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Safety and Financial Tips for Young People Moving Out for the First Time

Jul 06, 2020

This is a guest post written by Chris Haymon From Adulting Digest

So, you’re moving out for the first time. Chances are you feel a mixture of excitement, anxiety, happiness, and sadness as you plan to venture out on your own. That’s normal since it’s such a big step for anyone to take in life. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate some of the negative emotions and protect yourself out in “the real world.” If you’re about to leave home for the first time, here are some tips that can help keep you safe and put you in a good financial position.

Establish Good Habits

You may have had it pretty easy living at home, not having to worry much about safety, cleaning responsibilities, and budgeting. If this is the case, the first thing you need to do is start forming good habits that will help you succeed; ideally, you will establish these habits before you move out. Think about what life will be like on your own, and start to pick up healthy habits to ease the transition, such as doing house chores, creating a budget, and waking up early. 

RELATED: 25 Free Apps That Will Make College Easier

Save Up for a Down Payment

Although you may want to jump into homeownership as quickly as possible, it’s very important to take this process one step at a time. Instead of a low down payment, which will result in higher monthly mortgage payments, take some time to save some money. That way, you can afford a higher document payment, which will result in a smaller home loan. It might take a little longer than you’d like, but you’ll end up saving money in the long run.

Pick a Safe Neighborhood

Choosing a safe place to live is half the battle when it comes to staying safe out on your own. Visit any area you’re considering, research the crime rates, and talk to people who live there to get a feel for the place. No matter how safe the neighborhood, you will want to consider investing in a quality home security system. 

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Look Into Life Insurance

Even though preparing will better your chances of living a safe and happy life, none of us knows what the future holds. That’s why it could be worth your time to inquire about life insurance. If you were to die unexpectedly, the right kind of life insurance policy can help your family by covering a good portion of funeral costs, medical expenses, and lost income. Plus, it’s easy to purchase life insurance these days, as you can buy a policy from home and use online calculators to figure out what kind of coverage will work best.

Use Credit Cards

There are advantages and disadvantages to using credit cards. Using debit cards can help keep you accountable to your budget because you will likely have to pay overdraft fees if you overspend. However, with the prevalence of cybercrime these days, it’s safer to use credit cards for transactions. This is because credit cards come with better fraud protection. If someone steals money off your debit card, it comes directly out of your bank account, and it can be a lengthy process to get that money back. Conversely, credit companies can quickly cancel any money you owe for unauthorized charges. 

RELATED: 15 Shocking Businesses You Can Start in College For The Low!

If You Lose Your Debit Card, Cancel It Immediately 

Nonetheless, using a debit card may sometimes be the most practical option. If you ever lose your debit card, however, it’s critical that you call your bank as soon as possible to have the card canceled. Thieves don’t need to know your PIN to spend your money, as a lot of establishments will run debit cards as credit with no signature required. 

Going out on your own is the start of a new chapter and, in many ways, it’s an opportunity to learn who you are. Make the most of it by developing good habits before you move out and choosing a home in a safe neighborhood. Also, considering life insurance will provide a cushion for your loved ones if you were to unexpectedly pass away. Finally, opting to use credit cards can help secure your money, and if you use debit cards, be sure to cancel them if you ever lose them. With these tips, moving out will feel like an adventure!

Article Link: https://www.collegeentrepreneur101.com/safety-and-financial/

12 Summer Bucket List Ideas for College & Grad Students

Jun 03, 2020

Even though your summer may be occupied with summer school, a job or an internship, it’s important to take time to enjoy your summer break, too. There’s so much fun to be had during the summer months and you don’t want to miss out on all of the memories and experiences that come along with it! Check out these summer bucket list ideas for college students, which will help you make the most of your summer break:

1. Go to concerts

2. Plan a stay-cation

3. Relax on a beach

4. Read some classics

5. Visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while

6. Get crafty

7. Take a road trip

8. Sleep under the stars

9. Learn a useful skill

10. Learn another language

11. Job shadow

12. Volunteer

Start volunteering for a cause you care about. Giving back will be sure to make you feel great about the way you spent your summer. Find yourself getting bored during your downtime this summer? Conquer boredom with these free-time fillers that happen to be free of charge as well.

Original Article: https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/the-12-summer-bucket-list-ideas-for-college-students

Finals Study Tips during Quarantine

May 04, 2020

With finals around the corner and all that is going on around us, finding the concentration to study can be difficult. We have put together a list of study strategies to help you find your focus.

Get in the right headspace

A lot of stress can come from finals, but preparing yourself for what is to come and focusing on the things you can control can make the difference. Consider the following actions to help you be successful during your study time.

• Find your sound. What do you like to listen to when you study? Listening to music can ease the tension of studying and help you concentrate. Whether it’s a calming playlist or your favorite lyrical jams, find what works for you. We recommend “Calm vibes” on Spotify or “Relaxing jazz for work and study” and “Mozart classical music for studying, concentration, relaxation” on YouTube.
• Cut the distractions. As much as you want to reply to that text message or give a heart to the lovely puppy picture on Instagram, find it in you to wait until you take a break. Distractions can make it difficult to focus on the task at hand. Turn off notifications when you begin studying, block websites that aren’t helpful, and put your phone on airplane mode or send a text to your friends that you’ll be temporarily unavailable so you can study.  
• Use free resources. Make an appointment with tutoring services, use virtual academic resources or connect with the Writing Center to get feedback on your writing. You can use Turnitin through Canvas to check for plagiarism and appropriate referencing for your final papers. 

Maximize your time

Time seems to be the only thing we have an overload of or none of these days, but if planned wisely, it could be used to your advantage. When it comes to studying, being strategic about how you spend your time can make all the difference. Here are some ways to maximize the time you've got. 

• Make a daily schedule for finals week. Include things like the days and times of your exams, meal times, study sessions and time for breaks.
• Plan out your study sessions. Rather than “studying from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," plan out what you will study during each hour of your study sessions on your schedule. We put together a sample schedule to give you some ideas.

• Split your study materials into subjects from difficult to easy. Are there subjects you are really good at? Do you struggle with others? Identify them and plan how much time you need to spend on each. If math is your forte, have a shorter study session to ensure you are good-to-go. If French class is a bit of a struggle, allocate a longer study period for that course. 

Remember, the important thing is to prepare yourself for each final one at a time, to focus your energy and use time to your advantage.

Try different study strategies

Make the most of how you study with these approaches to help you ace your exams.

• Color code your notes. It might sound silly, but the power of a red pen and a highlighter can go a long way. Go back through your notes and highlight any important themes or topics your professor voiced as being important. Use different colored pens for definitions, vocabulary and other important themes.
• Try flashcards for memorization. This can be especially helpful if you are in a language course or need to memorize dates. Write down keywords, themes and definitions for subjects you need to remember. For vocabulary, write the word on one side of the flashcard and its definition/translation on the other and the same for dates. Once you have a pile of cards practice, practice, practice. You can have your family or roommates quiz you or even take them with you while you go for a walk.
• Make your own study guide. If you had one piece of paper to take into your exam for help, what would be on it? Focus on creating a guide with major themes, vocab and other relevant information. Having a short, descriptive study guide gives you the chance to easily test yourself throughout the day.

It can feel like there is so much to do and too little time, but remember to take it one exam at a time. Trying these techniques and finding what works for you can make all the difference. You are almost there, take a deep breath and go get it, Buffs!

For a list of helpful resources, upcoming virtual events and more, visit colorado.edu/finals. For technology assistance, visit the OIT website.

Original Article: https://www.colorado.edu/today/2020/04/27/study-tips-times-quarantine