Tag Archives: college

Roommates, Student Life

Tips for Living with a Roommate for the First Time

If you’re going off to college for the first time and moving into university housing, in most cases you’ll be put into a room with at least one other student. From our experience, many students go into this situation blindly or ill-informed. This is why we’ve put together a few tips for you to avoid making many of the mistakes first-time students make when moving in with their roommate.

Email your new roommate before you move in. When you first get your roommate assignment, it’s a good idea to email them before you move in. In most cases your school will provide you with their email address. Be sure to introduce yourself in the email and tell them a little bit about yourself. While you should express a little bit about who you are, this is not the time for you to tell them about your “quirks”. Save that discussion for when you both move in because sharing this will most likely scare them. There is such a thing as TMI.

Find your roommate on Facebook. Most people today have a Facebook. You may want to check out your new roomie and friend them. You may get a little more insight into who they are. However, don’t get completely freaked out if you see something there that you may not like or agree with. You can’t judge a book by its cover.

Keep an open mind when you first meet your new roommate. Like we said before, you really can’t judge a book by its cover. Take some time to really get to know your roommate. It’s important that you two (or three) can at least get along.

Don’t expect to be best friends with your roommate. As we may have mentioned in some of our previous posts, it’s important to know that you may not be best friends with your new roommate(s). This is why you shouldn’t go into the situation believing that you will be “BFFs”. Your expectation instead should be able to get along with your roommate.

Establish room rules on the first day you both move in. Many schools will have their students fill these out on the first day you move in. While it may seem stupid, you may want to actually take this seriously. Remember: It is important, from the start, to establish how your room will be used and other expectations you and your roommate may have.

Be sure to communicate with one another. This is the most important part of getting along with your new roommate, but probably the most neglected. You should remember that open and honest communication is the best way to avoiding big blowups between you and your roommate.

While it seems like it will be difficult getting used to a new roommate, it actually isn’t too hard. Just remember to avoid judging a book by its cover, to keep an open mind, to set expectations for how your room will be used early on, and to communicate frequently and openly with your roommate. In these ways you can ensure that you and your roommate will have a smooth and easy transition into living with one another.

Articles we referenced . . .

http://www.collegeparents.org/members/resources/articles/how-help-your-college-student-prepare-living-roommate

http://powertochange.com/students/people/rmatedorm/

http://blog.storagechoice.com/2012/07/23/tips-for-living-with-a-roommate-for-the-first-time/

http://www.hercampus.com/dormlife/how-get-along-your-roommate-all-year

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Student Life

10 Tips for Surviving College

At JumpOffCampus, we remember what that was like:  the long nights of studying, the massive term papers, and the endless amounts of reading.  By mid-semester you start to wonder how you’ll ever make it through college.  Well, there really isn’t a lot to fear; the key to surviving college is building on certain skills that can make your life easier.  Here are some tips we think may help:

1.  Get good at time management.   Who doesn’t procrastinate?  However, it can hurt you when it comes down to finals and writing ten-page papers.  The best thing to do is create smaller deadlines for yourself.  This means that if you have a huge paper due next Friday, maybe you want to plan out when you’ll have your research done by, when you’ll have the outline done, when you’ll have your draft, and when you want to be officially done.  It sounds a little strange but by setting these smaller deadlines, it will help you get to the bigger one.

2.  Get good at organization.  In high school you may have been able to get away with turning in your homework one day late.  However, in college, this isn’t the case.  You want to make sure that you keep track of your assignments and their due dates.  Double check before you leave your dorm or apartment in the morning that you have all your assignments that you’ll need for your classes.  Also be sure to keep at least your desk neat so you can find your assignments easily.

3.  Find the right place to study.  You study spot should be a place where you can get the most work done.  That could be your room, the library or another spot like the coffee shop.  You just need to make sure that spot works for you.  Think about a time when you’ve been most productive:  Was the place where you were working quiet?  Were there a lot of other people around?  Maybe you don’t do well in complete silence or you do well with a lot of other people around.  You want to figure out what study environment is best for you.

4.  Watch your finances.  One of the biggest problems students can encounter when they go off to college is running out of money.  Running out of money doesn’t only mean that you won’t be able to go out to eat with your friends or go see that movie you’ve been dying to see, but that may also mean that you won’t have money for things like textbooks.  You want to be sure that you’re managing your finances and avoiding overspending.

