HOW TO GET MOTIVATED TO STUDY

‘How do I get motivated to study?’ is one question that being constantly asked by students.

Unfortunately, there are no quick and easy solutions to have you feeling totally inspired and energised about studying a subject or completing a project that may not be all that inspiring/interesting at times.

Here are some of the things you can do to motivate yourself to get on with the work and study that needs doing.

1. Make every thought serve you and move you forward

During the initial phase of my honours project I spent a lot of time in my head but it wasn’t time well spent. I would worry constantly about whether I’d be able to pull this project off, whether I’d get the response rate I needed, how I’d start writing it, etc.

In hindsight, this was a complete waste of time. It was only towards the end of my project that I started to be more effective with my thinking. I heard Dr Sharon Melnick state that we have 60,000 conscious thoughts a day. Now for those of you who just thought ‘What’s a conscious thought?’ that’s exactly what a conscious thought is, you just had one! Dr Sharon Melnick states that each of these thoughts are going to either be bringing you closer towards achieving your goals or further away from your goals.

After hearing this I decided to carefully watch what I was telling myself. I replaced thoughts such as ‘I can’t do this’ and ‘My writing sucks’ with ‘I’m making progress’ and ‘I’m doing the best I can and my writing will evolve and get better. This is a work in progress!’.

2. Visualise yourself taking action

Studies have found that visualisation makes a difference to professional athletes’ performance, so why don’t we as students practice doing it as well?

Practice visualising yourself taking the actions that need to be taken (e.g. see yourself typing up your work on your laptop, organising your files and being able to access articles/materials with ease).

This simple strategy helps you to stay focus on what needs to be done. As Jesse Jackson said

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it”.

3. Small actions add up

My mum recently said to me ‘Jane, every action is a cause which has an effect! If you put in the action, you’ll get the results!’. What great advice mum!

Often we can get bogged down and feel overwhelmed/stressed by the enormity of the things we need to do (e.g. writing an 11,000 word thesis). I had to regularly remind myself that even if I wrote only one sentence each day, eventually all those sentences were going to add up to my 11,000 word limit.

But I was really committed to finishing my thesis on time and doing a good job, so in February I set myself a goal to write 500 words a day. This meant that if I stuck to my goal then my draft thesis would be written in 22 days. I said to myself ‘It doesn’t matter how bad the writing is, just type up 500 words’. This was a very empowering activity as it forced me to be in action.

I read somewhere recently that worry disappears in the face of action. So next time you start worrying about an assignment or exams, force yourself to do something, however small it might be.

4. Get some comrades and spend time with them

There’s something really comforting and energising about spending time with others who are going through or have gone through the same painful experience as you.

I found that it made a huge difference to be able to talk to other students who were doing their honours projects or had completed an honours project in previous years. A lot of these people gave me motivating pieces of advice such as ‘You’re going to feel so good once you finish this project! We know it’s tough but just stick at it!’ as well as practical advice/tips (e.g. “Make sure you don’t leave your referencing until the last minute!”)

I was told by one of my lecturers about this idea of getting together with other honours students and having regular writing sessions each week (where you would all sit around at a table and write for an hour or so). Whilst I never did this for my honours project, I have done this in previous years with friends when preparing for really difficult exams. Getting together with others can turn boring, stressful tasks into a fun, playful ones.

5. Remind yourself that this won’t go on forever

I see a lot of students that are really overwhelmed and want to throw in the towel at this point in the year in regards to their studies. If you’re a student, remind yourself that this won’t go on forever, that everything changes and all you need to do is just keep taking action.

STUDENT HEALTHY TIPS

Sometimes, amid classes, studying, homework, meetings and maintaining a social life, college students forget to maintain their health. Though some students may not think they need to worry about healthy habits, developing healthy habits now will make it easier for students to stay healthy throughout their lives. Here are 10 tips for college students to stay healthy:

1. Eat Right

Eating a healthy diet can help boost students’ immune systems, help students to maintain a healthy weight and can improve their overall health. Sometimes it may seem difficult to eat healthy in college when your meal choices consist of the cafeteria or fast food restaurants, but there are easy ways to make adjustments in your eating habits. First, always eat breakfast. This may be difficult when you’re rushing out the door to get to that 8 a.m. classes, but grabbing a granola bar or banana goes a long way in keeping you from overeating throughout the day. Also, never skip meals. Again, the typical day of a college students is usually nothing but typical, but you always have time to grab a healthy salad or sandwich from the dining hall. For those late-night cravings during all-nighters, try healthier alternatives to your favorite late-night foods. For example, get pizza with whole wheat crust, vegetable toppings instead of meat and low-fat cheese. Snacking can also be a great way to keep your appetite in check throughout the day. Snacking can stop “mindless eaters” and those who eat for comfort. Keep things like pre-cut vegetables and fruit, nuts, pita bread or string cheese on hand so you aren’t tempted to buy unhealthy snacks. If nothing else, keep these three things in mind when choosing foods: moderation, variety and balance. Try keeping a good balance of dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and protein every day.

