Being prepared for university

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Being prepared for university
By Dez ( *~Skittlify~* )

Going to university for the first time can be a scary experience. Many people fear that they will not be able to afford university, or that they won’t be well-prepared once they arrive. Those who live on campus may also worry that they will not get along with their roommate or other people within their residential area. However, university does not necessarily have to be a scary or difficult experience and there are many things that can be done to combat these potential issues. While not every issue can be avoided, many can be reduced or eliminated with preparation, so planning ahead can be very helpful.

Affording university

A big issue students may run into is affording university. Going to school can be expensive, but there are things that can be done to reduce a student's final cost.

One option is applying for scholarships. A scholarship is a sum of money a company or organization awards a student to support their tuition costs. Students may apply for these, or in some cases they may be earned for achievements such as intellectual aptitude, or due to economic hardships or other disadvantages. The amount of money paid varies depending on the scholarship. There are many different types of scholarships to apply for in terms of criteria. For instance, someone may apply for a scholarship based on grades, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or volunteer experience. Some scholarships cover specific areas of schooling, such as the cost of living on campus, textbooks, or tuition, while others are more general.

It is best to start searching for scholarships before entering university. The best place for a student to start searching is in their own high school. Some schools provide students with a list of scholarships they are able to apply for or may have a folder or filing cabinet containing scholarships. If not, guidance counselors or teachers can be asked to suggest scholarships. Other scholarships can be found online by doing Internet searches or through the University or dorm itself. Sometimes a student or their family’s workplace offers scholarships as well. In this case, checks should be made with the employer.

Each scholarship has different rules and regulations and asks different questions on the application. Sometimes the process of applying for scholarships can seem long, but any bit of money a student earns can take a load off the financial burden. Sometimes the longer applications give you the best chance at winning because fewer students will apply for it. The duration of time a scholarship reward is received also varies. Some scholarships offer a one-time payment while others are able to be renewed throughout a student's time in university. In order to renew a scholarship, the student may be required to demonstrate that they have met certain criteria, such as continued hardship or maintaining a particular GPA.

Many students find it helpful to find books at cheaper prices. For example, Amazon and Ebay may stock some textbooks for less than what bookstores offer. If ordering books from one of these sites, however, students should ensure that the proper edition is purchased. It may also be possible to rent the necessary books from the school's bookstore or online for the duration of the term and return them at the term's completion. This may offer a cheaper alternative if the books are not required after the completion of the semester.

It can be beneficial to sell books back to the bookstore after the completion of a term, or sell unwanted books online. Even though it may not be possible to recoup all of the cost, it should be possible to at least receive some of it, and this can be used towards more textbooks, other goods, and supplies.

Looking out for sales whenever possible is also a good idea. For instance, many grocery and department stores hold back-to-school sales prior to the new school year. This is a good way to buy reduced-priced school supplies, and buy in bulk. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive items; sometimes a cheaper alternative works just as well.

Sometimes stores, restaurants, and other places of business offer student discounts. This means that as long as a person is able to prove they are a student, most commonly by showing a student ID, they will be able to get reduced prices at participating businesses. It may be useful to call a place of business to see if they offer a student discount.

In some areas, students may be eligible for concessions in terms of public transport. It may be necessary to acquire a bus pass, particular stamp on their student ID card, or separate concession card, so speak to the school or local transit company for more information. This may cover such modes as buses, trains, or even ferries, depending on the area. This is very important for commuters who would otherwise have to pay full price for transit.

It is also important to track spending and make a budget. Knowing where money is spent will make it easier to determine where costs can be cut. Try to set at least some money aside each month for emergencies such as a vehicle repair or sudden medical expense. Also budget some money for necessities such as food, gas, supplies, and any medications which may be needed. From there, there may even be some spending money left over!

See also: Effectively managing money.

Making a schedule

The school may require students to make their own schedule and pick out the courses they wish to take. It is inadvisable to save this for the last minute. This is because it is important for students to know which classes they wish or need to take ahead of time to make it easier for them when registering for classes. Other people will be trying to register at the same time, so classes shouldn't be chosen at the last minute. A backup schedule should also be made in case the top-choice classes are full. If the classes needed are all full, wait-listing is a great option. Typically, when joining the wait-list, it is a good idea to attend that class on the first day so that if some students don't show up, the spot will be more attainable.

Many schools require students to take general education classes. These may be called General University Requirements (GURs) or Liberal Education Programs (LEPs). Students take classes from different fields in order to become more well-rounded. Some students prefer to get these general education requirements out of the way during their first few semesters at university so they can focus solely on their majors during their final semesters. Others prefer to spread out these general education requirements throughout their time in university. This depends on what each student finds easiest for them. In some areas students are not required to take GURs or LEPs but may have other requirements, such as completing 'people' or 'planet' units. The idea behind this is to encourage students to do some study outside of their own faculty or department. Students should know what their school requires ahead of time and plan their options accordingly to ensure they get into classes that best suit their wants and needs.