5.  Make sure you have a good alarm clock.  While a phone alarm may be the most convenient, it may not always work.  Suppose the battery runs out while you’re sleeping and you sleep through your midterm.   Be sure to get an alarm clock that is loud enough to wake you up, and one that is reliable.

6.  Pay attention in class.  Seems pretty obvious, but is actually one of the things students seem to forget the most.  Class time is the most important time to be paying attention; this is the time that you’ll get important information related to the material or the assignments.  Be sure you pay attention to what your professors are saying.

7.  Take notes in class.  Maybe another of students’ biggest problems is not taking notes.  Like paying attention in class, it just seems obvious.  It doesn’t matter if your professor posts PowerPoint slides up online after class, you still want to make sure you take notes as they lecture as they will often not include things on their PowerPoint just to test to make sure you are paying attention and taking notes.

8.  Participate in class.  In most classes you will be graded on how often you participate, meaning either added to a class discussion or contributing an opinion or question.  It doesn’t matter if you’re shy; your professor will still grade you on whether you are participating or not.  Make sure that you contribute in class, and that you’re making informed and intelligent contributions (professors can tell by your comments if you haven’t read the material).

9.  Find a friend in each class who you can study with.  It’s really nice to have a study buddy who can help you out when you don’t understand something, help you if you forgot something, or give you notes when you’ve missed class.  You can do the same for them, and by doing this, it will actually help you to understand the material better too!

10.  Avoid cramming.  While sometimes it’s a necessity, it’s best to avoid cramming before a quiz or exam.  Plan out a study schedule ahead of time so you can take breaks and you don’t feel to overwhelmed.  In most cases, studying over a longer period of time and more frequently will help you do better.

As we mentioned in our post yesterday, college is meant to be one of the greatest times in your life.  You shouldn’t forget to have fun.  However, you should be sure to develop some strong skills and habits that will help you make it through to graduation.

Other articles we referenced:

http://www.collegesanduniversities.org/cuinsights/10-top-tips-for-surviving-college/

http://www.survivingcollege.com/how-to-survive-your-literature-class/

http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/10tips.html

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Student Life

Tips for Making the Most of Your College Experience

You’ve probably heard either your parents, your friends, or one of your family members say that “College is the greatest time in your life,” and they certainly aren’t wrong.  College is awesome in that you are living on your own for the first time, you are more independent, and you are given the opportunity to make a whole group of new friends.  However, with the college experience comes responsibilities.  This is why we’ve come up with a few tips on how to make the most of your college experience.

Join a student group or organization.  Especially if you join an organization that fits your major field, this can be a great way to build your resume.  In an article by  Sam Coren at StudentAdvisor.com, these types of groups offer you opportunities that you might not be able to learn in the classroom, like leadership and managerial experience.  This also shows that you can manage multiple tasks at once, and can demonstrate to a prospective employer that you actually did make the most of your time in college.

However, you won’t just get job experience from joining a student group.  You are also becoming connected with people who share at least one common interest with you.  In this way joining student groups will give you a chance to meet new people, especially if you’re typically a little shy.

Do an internship.  While working at the coffee shop near campus will pay your bills, you may also want to think about taking on an internship.  This is not only a great way to build job experience, but it can also help you decide what you want to do (or not do) for a career.  However, you should be aware that not all internships are paid (check out our previous post on internships here).

Consider studying abroad.  If you have the chance, you may want to consider studying abroad.  This type of experience will not only give you a chance to travel and receive college credit (one less class you have to take!), but it will also expose you to an entirely new culture, new place and a new group of people.

Get to know your professors.  According to Coren, you don’t need to have a problem or a question to visit your professors.  If your professor has office hours, you may want to just stop by to see what they are working on or talk with them about current events.  The relationships you build with your professors cannot only help you in their class, but it can also help you throughout the rest of your college career.  If you build good enough relationships with your professors, you may even be given valuable research opportunities, or these could be the people you turn to for recommendations for a job, graduate school, or internships.

While each of these are great opportunities for you to consider when you go off to college this fall, there are some other things you may want to consider to ensure that you don’t fall behind.