2. Exercise

Fitting exercise into a busy college schedule can be difficult, but most college campuses make it easy for students to get exercise. One of the easiest ways to get exercise is to walk to class. Depending on your class schedule, this could add anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour of exercise every day. Most colleges offer physical fitness classes and intramural sports programs, so take advantage of these for a fun way to get exercise. Also, most colleges offer free or reduced memberships to gyms. This is definitely a perk that ends after graduation, so take advantage of this now.

3. Get enough sleep

Though you may be tempted to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam or stay out until 3 a.m. partying with friends, make sure you don’t make that a habit. Sleep deprivation can lead to reduced brain function, fatigue, headaches and weight loss or gain. College students need between seven and nine hours of sleep and getting this amount can improve overall health. To stay rested throughout the day, try taking a short nap during the day, try to stick to a schedule, try to keep your room dark and quiet before bedtime and avoid drinking caffeine, eating and drinking right before bed.

4. Wash your hands

With flu season just around the corner, washing your hands can be a savior for college students who can’t afford to miss class because of the flu. College students are always in close contact with others: through classes, living situations with roommates, walking around campus, and it is very easy to catch colds or viruses. Studies have shown that simple hand-washing can help prevent a large number of illnesses. Wash your hands before meals, any time you will be touching your eyes, nose or mouth, or if you’ve been around others who are sick.

5. Don’t smoke

Everyone has heard the many life-threatening risks smoking poses, and even smoking occasionally can still put you at risk for ailments like lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. For those looking to quit, check out your student health center for programs to assist you.

6. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks

Though caffeinated beverages like soda and energy drinks can be beneficial when studying or doing late-night homework, they are ultimately harmful in the long run. The combination of caffeine and sugar in these drinks causes you to crash and feel bad later. If you need an energy boost, try eating foods high-protein, high-fiber foods.

7. Get a flu shot

This is one of the easiest ways to avoid the flu and stay healthy through the winter. Many colleges offer flu shots and screenings for reduced prices, usually under $25. Though it may still be expensive for those on a tight budget, getting a shot now will be much better and cheaper in the long run than getting the flu later.

8. Drink lots of water

Staying hydrated can help your concentration and keep you from overeating. It also replenishes your body and gives you more energy throughout the day. Always choose water instead of soda, and bring water with you while you walk to class. Also, to cut down on the cost, buy a water filtration pitcher and a re-usable water bottle instead of plastic bottled water.

9. Relax

College students are usually pretty stressed with classes and exams, but relaxing and having down-time is essential to staying healthy. Stress can cause numerous problems and getting too run-down can adversely affect your health. The easiest way to relax is to create a routine and give yourself regular breaks. Also, make sure you make time to hang out with friends and de-stress by reading a book, watching your favorite television show or picking up a hobby.

10. Wear sunscreen and avoid tanning

With spring break less than six months away, thousands of college students will be hitting the beach. While spending a little time in the sun isn’t always a bad thing, make sure you protect yourself. Wear sunscreen every day, especially when you know you will be in the sun, and make sure to reapply sunscreen every two to three hours to ensure you will be protected. Also, avoid tanning beds at all costs. Though you may want to extend that summer tan into the winter, the risk of skin cancer is not worth it. With all the sunless tanners out there these days, you can still keep your summer glow without putting yourself at risk.

STUDENT BUSINESS IDEAS

  

It’s no secret that today’s college graduates struggle with joblessness and underemployment in record numbers. And with the price index for college tuition climbing almost 80% in the last 10 years, many of these grads find themselves crippled by loan payments as well.

To help ease the burden, a number of college students are opting to launch their own startups while still in school. Not only does starting a business limit debt liability, but it also allows students to benefit from practical business experience as well as the insight and support of their college professors, all while taking advantage of marketing opportunities that come with living on a college campus.