Students who are unsure of which classes to take should contact their academic advisor. Academic advisors know which classes students should take and at which point in their educational career. Academic advisors will also be able to answer questions about a student's intended major and what is needed of them. Questions can include what major to choose, what careers will be available upon graduation, or even just what classes to take for GURs or LEPs that relate to your major. Advisors can be contacted through a phone call or email. The advisor's contact information can normally be found online through the school's website. A professor in the desired academic department may know as well. In some cases, an advisor may have a secretary to get in touch with in order to make appointments. If an advisor does not return the initial message, try again or try a different means of communication.

Dorm life

Many students elect to live on campus during their time at university. This allows them to gain independence, be a part of a community, and also allows them to live closer to their classes.

If living on campus with a roommate, it may be useful to get to know the roommate ahead of time. The responsibility of buying certain items can be shared. For instance, one may bring the TV, while the other brings the mini fridge. One may bring cleaning supplies while the other brings a first aid kit. Roommates don’t need to have two of everything, and this is a good way to prevent having doubles of certain items. This also cuts down both parties’ spending costs since the burden is shared.

It is also important to communicate with the roommate because they will potentially be one of the first friends made on campus. Roommates spend a lot of time together, so it is important that they get along and communicate about any questions or concerns. It will be necessary to talk about any problems or boundaries, preferably as soon as the need arises, so the living situation does not grow hostile.

It is beneficial to know the living situation before moving into the dorm. For instance, in some schools there may be single-person dorms, where there is no requirement to share a room with anyone, or there may be a choice between sharing a room and having a single room. Also check to see what arrangements there are for other spaces in the dorm such as if there is a kitchen, a community bathroom, or common areas.

It may also be a good idea to meet the Residence Advisors or the equivalent in the dorm. A Residence Advisor is a trained person who oversees those living in the dorms. They look out for the health and safety of the dorm, and also act as a good port of call for those still adjusting to campus life. The Residence Advisors genuinely love to help students, and will answer many questions a student has about adjusting. They may also be able to assist with things such as resolving conflicts with a roommate.

If a dorm holds hall or floor activities, it is a good idea to go to these as well. These activities allow students to meet others in their building and are a good way to make new friends.

In a dorm room, it is important to stay organized. The rooms are normally small, so it is not possible to bring everything. Start out by packing the necessities, such as bedding, toiletries, medications, school supplies, a laptop/computer, food and drink, and clothing. Then, if there is more room in the dorm, other, non-essential items can be brought.

For optimal use of space, storage bins and shelving should be used. The storage bins are good ways to keep items out of the way, and to bring more than may have otherwise been possible. These can slide under beds so they are out of sight, whilst shelving is a good place to store books and other school supplies. Small baskets to put things such as pencils, pens, and paperclips in are also useful.

Decorations can be a good way to make the space feel more like home. Most dorms also allow at least some decorations. For instance, it may be possible to hang up posters or other decorations. Check with the office of residence life or a Residence Advisor to see what is allowed.

Other things to bring

It is very important to be prepared for class. It may be useful to have a planner to write down any assignments and their due dates. Try and stay as organized as possible. Getting a separate binder, folder, and notebook for each class and properly labeling them can help with this process.

Other office supplies such as a stapler, highlighter, tape, scissors, a ruler, or sticky notes may come in handy for classes in completing various projects and tasks.

If taking any mathematics or science courses, it will naturally be necessary to get a calculator. Some professors are okay with any scientific calculator. Others may prefer graphing calculators such as the T1-84. This may depend on the complexity of the work being done. If unsure what type of calculator is needed, check with the professor, lecturer, or tutor.

While many schools have computer labs, it may be helpful to purchase a personal laptop or desktop computer so as to not be held back when the computer lab is closed or full. Some students also find it useful to purchase their own printer and ink. Many schools charge students anywhere from a few cents to a quarter to print out one page, so some students find it more convenient to have their own printer. Be sure to check if the school offers a certain amount of free prints first. This may be sufficient and can save money on buying ink.

If unsure what supplies will be needed for a certain class, a professor, lecturer, or tutor will likely offer a list if asked, or there may be lists available online.

For those who are well prepared, university can be enjoyable as well as educational. Many people make lifelong friends while learning material that will last them a lifetime, and preparing ahead of time will reduce the stress and create a more pleasant experience. While this article is a guide suggesting ways to be prepared, it is also useful to research the university or talk to the students in order to get a feel for what it is like. It is far better to be over-prepared than to not be prepared at all!