Comments on: Heading Out on Your Own

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:05:18 +0000

Barry’s tips in the above one are really good. I haven’t started college yet (this fall) but I can see me having the trouble he mentioned. I haven’t really had to try in high school at all. I studied for my psychology exam and went over the formulas for my physics exam but I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve had to study anything since about third or forth grade…
As for the rest I’ve got to get started learning things! Funny how you never realize fully just how much there is to do until it’s listed. I’ll (hopefully) be going about 1,700 miles away and I don’t know how to cook anything (healthy anyway), I have a vague idea of how to do laundry but no specifics as I haven’t done it in a very long time, and don’t know how to sew. As for ironing, we don’t have one.

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:21:42 +0000

These are good tips for surviving college. One of the biggest challenges I faced was that I never had to study or try much in high school. I thiought I was trying, but to be honest, I never put in much time outside of class and never developed much of a study habit but still made good grades mostly by paying attention in class and scribbling out the homework at lunch time or other odd times throughout the school day. This hit me hard in college. That wouldn’t really get me through the easy classes in college and was a disaster in the serious classes. The best academic advice I ever received was to never fall behind. Every day of class starting with the very first day, go to class fully prepared. Reading done. Assignments done. You can’t catch up if you can’t keep up. This also means that you have to start long-term assignments early and schedule out milestones and meet them. Writing every paper during an all-nighter is not a good strategy. Never fall behind.

Don’t fit your studying into your social schedule. Make it the other way around.

By: Kristiyan

Kristiyan — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:05:11 +0000

* How to cook 2 or 3 good meals
* How to do the laundry without turning your briefs pinks
* How to iron a shirt
* How to shine your shoes
* How to sew on a button
* How to tie a tie
* How to clean (this should be obvious, but some men are overly-coddled and haven’t a clue on where to begin)

Not everything, but a few besides “how to shine your shoes” should get a link to it.

Especially how to iron a shirt – as first you have to start with the collar, then the sleeves, then the fronts and the back at last. After that, store it hanging on a hanger buttoned all the way up to prevent wrinkles and crushed collar.

Well, how to sew a button is as easy as how to clean and even without instructions one can find his own right way around, but how to tie a tie could get a link as well, with pictures and all that cool internet jazz.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:34:15 +0000

College is actually a very good time to build good credit with a credit card, and it’s an easy time to get one — credit card companies like giving cards to students because they are often irresponsible with them, yet they are still backed up by their parents financially. After you graduate, it’s much harder to get a good card (or auto loan, home loan, etc.) if you don’t have an established credit history.

Make sure you get one without any annual fee. Then, after you get it, the key is to be responsible. Always make your payments on time. If you can’t do that, send it home or leave it in a drawer. Just having the card and not being delinquent will help your credit (I think).

By: Motorokr

Motorokr — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:44:32 +0000

I never shined my shoes, and never did my mother… whatever shall i do!

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By: Rod Homor

Rod Homor — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:08:10 +0000

Ah yes. Another great list of ideas in your article. Thanks. Here are a few other ideas:

I joined a food co-operative when I was in college. It was a great way to buy bulk, healthy food inexpensively.

Another way to save money is to go to student-sponsored movies. Often you can see cult classics for just a few bucks. They are a fun date, and cheaper on your wallet than the local cineplex that charges ten bucks each.

Study dates can be fun during finals week.

You can combine chores and watching your favorite teams so you won’t cut into study time. In other words, do your laundry WHILE drinking a beer and watching the game.

Check with your college/university for their work/study program. It is a way to make some money and possibly even work in the field (or college) that you are interested in (major in).

Hope that helps. Have fun.

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:09:09 +0000

I’ll add, learning to cook is a great way to meet girls.

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:08:13 +0000

Great article. As a recent college grad, I can say this information is vital for new college folks. And the comments are great as well, except the guy who talked about credit cards being a good idea.

Maybe one out of a hundred don’t pay interest, but 99 do (that’s why credit cards push them so hard, what you thought they were just being nice?)

Also, I would add working to the list. I did better in my classes when I was working. I guess if you followed the rest of the advice, you wouldn’t need it, but my work schedule kept me busy and helped keep my sleep hours regular.

By: Scott @ The Passive Dad

Scott @ The Passive Dad — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:43:24 +0000

Wonderful list! I ate a lot of top ramen and pizza in school. Not good for my budget or my waist line. Staying away from credit cards is the best advice for students, you can use a debit card for almost anything now.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:28:37 +0000

@Brett

Thanks, I appreciate your response and am looking forward to seeing what is to come.

By: Mike Bates

Mike Bates — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:15:45 +0000

I had no idea what I was in for when I went to college. I moved 2000 miles away from home and knew no one. It was imperative, for me anyway, to get involved in extra-curriculars (intramurals and music for me) and to take advantage of any opportunity to interact with my professors and my dorm-mates, so that I could build a strong support network and learn the ropes. What Will said about being proactive and avoiding passivity is incredibly important.

Also, everyone likes pizza at midnight. Buy a pie or two to share and you’ll be everyone’s friend forever.

As for credit cards, I don’t like them much, but if you must get one make sure you understand your obligations as a cardholder and the ramifications of non-payment before you get one. And for God’s sake, figure out how you’re going to pay for whatever you buy on it. Too many young people start out in a huge hole (or worse, dig a hole for their parents to get out of) when they leave college. Don’t be one of them.

By: Nesagwa

Nesagwa — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:01:46 +0000

@Will:

I understand that, which is why I went without a job for two years in order to fulfill a full time class schedule. Which is also why I burned out after two years and quit.

It really came to a point where I had to choose between art supplies or food.

All Im saying is make sure you have money that isnt from a loan coming from *somewhere* to sustain yourself for 4 years. Especially if youre living off campus and your aid wont cover all of your rent.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:11:12 +0000

I would add that in making your class schedule, don’t judge what time you’ll be able to make it to class in the morning by your high school schedule. When I was in high school, I had to be at school by 7:50 am. So when I enrolled my first semester at college, I figured that taking a 8:30 class would be no big deal. Boy was I wrong. 8:30 becomes practically the middle of the night in college. I hardly ever made it to class and barely got a passing grade.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:42:34 +0000

You have no idea how many women I know could benefit from reading this as well!
My only two pieces of advice would be to look at your class schedule for next two terms ahead of time and seek out internships.
Here’s why:
Some of my classes are only offered every 2 years and they have prerequisites
that will block you from taking the class when it is offered. But if you know about these classes at least two terms ahead of time you can try to take the “pre-reqs” ahead of time instead of delaying graduation for a class you need that won’t be offered again until 2010.
Also if you’re not sure about your major don’t stress. If it is possible, during the summer seek out internships in something you’re interested in, This way you can see if this is the field you want to go in and if it is as a bonus you already have a reference, experience and have started your network.