Here are five super start up ideas for college students looking to make ends meet.

1. Tutoring

The savvy entrepreneur knows that the business you launch should reflect your unique skill set. As a college student, you may want to consider tutoring other students in your area(s) of expertise.

While many schools offer free tutoring, these services are often available on a limited schedule. By starting a private tutoring business, you can offer sessions in the evenings and late at night when college students are often cramming.

Of course, once your tutoring business takes off, you can target a wider market. If you live in a college town, consider posting fliers in local libraries and shops; many parents would love to find a current college student who can help their high schoolers with application essays. You can also advertise your services online and through social media, or you can simply solicit referrals from people around campus. And because tutoring businesses have little to no overhead, almost all your income will be profit.

2. House and Apartment Cleaning

College students aren’t exactly known for their cleanliness. However, if you are skilled with a scrub brush, you may be able to earn a small fortune cleaning apartments and houses around campus.

Start by offering your services to friends, family and university faculty, and expand to the larger community once you’ve built a reputation. With many of the larger cleaning companies charging high rates for their services, college students may be able to get a jump on the competition by offering lower prices.

Another benefit of a cleaning business is that it requires little to no startup costs. Just store a few cleaning supplies in your dorm room, or ask customers to supply their own products in exchange for a lower price point. If your business takes off, you can even consider taking on other students as staff and expanding your services to a commercial setting.

3. Transportation and Delivery

If Uber drivers earn cash by providing travel services within their communities, then why can’t the average college student do the same? Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, so in a sense, simply becoming an Uber driver makes a college student a small business owner. But there are seemingly innumerable opportunities for transportation-based businesses.

If you own a car and live in an area where public transportation leaves something to be desired, consider launching a transportation and delivery business. From taking students to the local Target, to delivering takeout from nearby restaurants, the possibilities in the transportation industry are virtually endless.

If you’re capable of lifting a few pounds, you can also consider expanding your services to help students move in and out of campus apartments and dorms. With the average move costing $1,170, your profits can add up fast.

Unlike the first two startup ideas, however, transportation businesses may require considerable startup costs and overhead. On top of that, many jurisdictions require specific licenses and insurance coverage for commercial transportation services; as such, be sure to check with your local chamber of commerce or transit authorities for compliance and licensing requirements before launching a commercial transportation business.

4. Web Design and Development

Tech majors, take note: college students can earn serious income by starting a web design and development business. From simple projects like logo designs, to complete website revamps, various opportunities exist for the web designer who is skilled in HTML and other site-building platforms. And if you already have the computer and necessary software, startup costs tend to be minimal.

For the truly ambitious, you might want to team up with other students to launch your own site or application. This will require a significant commitment in terms of hours, startup costs and overhead, but as the college-aged founders of Facebook, Google and Apple will tell you, a chance at success in the tech industry is definitely worth it. And even for those non-tech-savvy students, simply having an idea and a buddy with development skills can translate to tech success.

If you're just starting off as a freelance designer or developer, start by advertising to your professors and fellow students who may have parents or other relatives in need of website help. After you’ve earned a few great testimonials, you can expand your reach to the larger community. As an added bonus, you can do the majority of the design work from the comfort of your own dorm room.

5. Marketing

Like tech students, marketing, advertising and even creative majors can get their careers started early by offering services to local shops and businesses. Even savvy writers and art majors can offer design or copy services to create marketing materials for locals.

You may want to start by creating a webpage and social media profiles that highlight your skills. Then, you can reach out to local businesses to offer services ranging from social media management, to blog writing, to logo design, to AdWords management and more.

Students may also want to consider affiliate marketing, in which businesses offer commissions for word-of-mouth and online leads or sales. Affiliate programs can be found online through sites like Amazon Associates,Commission Junction, LinkShare and ShareASale. 

6. Personal Training

Anyone who’s set foot on a college campus knows that the meal offerings can be less than stellar. With all the carbs and late-night snacks they’re consuming, students are often seeking easy ways to lose a few pounds. If you’re a health and fitness aficionado, you may want to consider starting a personal training business based in your college campus.

From holding early morning yoga classes on the quad, to helping students make a plan for better eating, you can earn extra cash while contributing to the greater health of your peers. And because many trainers operate out of their clients’ homes, you won’t need to spend your hard-earned cash on office space.

