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Whether you’re just about to head to college or you’re part way through your higher education journey, you’ll probably want to make the most of the opportunities presented to you throughout the experience – whether they involve your studies or leisure time. In this article, we’ll explore a few of the approaches you can take to make sure your time in college is unforgettable and that it sets you up for the next steps in your life.
Work Enough, Play Enough
You should definitely aim to get the best possible grades while you’re at college, but this shouldn’t come at the expense of your mental health or your social life. We recommend carefully managing your time. First, get a diary or calendar and enter all dates and times of your lessons and tutoring sessions. Next, block out a little time each day – no more than two hours – for independent study, revision and essay writing. Blocking out an hour for housework and errands is also a great idea. Then the rest of each day is then yours. Sticking closely to this schedule will help to ensure that you do enough, but not too much. It ties you down to a little college work each day – so you’re not putting it off until the last minute – but it also ensures that you’re not swamped.
Be Smart with Money
Very few students can afford to pay off their college fees all in one go, which is why many rely on loans to get them through. It’s then generally accepted that these loans need to be paid off – with interest – as soon as the student can afford to do so. It’s true that you’ll need to start paying amounts back when you hit a certain pay grade and to make sure you can do that, it’s good to budget carefully. Keep track of all income and expenditure and work out where you can forgo certain little luxuries. This will help you to finish college with enough saved. In terms of funding, you may not know that you can actually opt for student loan refinance further down the line. By doing this, you may be able to get your repayments adjusted and your interest rates revised, thus saving a considerable amount.
Work
If you can earn a little extra money while in education, you’ll feel far freer. You’ll also be able to afford a few treats now and then and – more importantly – you may have somewhere to turn in order to begin your professional career after graduation. What’s more, it will give you something to focus on outside of college and introduce you to a whole different group of people.
Say Yes
College is full of opportunities. Whether you’re given the option to volunteer for an extracurricular project, join a club or society, explore your surroundings or take an excursion abroad with your fellow students, you should seriously consider saying yes. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever again be faced with so many different choices of activity at the same time, so why not take the plunge and enrich your life while these opportunities are there?
Network
The tutors at your college aren’t just there to take lessons – they’re extremely valuable connections! The same goes for your fellow students. Everyone leading and attending your course has their own unique skill set and approach the subject. If you play your cards right, you might find yourself in business with one or more of your highest performing peers five years down the line. You may even be recommended for a great position in your chosen industry by one of your teachers. This all depends on the relationships you build while at college.
