Money Saving Tips for College Students

If you are serious about saving money, spend one month saving all your receipts. No matter if it a trip through the drive thru for a quick lunch or a pack of gum at the gas station. Make a list of all your expenses and see where you spend most of your money. Keep track of your finances. I took my time doing this considering it seemed like my money went a lot faster than it should have. I didn't realize how much money I spent on extra activities.

TEN TIPS TO HELP SAVE!!

1. Save ALL your change. Every penny counts. I have a big water junk in the corner of my room where I collect all my spare change. Once the jug seems like its full I either roll it up and take it to my bank, or take it to the local "coinstar." Although the coinstar is convenient, it does take a few cent from every dollar so it is better to roll them and save!!

2. One big issue I have is the amount of money I spend on gas. Carpool if you live off campus. I live about 25 miles away from my college. A friend I went to high school with also attends tech. On Mondays and Wednesdays we have the same time schedule so we trade every week to drive. It may not seem like much, but it saves a lot of gas and miles on your vehicle.

3. USE COUPONS!! You can save a lot on your weekly grocery trip by using coupons. Look in the newspaper and also online for some really good coupon savers.

4. Buy USED books. Hit up the bookstore before all the other students raid the place. Used books are at least $30 cheaper.

5. Also, sell your books back!! You won't get the same amount of money back but you will get some back hopefully.

6. Pay all your bills on time. Avoid late fees, they add up.

7. If you're renting a place, find places that have utilities including. Also use electricity wisely. Keep lights off when not needed. 

8. If your like me, and your addicted to shopping...run straight toward the sale racks. It is easy for me to find a top for $4 and a pair of jeans for $20. Also, try Platos Closet...that place has become my best friend! They buy new and used clothing that is in style. Once your tired of your clothes take them there and earn some cash on the spot. While your there its possible to find a few new items you'd like to purchase.

9. If you are going out to eat, avoid buying alcoholic beverages. Drink water. Even a soda cost $3.00 at a restaurant. That's money you can be using towards something else. 

10. For entertainment, try to do things cheap. For example, if you're going to a movie, try going to the matinee showing. Do things where with a student id you can get discounted.

These are just a few tips I use to save some cash! Hope you can benefit from them!!

-Megan

Time Management for College Students

 TIME MANAGEMENT!!! Key to SUCCESS!

Time management for college students is a big issue that a lot of students don't control correctly. Managing your time is even more vital when your a working student. There are many ways to manage your time that can help you while working and going to school. It can be overwelming if you aren't managing your time wisely. This causes stress that you should not put on yourself.

Ten Time Management steps for College Students:

1) Get a calender. This way you can place everything down for the week such as appointments, meetings, work schedule, classes, and assignments that are due.

2) WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING! This way you can't say you forgot something. Keep a little notepad with you. It's small enough to fit into your purse, pocket, or bookbag.

3) Relax! Make sure you have time for yourself. It's important to give yourself time to breath. Even though you have a lot of pressure on yourself and you have a lot to do make sure you also do not stress yourself out.

4) Avoid procrastination. This is hard for almost anyone. Most of the time we wait until the last minute to get things done. This is very unhealthy. Not only does it cause stress, it also causes you to stay up late and not always make the best grade possible.

5) Focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking may seem like a good idea, but you really get more done by focusing on one thing at a time.

6) Team up with classmates. It's always a good idea to have a buddy in each class. Exchange numbers or email addresses just incase your ever struggling and need an extra hand.

7) Study and work at the same time. If at all possible look for a job around campus. If not try to find a job where you are capable to study while working.

8) Learn to say NO. Determine how to spend your time instead of letting others do it for you. Knowing your priorities helps to stay focused. Everytime you say yes to something, you are saying no to everything else you had to do before.

9) Utlize your spare time. Between classes spend your time going over notes or reviewing before a test.

10) Know when your most productive. Most student have a time during the day where they are most productive. This may be first thing in the morning or later in the night. Use the time where your most productive to tackle your most complicated task of the day.

These are a few of many steps that deal with time management for college students. These tips can be very useful. Good time management skills give you control of your time and your life. Learning these skills will give you control of your work, school, and personal life.

Challenges Facing Working College Students

Graduating from High School isn't always what you expect.....

Once you hit your senior year of high school there is so much anticipation to walk across the stage and receive that diploma you have worked so hard to get. Once that summer of fun is over the real world smacks you in the face. So much changed in such a small amount of time that overwhelmed me and caused a lot of stress. I figured living at home and going to Midlands would be a piece of cake. I would have my parents to support me and could work a few hours here and there just for fun money on the weekends. I was totally wrong. Come October I found out that my parents were moving to Charlotte where my dad owns a Concrete Pumping Business. It was to much struggle driving daily back and forth. This meant I would have to figure out how to support myself. This is how I ended up becoming a working college student. At first I never thought it would be as hard as it became. Working college students deal with an abundant amount of stress. Everything from budgeting your money to finding time to spend with friends becomes a burden on all working college students. Working college students have to grow up and mature a lot quicker than another freshman straight out of high school would have to. You think of your freshman year as the time to live life with no rules and authority. This is certainly not the case for college students with a lot of responsibilities. Working seven days a week and going to school four days a week takes up most of my time. The days I am not out of school I am studying and also helping out with my sisters who still live here too. Working college students have to make time to sit down and manage their time wisely. Keep your head up and do not give up! This blog will hopefully help you with daily tips to succeed!

Introduction to Succeeding as a Full Time Student and Employee

My name is Megan Miles. I am a freshman, full time student at Midlands Tech. I am also a full time worker as the Assistant Manager at Big Thursday (Carolina/Clemson store). At the age of 19 it is very difficult for a young adult to continue an education as a full time student, work seven days a week, and also have time for a personal life. Monday through Friday my day consists of  waking up around 6:45, drive to school from Lugoff for two classes, leaving school, pick my sister up from school, heading straight to work, close the store, then home to do it all again the next day. It is very stressful to do all these things without pulling your hair out. Most students are currently employed or at least searching for a job in order to pay for needs. It is almost impossible for adults to not have a job to help support their self or their family. There are many aspects you have to ponder upon before you make the decision to continue to build your education and also work in order to support yourself. This blog will help people like myself, in order to succeed with ever day issues that intrude on your success.