Is having a job in college really a good idea?

Yes, if you pay attention to some key factors when job hunting. A job in college has the potential to open a lot of doors for you in the future by giving you real-world experience, strengthening your work ethic, anbuilding your connections. And then of course, if you have the paying off of those big scary loans looming in your future, it always helps to start saving early– an added bonus to having a job in college. But if you pick the wrong job, it can be overwhelming and damaging to your overall college experience. So here’s a list of what to look for in a college job if you want to reap the benefits and avoid the consequences.

Tips on finding a job that will enhance your college experience:

1. Look for a job that’s relevant to your field of study. Are you pursuing a career in accounting? Consider being a part-time bank teller. A career in law? You can often find jobs as an office assistant at a firm. Fashion merchandising? Look at openings in retail/sales at boutiques or clothing stores around you. Science or medicine? Research lab assistant jobs. The job might not be glamorous or exactly what you’re hoping to do in the future, but it’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at your field of interest and at least give you a starting place to build off of.
2. Make sure the hours are flexible. Being able to fit your job into your schedule instead of fit your schedule into your job is key. Before deciding how many hours you can work and on what days, remember to consider more than just when you have classes: think about what clubs you’re involved in, how many hours of homework you typically have, how much “personal” time you need in a week, your sleep schedule… Check with your potential employer to see if they’re willing to work with you and your hours around stressful times like midterms or finals.
3. Consider the location of your job. In general, it’s a bad idea to work anywhere that’s far away from campus– especially if you have to depend on public transportation. The commute time is time you’re not getting paid for, so it weighs on your schedule and is usually quite stressful. Plus, it’s a bonus to work on or around your campus because then you get to know the area better.
4. Factor in the life skill benefits. A job that involves writing, speaking, customer relations, organization, management, and the like will not only build your resume for future job positions but will also aid in you all areas of life — especially your school work. So even if you can’t find a job that perfectly fits with what you’re studying, a job with “life skills” can still be very beneficial to your college experience.
5. Don’t disregard the “work study”. Are you one of the many students with work study included in your financial aid package? Take advantage of this! It means you’re more likely to find a job because employers receive a large subsidy when they employ work study students. You’re also more likely to get a job because there are many jobs out there that are specified just for work study students, so that narrows the field in your favor. A work study job usually means that your employer will be considerate of the fact you’re a student and be more flexible. Another benefit of work study is that the earnings you receive will not affect your future financial aid eligibility, since it is a need-based program.
6. Pay attention to who you’re working with. A job where you meet a lot of people and can get to know your employers is great because it’ll give you connections and strong references for future jobs. It can also be an added benefit if you get to work with other people your age, because a job can be a place where you network and meet people interested in the same things you are.

Bottom line, it’s not all about how big the paycheck is.

Certainly, a job is important because of the funds it provides. But don’t just pick one job over the other because it pays more. There’s a lot more you can get out of a job than just money, so take your time and do your research in order to make the most out of your college job.

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Believe it or not, your near-empty bank account is a gift in the dating world.

Scratch fancy restaurant dinners and over-priced tickets to the movies– how dull, unoriginal, and expensive. An excessive amount of money makes it altogether too easy to use elaborate, meaningless gestures to try and “woo” someone. As it turns out, what you lack in money you can make up for (and then some) in thoughtfulness and creativity.

Ideas to wake up your (cheap) inner romantic:

1. Get lost in a records store. Sharing music together is always a memorable experience. Most music stores have a means for listening to the music for free, so enjoy the vast possibilities of the music selection. Show him/her some of your favorites, listen to some of theirs, and then find new music you both like together. This is a great date for getting to know each other, because typically you can tell a lot by someone’s taste in music. Plus, take note of their favorite bands/artists for the days when you have a slightly bigger bank account and can afford to take your date out to a concert– always a winner for the music-lover. As for ideas that fit with a budget, you can make the memory last longer by making a classic “mixed tape” or CD with all the songs you already own that you noticed they liked when you showed them at the store.
2. Go for a personal picnic. First, figure out your date’s ideal location. Is it a lookout spot with a view of the mountains or the city? A big quiet field? A charming park? Also, pay attention to his/her favorite snacks and drinks and bring them with. Peach Snapple Ice Tea? Hot apple cider? Dr. Pepper? Chocolate chip cookies? Pita bread and humus? Strawberries? It’s easy to get snacks and drinks for two for cheap. Noticing the details shows you care and makes the date much more than a cliche picnic.
3. Explore the arts. A lot of cities have days where you can visit galleries and museums for free. I know that both Portland and Seattle do this every first Thursday of the month. Research things like this that your city has to offer– local events like art walks, craft markets, food fairs, concerts in the park… Usually local events are cheap and unique to the town/city they’re in, which makes for a fun time that’s different from a typical date.
4. Teach together, learn together. What does your date like to do for fun? What do you like to do for fun? Have days dedicated to showing the other a piece of your world. If you like photography, take your date out shooting pictures with you. Introduce him/her to the basics and let them give it a try. If your date likes soccer, go to a soccer game together or play a little one-on-one and let them teach you a thing or two. By developing an appreciate for each others’ interests and hobbies, you’ll grow closer and find many more activities to enjoy together.

Remember, it really is the thought that counts.

Mixed tapes and picnics have all been done many, many times before. The key to making these inexpensive options special and memorable is by personalizing them to fit your date. This means all these suggestions are a starting place to get you thinking, but you’ll have to take each one and personalize it with the things you know your date likes and you’re good to go.

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If there is one thing I know…

It is that a bad grade on a test is not the worst thing. But with these tips, you won’t need to worry about that.

1. Adopt study strategies that worked for you in the past, and stick with them.
2. Know your professor and what they did on tests prior. Whether it’s thinking back to tests you’ve taken with them or talking to students who took the course before you, figure out what the methods to their madness are.
3. Look at how you did on tests in the past in the same course. What did you do well on? What did you not do so well on? Studying this information can save you time, and allow you to study exactly what it is you struggle with.
4. The day before the test, when your head is clear, make a list of all the materials you need to bring with you and make sure to arrive early. Hurrying will make you feel rushed and unprepared.
5. Be confident and relax. If you feel anxious, take several deep breaths and remind yourself that you have prepared well and will do well. On your way to the test don’t talk to other students about the test, it will only make you more nervous.
6. Read the directions on the test carefully. This is obvious, but essential!
7. If there is time when you are finished, quickly run through your work and make sure everything is completed and you have done all that you can.
8. Strategically answer the questions. To work up your confidence, answer the easiest questions first with the least point value to lead you to the more difficult questions that will have been worked for. For essay tests, broadly outline your answer and then put it into an essay format.
9. On essay tests, make sure to have a strong beginning sentence, and to start each of your body paragraphs with key points from your introduction.
10. Don’t rush to leave the class the moment you’ve finished your test. Go back and review vocabulary, grammar and/or mismarked questions. There is a tendency of feeling rushed once others have completed their tests and are leaving the classroom, but don’t give in!

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