By: Hailey DuRocher
Life as a college student can be draining. Extracurriculars, school work load and personal struggles are all part of an average college student’s life, so how do we balance it all? Navigating college life may seem straightforward, but it often proves more complex when experienced firsthand. While there isn't a single solution, several tips can help manage college years more effectively. Consider these strategies to make the most of your time as a student.
Smart Budgeting
While in college, the “job” of a student is just that - to be a college student. It can be an immense undertaking to manage academics with a job on top. That’s why budgeting is so important. Budgeting in college allows for stability and less stress among students. Even if it’s a simple budget that outlines expenses, tuition, groceries, transportation or extras, that will help. In fact, simple may be better to keep you on top of your expenses. A smart strategy is to start by putting aside some portion of money you earn into your savings. Determine whether weekly or monthly works best for you, and watch as your savings grow, slowly and steadily. In college, it can be easy to spend and keep spending, but if you are able to prioritize needs over wants, you’ll set yourself up for success in the long run.
Investing as a Student
Investing while only being a college student can be overwhelming and intimidating for some. But there are a couple easy ways to get started! Options to start looking into as a college student include index funds, ETFs, stocks or bonds. You could start with one and then branch out along your investing path. These options are low-risk, which allows students to get a feel for what more intense investing may look like later on. By starting early, students can grow their financial stability and set up for long-term success after graduation.
Balancing Studies, Homework and Personal Life
Being a college student is quite demanding: students have so much on their plate every day. Students are constantly juggling assignments, readings, exams and studying while also trying to find time alone for themselves. Finding a way to maintain a balanced schedule in college is truly the key to success. By creating a structured schedule for yourself, you can set up your day to allow for work time and free time. Dividing your day helps to make it more enjoyable and efficient. Time management is beyond beneficial for students: prioritizing what needs to be done goes hand in hand with structuring your schedule. Though school work can be overwhelming at times, finding or creating breaks in order to take a step back and focus on yourself is crucial. Take a second to breathe and refocus. Your college years are the perfect opportunity to test out what works best for you: make the most out of your years in undergrad.
College students are always on the go. They have a million things they need to remember or do in a given day. Hopefully, these tips will aid fellow college students, allowing you to navigate college life more smoothly and making your experience both productive and enjoyable. Embracing these strategies can lead to better time management and reduced stress. Ultimately, this will help in achieving academic success and personal growth.
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