Starting college usually involves moving away from home and getting a chance to discover your interests and redefine yourself. When you think about things you need for college you may automatically think about the long list of physical things you need to pack with you. Purchased goods aren’t the only thing that you need in order to succeed in college, though. Here are a few must-have items you can’t buy in a store.
1. Friends
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Many postsecondary students struggle with loneliness. Form an inner circle early on, participate in social activities, join groups that focus on your interests, and don’t go home on the weekends. Stay on campus so that you have more time to meet people and form a strong social network.
To help you log your memories forever, consider buying a digital photo storage device like ibi the smart photo manager. This photo storage device can be linked to your smartphone and automatically store individual photos you take of your new friends. You can also load some favorite photos of your family and high school friends as well so that you always have access to them.
2. Health Insurance
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Before you start school get health insurance quotes and pick a health plan. College students often struggle with illness. Living on campus will put you in close proximity to dozens of other students and you can be exposed to any sickness they get. If you’re on a budget you may not be eating well, and that can also lead to health issues. Make sure you have good health insurance before you leave home so that your insurer the cost of seeing a doctor if you do get sick.
3. Good Sleep
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College students are tempted to cut back on sleep for a number of reasons. One may be the urge to socialize and attend parties. You may also feel you need the extra time to complete assignments or study for an exam. It’s also possible that you have noisy neighbors who are keeping you awake. Lack of sleep is a serious issue affecting college students. It can cause you to lose focus during class and contribute to a range of health problems, including mental health issues. Make a habit of getting at least six hours of sleep each night. Buy earplugs and a good pillow that’s comfortable so that you can get your rest.
4. Organizational Skills
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College students often struggle to manage their time and money. You may find yourself rushing to complete assignments and study for exams. You may be tempted to skip classes to finish assignments, but this will just exacerbate the problem because you will be even further behind. Managing your time and your schoolwork is essential for your success. Budget your social time and your studying time. Overestimate how much time you think you need to complete a project. Finishing early is better than scrambling to complete it on time. Budget your sleep time as well. Apply these skills to your finances to ensure that you don’t run out of money.
5. Resources
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If you start college and find you’re struggling with homesickness and depression, you aren’t alone. Many students are negatively impacted by depression, anxiety, financial problems, and health issues when they start college. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the support systems in place on your college campus. You may have access to affordable medical care. Your school may also provide counselors or have a peer support system you can turn to for help. Make arrangements to see a financial planner to help you set up a budget. Don’t be afraid to ask for the help you need. That’s what these resources are there for.
6. Good Priorities
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We make decisions based on our priorities. Whether you choose to study or party can be influenced by whether you prioritize having fun or school. Rank your priorities so that you are focused on what matters most. Be aware of secondary priorities that need to be considered. Know that it’s okay to go out with friends after spending three nights studying in a row. Being rested and socially connected are important for your mental health. Good mental health can be just as crucial for your success as time studying. People with good priorities know how to balance them effectively for their overall well-being.