With tuition rates skyrocketing, many college students are struggling to make ends meet while earning their degrees. Instead of taking on thousands of dollars in student loans, consider starting one of the above businesses to help support yourself during college. Not only will you finish school with less debt and extra cash, but you can also add this experience to your resume for an invaluable leg-up on the competition come graduation.

10 MISTAKES THAT CAN COST YOUR FIRST CLASS DEGREE

Obtaining a first class takes a great deal of hard work, consistency, intelligence but most importantly discipline. Commit these errors and your chances of getting a first class will be very slim if not nil.

1. Womanizing – This is not about having a committed girlfriend in school which can even be very distracting. This is referring to keeping strings of girlfriends while in school, or pursuing anything in skirt. I am not speaking for or against womanizing in school. But womanizing is the quickest way of ensuring that your dream of graduating with a first class vanishes into thin air as your attention towards your academic studies will be greatly divided.

2. Not starting well – Except UNIBEN which notably operates CGPA system that is based on percentage depending on undergraduate level, all other universities operate a cumulative system based on credit load of individual courses. Most first class graduates build a solid foundation in the first 2 years in school. Thereafter, they ensure they do not fall below the boundary. Not having a high CGPA in your first 2 years means that you will not have any buffer during tough academic times, as the going may get tougher as you progress and your CGPA may become progressively lower. Your academic standing after your first 2 years can make or mar your chances of graduating with a first class. In addition, having a high CGPA may help build you gain respect amongst students or even lecturers who may be careful when marking your scripts so as not to make mistakes.

3. Placing less significance on small unit courses – Yes, some courses may carry smaller credit units but they count. Such courses may be electives and general courses. Cumulate all those courses and you will surprised about how big the effect can be. Every ‘A’ grade matters especially if you just on the edge, and there may be moments when it is the smaller unit courses that keep you above the boundary. One of the critical moments that defined my final CGPA was a 2-unit course that dropped my CGPA from a potential 4.51 to a 4.47 in my penultimate semester.

4. Not studying hard enough – I need not say much about this. Studying hard does not necessarily mean spending long hours reading in classes.  Studying hard involves studying with high level of intensity and depth within a study period. The difference between a first class student and others is the attention to detail when studying. I use myself as an example. I remember that even though I sometimes spent hours reading, I was always too lazy to solve sample problems. In many cases, I overestimated my level of assimilation. I sometimes got away with it in exams but it cost me a few important A’s which would have made significant differences in my final CGPA.

5. Not taking internship and project work seriously – SIWES (internship) is mainly for science and engineering students. Internship has a combined credit load of about 12 – 15 units depending on the course and the institution. Imagine what damage a ‘B’ can do a first class student! You don’t necessarily have to work for a top company as an intern. Sloppiness in filling log books, poorly written internship report, and inadequate preparation towards defence of industrial attachment are enough to cost you an ‘A’ grade.

Project and practical works also carry significant credit load as well. Practical work can be particularly tedious, and undisciplined students can be lax about it.

6. Allowing the opinion of mediocre students influence you – Average students will always be negative about their academic environment. They will talk about how tough it is to graduate with a 2.1 much less a first class. They will complain about how tough the courses or the lecturers are. They will remind you about the failure rate in the past. They will play the victim when they fail exams. They will congratulate themselves on how ‘lucky’ they are to escape a carryover with an E grade. They will continually demonize the school environment and their department. They will never say anything but positive things about the school.  They will criticize everyone but themselves. Feed your mind with such thoughts from them and kiss goodbye to your dreams of graduating with a first class.

7. Not seeking help / information – Not seeking information can be harm your chances of finishing with a first.  Information gathering is important in the pursuit of a first class. Having the right set of past questions, exam materials, handbooks, textbooks, etc. matters a lot. Most Nigerian lecturers have different handbooks, textbooks or online materials they are comfortable with. They often set exams from these handbooks and textbooks. First class students are aware of these and sought to get the necessary information.

Forget secondary school days when you can be completely independent and isolated. In the university, you will likely encounter academic challenges one way or the other, you matter how good you are. You will need the help of others who are equally good. Build high walls around you and it’s almost a certainty that you won’t graduate with a first class.

8. Helping others during exams – I have seen and read about how potential first class students make this mistake that can deprive them of not just their dream grade but their entire  aspiration. A lot of people look up to first class students to help them during exams, not minding the distraction it may cost them. Some even make monetary requests for first class students to write exams on their behalf. Time after time, brilliant students keep falling for this trap without thinking of the consequence of being expelled or rusticated.