Go to class.  In an article by  Miranda Marquit on Money Crashers, she says the first most important thing students need to do is go to class.  Many students after about the third or fourth week of class start getting sick of getting up for an 8 am class, and so they stop showing up.  This is probably the biggest mistake you can make because 1) you’re paying for it, so it’s a waste of money if you don’t show up half the time; 2) more often that not, your professor is going to factor attendance into your grade, and 3) you’re going to miss a lot of information and assignments you’ll need to make it through the class.

Don’t overschedule yourself.  For some students, one of the biggest problems they run into is just not having enough time to do all of their homework, go to their internship, and go to work.  Some students, in fact, have more than one job at a time.  The key is to not overschedule yourself because if you do, you’ll end up losing out.  Make sure that your schedule doesn’t overload you so much so that you’re overtired all the time, you don’t have time to study for that big exam, or you never have time to do your homework.  You have to remember that you are a student first and foremost, so that means school comes first.

Have fun.  This is especially important; students need to make sure they have fun during college.  This should be one of the greatest times in your life and something you should look back on fondly.  In college you’re given more opportunities than ever, and you should really make the most of them.  While this should include making the most of your academic experiences, it should also include your social and personal experiences.  Don’t let yourself get too bogged down by the stresses associated with college life; make sure to take some time out for yourself to have fun.

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Budget-Friendly Ideas, College Planning, Finances, Housing Advice, Student Life

Cutting College Housing Costs

College can be expensive; as we’ve seen in the news recently, there are a lot of students struggling once they leave school to pay back their loans.  This is why as Mark Kantrowitz explained in our College Financial Planning series that it is important to try to cut costs where you can.

Campus housing may be one of these expenses that you consider to cut when you’re evaluating the cost of attendance. In an article we read by Emily Driscoll at Fox Business, she explains that these costs can place a great deal of financial stain on families.  In fact, according to College Board reports, the average cost of room and board for four-year public universities is $8,887 and $10,089 for private schools.  This is why we’ve put together a list of different options for students and their families looking to cut housing costs and save some money.

Compare housing packages.  According to Driscoll, if you’re looking for cheaper on-campus housing options, you may want to look at residence halls with fewer amenities or those that are further away from campus.  We also suggest choosing housing where you share a room, as this will also reduce the cost.

Choose the meal plan that fits your needs.  In another article we read by Kim Clark and Beth Braverman at CNN Money, they suggest choosing a meal plan option that fits your habits.  Often students won’t eat at the dining hall for every meal; they will either just go without eating or eat a light snack for some of their meals.  Therefore, it can be a waste of money if you’re not eating at the dining hall for those meals.  If you never eat breakfast or you don’t each much, you may want to choose a cheaper plan, as this will reduce your room and board costs.

Work in a co-op.  According to Driscoll’s article, many universities offer co-op programs that allow students to receive reduced housing costs while they work a service job on campus. If you’re looking to save money, it is certainly worthwhile to check out your school’s website to see if they offer a program like this.

Check out off-campus options.  In some cases, off-campus housing may be less expensive than on-campus options.  Especially if you live with roommates, it may help to reduce the cost of housing while you’re in school.  While your school may not live off-campus during your freshman and sophomore year, you may want to evaluate your off-campus options your junior and senior year.

However, when you are evaluating these options, it is important to factor in the cost of food, gas/transportation costs, and utility costs into the price of off-campus housing.  You should then contrast this to what you would spend living in the dorms and eating in the dining halls.  This will give you a better sense of how they differ.

Live at home.  Perhaps the most budget-conscious decision could be to live at home, if you live close enough.  That way there won’t be an added room and board cost to factor in.  The only added expense you will really have here is gas or transportation costs.

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Ask the Expert, College Planning, Finances

ASK THE EXPERT: College Financial Planning, Part 5

For the last part of our college financial planning series, we wanted to know what students should consider when they are repaying their loans and what they should do if they have accrued a large amount of debt.  We once again spoke with Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com, to help us answer these questions.

The first thing Kantrowitz advises is that if a student can make the required monthly payments and accelerate their payment of the loan, then they should consider making extra payments on the loan with the highest interest rate (after making the required payments on the loan). While not everyone can do this, students who can will pay off their loan earlier, reduce the interest accrued on the loan, and ultimately save a significant amount of money.

