What I Wish I Had Known Before College

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	What I Wish I Had Known Before College (It may take a few moments to load.) Upon entering college I quickly realized that there were many things I needed to know that mom and dad forgot to teach me. I know there are thousands of other college students out there that were in that exact same predicament I was. Now, I'm definitely not your mother, but I trust that you will benefit greatly from what I'm about to tell you. I cannot cover everything a student needs to know before entering college in an article such as this one, but I will give an overview of a few important things including money management, obtaining financial aid, cooking, and managing your time. Money Management: I only have 3 money management tips, so listen carefully: 1- Create a budget. I know it's hard in the beginning but it'll really reduce financial tension. If you don't even know where to start, explore the internet or ask your friends or parents to help you. 2- Do not spend more than you make. If you're in the habit of spending more than you are making you have two options: increase your income or decrease your expenses. There are loads of ways to reduce expenses, but you may need to get creative. 3- Pay your bills on time. Just do it. Don't get into more debt than you must. Finding Financial Assistance: Scholarships, grants and loans are you finance options. You can find scholarships at your college, on the internet, throughclubs, businesses, and organizations. Open your eyes to scholarships and you'll find that they are everywhere. Most people get grants from the government. To do this, you are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fill out this application on the internet or in your financial aid office. You have two options for student loans: Federal and private. Some Federal loans are the Stafford, Perkins, Parent PLUS, and Graduate PLUS loans. A private loan can be taken out through your bank or other financial institutions. College Cooking: You don't have to be a chef to be able to cook. You can find an abundance of easy recipes in books that were written specifically for college students. Consider purchasing one of these great books. When you don't feel like getting out the cook book simply look at the food you have, decide what items would taste good together, and chuck them into a frying pan. Most meals are meat based with vegetables and sometimes noodles or rice. Managing Your Time: Time is precious, manage it wisely. Here are some of my time management tips: 1. Prioritize- List your most important tasks and do those first. 2. Schedule- Each person needs an individual schedule that matches them. Try out different schedules to determine which one works best for you. Without a schedule the majority of college students end up loafing, being pulled away by friends or distracted by events and consequently, getting behind in their studies. 3. Follow your Schedule- When you're in class, BE in class. Don't dose off or daydream. If your teacher gets off topic, do your homework from another class. When it's time to study, study. Don't go to the library for an hour just to end up gazing out the window for forty five minutes. When it's time to relax, relax. Follow your schedule. About the Author Elise Fisher enjoys writing articles that will help college students, like herself, learn more about college survival.