Wow, what can I say about going to college in New York? It’s amazing! Such a wonderful experience and I’ve gotten to know some really amazing people!
During welcome week I was bombarded on facebook and around campus about “welcome week parties”! Do not attend. These parties are just a fun way to blow all of your money before classes even begin. I made the mistake of going to four of these parties, and now I’m struggling to eat because I have very little money. Lesson learned.
I had to remind myself that I am here for school, not just to have fun. As a college student, it is crucial that you utilize healthy consumer habits, finding cheap places to grab a bite, see a show, shop and even party. Assign yourself a specific amount of money each week that you are allowed to spend on each. And if you must party, find cheap or free places to go. Of course I should be saying “Don’t party, it’s bad!”…but this is college, it’s going to happen.
I’ve recently learned what it meant to budget your money wisely. I find myself going to restaurants that accept my school meal plan, and shopping at thrift stores (you can find some really amazing stuff there!), and to make the experience more enjoyable, I go with friends. It is of the utmost importance that you build a strong support group or group of friends who you can go to for any and everything. Trust me, college life is so much easier if you’re not alone. This is really helpful for those of you going to school in a state that you’ve never been to and have no familial connections, like me. New York is the greatest, but I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it without my college friends!