College can be a tough business for most of us. First off, its very expensive and most likely you will need to go into deep debt in order to complete the 4 years of study. Or if you are getting an advanced degree, that debt might be more than you can handle. There are also challenges just getting thru each day of college life. The classes, the travel, the study, the debt, the worry, the pressure of getting good grades…many forces will weigh on your daily life. But you can overcome these with some very simple suggestions that I have listed below. Look them over… think they might help out a little?
– Save 33% of your college education!!! Sign up for and take as many credits as you can handle at one time. Most top universities charge you per credit, but only up to twelve credits. After that the rest of the credits in that semester are free. Taking eighteen credits per semester will leave you paying one-third less than your peers for the same education. 33% savings on a $75,000 annual fee = $25,000. THAT is a lot of money that you can use for something else…your own apartment, books, a bicycle etc. With 25K, you can do a lot.
– Choose your Major as soon as humanely possible. You should not consider going to college unless you have a good idea of the kind of career you want. Or at a bare minimum, at least have a general idea of what you might want to do or what makes you happy doing. Meet with a career counselor to find out more about your different options and take the time to do some research about different schools and programs.
– Don’t sabotage your exams by being hungry instead of concentrating on the task in front of you. When you are about to take a big exam, make sure you eat an adequate breakfast or lunch, but keep it a little light. Don’t go into a test hungry, or you’ll have a lot of trouble concentrating. Do not overeat either; however, so you don’t have to deal with an upset stomach. And also don’t forget to go to the bathroom before taking tests. The last thing you want is to have to pee like a racehorse in the middle of an exam. How well do you think you’re going to do if your concentration has been hijacked by the restroom, instead of acing the darn test.
– If you find yourself falling behind in a class, do not hesitate to consult your professor. Check with your school’s faculty directory to find out his or her office hours. Make time to stop by an express your concerns. Your professor wants you to succeed and can direct you to the best resources.
– Save time and money – go to school using the bus. Taking a bus to school probably won’t take much longer than driving your car. Finding a parking spot on campus can often be time consuming. You no longer have to pay for gasoline or parking passes. This is also your way of saving the environment.
– When you enter your freshman year of college, don’t assume your status as a high school student will hold much weight with your peers. College gives you a clean slate as you leave your high school days behind. Remember that college is an entirely different experience than high school. Be prepared to try new things and experiences. 
– If you are staying on campus and you purchased a meal plan, make sure that you take advantage of it. Don’t leave any meals uneaten, particularly if they don’t roll over from semester to semester. Depending on the rules associated with your plan, you will probably be able to pick up what you want and take it with you. Therefore, if your friends are having a meal somewhere else, you can still join them without spending any extra money.
College isn’t easy, but it’s supposed to be a time in which you figure yourself out and find your path in life. Don’t be like those high-school grads who look at college as one long endless drunken orgy paid for by mom and dad.