housing. Try to share the cost of as many things as possible with your roommate. If you share a car, room, wi-fi, Netflix account, rent, and even some grocery costs, you both could be saving money.
14. Find Cheap Entertainment
Save money by inviting friends over for a movie night instead of going out or even just having a dinner party/barbeque instead of eating at a gourmet restaurant. Even charging fifty cents admission to watch grasshoppers fight in a bucket is better than spending fifty dollars to go see a title fight at the nearest arena.
15. Stay Tight
No matter what happens, always stay connected to your friends and family back home. Call grandma and grandpa every once in a while, keep your friends clued in as to what is going on with you, and it wouldn’t hurt to call your mom once or twice every week.
Leaving home to attend college can be hard, but it doesn't have to be utterly painful.
