College Advice?

[Blu]

Honestly oxy, the advice by several members is quite sound. There's three tidbits of advice that I wish I had really heeded when I was in college, and one is along Bone's last thought he mentioned. Working really does make a difference in the lens of structuring time well. I found that it was easier to make and adhere to a schedule. Habits often take around 21 days to form, and if I stuck to a study plan alongside what was already structured into my day, like a workout, setting time aside for friends, etc, it really helped. It helps with some impulse control too, like knowing when you need to buckle down to study and know when you need to take a break. My last semester of undergrad before student teaching, I had the toughest classes, yet my highest GPA. I was elated, and it was a great time to boot.

The other piece I'd offer, is that if you do end up having to take loans out for your education, wherever you work, contribute at least 25% to your existing debt. So many students can knock down huge principle on their student loans over the course of four years, if they consistently work. Whether it be their summer jobs, etc, keep paying down whatever principle you owe prior to graduation. That way, when you're looking to get settled, that loan will be significantly lower than it would be if you didn't bother throwing a hundred dollars or two at it while you were in school. My dad offered that advice once, and I never really saw the wisdom in it because I was too caught up in the excitement of it all.

If you do take out loans, it really can work out, if you manage your finances well. Once I graduated, I focused solely paying down my school debts while I was young, single, and fresh into my first paying professional job. Didn't once think about paying the bare minimum, after I took out what I budgeted for the month in cash, put 25% of my check into savings, the rest went into my loan payments.

I graduated in December 2008 with my bachelor's. I enrolled in my master's in Fall 2009 around the time I got my first job in my field. I graduated with my master's in December 2011. By 2013, I paid off all of my loans. It was an accomplishment I didn't expect to have done before my 30's, let alone my mid 20's. Seriously, find a budget program once you graduate that works for you. I personally use Dave Ramsey's principles, and there's plenty of others out there. Find one and stick to it when you're in school, out of school and searching, or actively working.

[chupon]

Make your own decision.

[Forlorn Drifter]

a lot more just find like-minded folks to hang out with, clubs or groups to join, and so on. You're not likely to get that same kind of cluster of your peers afterward.

Yup, that's what I want to do. Drinking, smoking, partying the first 2 years got me in the position I'm in right now. I learned my lesson and tbh I'm over that lifestyle.

You do you man. I was just throwing it out because other people started mentioning sex in the thread, so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I haven't had those options, so I'm jumping on them when I get the chance... which is like once a semester, maybe.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I'm jumping on them when I get the chance

Do you mean this literally?

[Michi]

I'm jumping on them when I get the chance

Do you mean this literally?

Because if you do, I think we've finally pinpointed the exact reason why you have trouble getting a date.

[Forlorn Drifter]

Y'all are hilarious. I can't get a date because I'm ugly and have the social skills of a caveman.

[MrPopo]

Y'all are hilarious. I can't get a date because I'm ugly and have the social skills of a caveman.

Today's modern woman no longer responds to being clubbed on the head and dragged off.

[dsheinem]

Y'all are hilarious. I can't get a date because I'm ugly and have the social skills of a caveman.

Today's modern woman no longer responds to being clubbed on the head and dragged off.

Rather, many prefer going to the club and then taking some drags to mellow out afterward. Overall it is much less violent and enjoyable for all, but on the downside there's dancing involved.

[jp1]

Y'all are hilarious. I can't get a date because I'm ugly and have the social skills of a caveman.

Today's modern woman no longer responds to being clubbed on the head and dragged off.

How do you know this?

[Forlorn Drifter]

I'm just going to kill myself now.