In many cases, first class students already have good reputations amongst their fellow students and lecturers, and being caught teaching in exams can soil that reputation.

9. Not attending classes – I have seen many that graduate with  2.1 that ‘stabbed’ classes on a regular basis. But I am yet to see or hear of a genuine first class student/graduate that deliberately missed classes frequently at least in their last 2 years of study. They attend classes because 1) They want to listen to the salient points made by the lecturers so that they can understand better and prepare well for tests and exams. Attending classes is one way of getting information 2) First class students are perceived to represent the department and generally have a good image. Not attending classes can damage their reputation 3) Many lecturers take attendance seriously and allocate marks to attendance 4) There can be impromptu tests and classworks during classes.

You want to graduate with a first class but you keep skipping classes? Then think twice.

10. Not taking care of your health– Some, in the bid to get a first class, spend almost all their time and energy reading. They are always in class reading or attending one tutorial or the other, and they often do overnight reading not minding the fact that their body needs to be catered for. Consequently, they experience frequent health breakdowns, and this can cause serious setbacks in their dream to achieve a first class. Nothing can be more frustrating that falling ill in an academic session. Wanting to have a first class does not mean that you cannot eat well, rest when necessary, relax, play games and manage stress. Nurture your health. Health is wealth.

TIPS ON GETTING FIRST CLASS DEGREE

Every student will have a dream on getting the first class degree. Here are some top tips on snagging the best grades in university.

1. You need a minimum level of natural brilliance.

You know yourself probably better than others. The first step is to discover your own academic ability. You can have an idea about this by looking at the grades you made in lower levels of education (elementary school, high school, A levels etc). Most times, if you did very well in those stages, you stand a good chance of repeating same – or doing better – in the university. If your performance at those levels was not outstanding, but you know deep inside you that it was below your potential, you can still go ahead to pursue a first-class degree.

2. Do you have interest in the course you want to study or have just been admitted to study?

It must be a course you are comfortable with and passionate about. This keeps the dream of getting a first-class degree going.

3. Look for students in higher levels in your department who are in the first-class bracket.

Make friends with them. Ask for mentorship. Ask them how to go about each course, how they did their own. 

4. Develop a positive mindset that you can do it.

Don't listen to prophets of doom that tell you that you can never get a first-class degree. This is very common in African universities. Please don’t listen to people that instill fears in you.

5. Take your department’s handbook that shows all courses you are to offer from year one to final year.

Write down the courses, set a target of say 4.70 (in a 5 point system) or 3.75 (in a 4-point system) for yourself, and calculate what you need to score in each subject to make the targeted CGPA or GPA. Break it down further into semesters. At the beginning of each semester, set a sub-target.

6. Choose your electives wisely.

At the early years, go for the "quick-win" elective courses even if they're the least rich. At higher levels, you may begin to rank value of elective over cheapness.

7. Learn the art of taking exams.

Study the course takers. At the beginning of each course, ask your immediate seniors what the lecturer likes. This will give you an idea about how to approach exams.

8. Be an all-rounder.

Don't say you're only good in calculation and not theory. You have to learn how to be good in theory too. If it involves cramming, so be it. Being very weak in one aspect can hamper your chance of graduating with a first-class degree. 

9. Target being the highest scorer in each course in your class.

At the beginning of every course, set a target to score the highest in the course among your classmates.

10. Bear in mind that a first-class degree will provide you a better employment or scholarship opportunity when you graduate.

The mere knowledge of this will make you want to make sacrifice now so as to enjoy later.

STUDENT TIME MANAGEMENT

Most students find that their greatest challenge in adjusting to college life and to succeeding in the classroom is in managing their time effectively. This is especially true for community college students who often work long hours. Adult students deal with the additional issues of child care and family and home responsibilities.

When evaluating your schedule, or how you spend your time, you also need to consider your goals and priorities. What is most important in your life, right now-- your family, friends, school, hobbies, or other activities? As you look at how you spend your time, ask yourself if this matches your priorities.

Even though attending class and completing assignments is a top priority for most students, many find that they are not allowing enough time for their studies. On the average, students should spend about 2 hours of study for each hour of class time. For example, if you are carrying 12 credits in a semester, you should allow 24 hours per week for study (this includes time for reading, writing papers, preparing projects, and for test preparation).

If you are finding it difficult to locate the time you need to study, or that there are conflicts among the various demands on your time, you may need to give greater consideration to your goals. By getting clear on your goals, it will be easier to decide how to spend your time. You'll find that you can more easily put off other things and set aside the time you need for studies, if you know how it will help you to achieve your educational or career goals. Ask yourself:

Why are you in college?

What are your educational goals?

What are your career goals?

You might have all the time in the world, but if you don't use it wisely, it won't help you to meet your goals. Procrastination is a problem for many students. 

The following are tips to help you deal with this issue:

Clear your schedule. Don't overextend yourself. Recognize that your obligations and resulting stress are as important as other people's needs. Set limits around being interrupted or rescheduling your work time to accommodate others. Omit or reschedule some of your other obligations. You want to give full concentration to your studies without feeling guilty about what you're NOT doing.

Get motivated. Create a work area that is free from distractions and commit to staying there for at least one to two hours. If you get side-tracked, remind yourself how this activity will help you to meet your goals.

Prioritize. What has to be done first? When is it due? What is worth more in terms of your grade? What is worth more in terms of your personal, educational, or career goals?

Make sure you understand the task. Ask questions. Get help if you need it.

Break down the task into chunks. Estimate how much time you'll need to complete the task. Don't try to do it all at one time. Break it down so that it's "do-able" and not so overwhelming. Stay up-to-date on assignments to help avoid overload.

It doesn't have to be perfect. Some people are so afraid that they won't perform perfectly, they won't do anything at all. Make sure you understand the expectations of your instructor. Then evaluate how important the task is and what level of performance is acceptable to you. Then just do it!

When you really hate it, try to make it as enjoyable as possible. Work on this task first, while you have more energy. Reward yourself when you complete certain aspects of the task. Study with a friend.

STUDENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

College is also synonymous with young people assuming a greater responsibility for managing their own money – away from the reliable security of mom and dad's wallet.

These six easy tips will help college students make the grade when it comes to forming a strong foundation for money management.

1. Create a budget. This is incredibly important. List monthly income sources, including savings, wages and parental allowances, and then write down estimated expenses for the month. It isn't easy to identify college living expenses in advance, but you should try. Take costs such as school supplies, food outside your meal plan, personal care items and laundry into account. Then, try managing your budget and tracking expenses using an online personal finance management tool like Mint.com, which helps you easily create and stick to a budget.

2. Separate wants from needs. Is RM50 per week for gas a "need" or a "want?" How much should you budget for non-meal plan food? How much will laundry cost? After a few months on campus and tracking expenses, it becomes easier to distinguish wants from needs and put a plan into action. Some students give themselves a weekly cash allowance rather than carry a debit card, and when that week's allowance is gone, they wait until next week for more "wants."

3. Set up a checking account. Banks usually cater to college students by offering free checking and saving accounts, which allows students to avoid fees on withdrawals or fund transfers. Shop around to find a bank with convenient ATMs near campus to eliminate out-of-network charges. And keep in mind that when an out-of-state check arrives (say, from grandma), it may take a few days to clear, so keep an eye on the account balance before spending against it.

4. Use, don't abuse, credit cards. In 2012, 70 percent of undergraduate students had at least one credit card, according to the International Journal of Business and Social Science. College is a great time to start building credit (which is crucial for leasing an apartment, purchasing a vehicle and even landing a job post-graduation), but it's easy for many to amass a large amount of debt while in school. It's important to understand the difference between credit building and overextending. If you don't know, visit a business professor during office hours and ask!

5. Do your homework on loans and financial aid. College graduates tend to have a difficult time balancing ever-growing student loan payments against declining wages. Understand what the exact size of your student loan debt will be upon graduation, and come up with a plan for how you will pay it back. Even if it involves moving back home for a bit (to preserve your sanity, give yourself a specific timeline for when you plan on moving out), it will be worth it in the end.

6. Shop smart for textbooks. Textbooks are one of the biggest college expenses – a brand new edition of a biology book can cost upward of RM200. Bypassing the campus bookstore at the start of each semester is an easy way for college students to save an abundant amount of money. Invest in a Kindle or iPad and download your books – they are less expensive that way. Or look for books in used bookstores or online. Even with shipping costs, the price can turn out to be significantly cheaper.

These six easy tips will help college students make the grade when it comes to forming a strong foundation for money management.