If a student runs into financial hardship and is unable to make their monthly loan payments, Kantrowitz advises students to speak with their lender immediately to find out their options.  For federal loans, in particular, there are a variety of options that will help them to continue to make payments without causing too much financial strain.

The first option for federal loans is a temporary suspension of repayment, such as a deferment or forbearance.  Kantrowitz explains that this is an option best suited for those who experience temporary or very short-term financial hardship, which could include things like short-term job loss, mental leave, maternity leave, etc.  The problem with this option is that the interest on the loan will continue to accrue on at least a portion of the loan, which will increase the size of the loan.  However, Kantrowitz explains that this will not be a major problem should one require this assistance for only about 3 or 4 months, as not much interest will have accrued over that time.  He advises that students not extend this type of assistance for much longer than that, and explains that this type of assistance will also have only a 3-5 year limit (depending on whether it is a deferment or forbearance).

For those requiring more long-term assistance on their loan, Kantrowitz advises students to choose an extended or income-based repayment plan. The extended repayment plan will reduce the monthly loan payment by extending the term of the loan.  For example, if a 10-year unsubsidized Stafford loan’s repayment term is increased to 20 years, this will cut the monthly loan payment by one-third.  However, Kantrowitz explains that this will also double the interest paid over the term of the loan, and will ultimately increase the total amount you pay on the loan.  “The longer the term of the loan,” says Kantrowitz, “the more you’ll pay.”

The second long-term option for repayment would be the income-based repayment plan.  This repayment plan will base the monthly loan payment on 15% of one’s discretionary income.  According to Kantrowitz, discretionary income is defined as the amount by which one’s income exceeds 150% of the poverty line.  Therefore, if your income is below that amount, your monthly loan payment would be $0.  However, this option also extends the term of the loan and can end up increasing the amount you pay over time.

According to Kantrowitz, there are a few benefits to choosing the income-based repayment option.  He first explains that this is a good safety net should one run into financial difficulties and become unable to make monthly loan payments.  This option is also beneficial in that after 25 years of repayment, all remaining debt will be forgiven (a feature not offered by private lenders).  In fact, a new version of the income-based repayment will reduce the percentage of discretionary income charged from 15% to 10%, and it will shorten repayment from 25 to 20 years before the remaining debt will be forgiven.  Kantrowitz also explains that should one work in the field of public service [jobs such as a teacher, public defender, prosecutor, member of the military, city, state, or federal worker, or for any 501(c)(3) charitable organization], then all remaining debt will be forgiven after 10 years of repayment.

According to Kantrowitz, students should avoid defaulting on their loans as this can greatly limit their options.  In fact, in many cases, it will actually get much more difficult to repay the loan as there are many ways in which the debt will continue to be collected.  One way in which this is done is through a wage garnishment of up to 15% of total discretionary income.   This can also be done through the interception of federal and state income tax refunds.  On top of this, there will also be an increase of the term of the loan by almost 100%, in that 25% of each payment made (whether voluntary or involuntary) will be used to pay collection charges.  Therefore, a student will not only have to pay off the principal of the loan and the interest, but also the collection charges that come with defaulting on the loan.

Overall, there are things students can do before they run into trouble paying back their loans.  As mentioned previously, talking to one’s lender is perhaps the most important step whenever they are experiencing financial difficulties or hardship.  While their options may increase the amount they pays on the loan, it will prevent students from both going into significant debt and forcibly making payments on their loans.  By choosing to repay loans in these ways, students can greatly limit stress and misfortune by repaying their loans in the way that is right for them.

 

 

 

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Ask the Expert, College Planning, Finances

ASK THE EXPERT: College Financial Planning, Part 4

For the fourth installment of “Ask the Expert: College Financial Planning” series, we wanted to know how college housing choices effect financial aid decisions. To find out more, we spoke again with Mark Kantrowitz, college financial planning expert and publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com.

According to Kantrowitz, room and board are factored into the cost of college attendance, making it an expense covered by a student’s financial aid package. If a student chooses to live on-campus, their room and board would be based on the dormitory fees and the standard meal plan fee. If the student chooses to live at home with their parent(s) or guardian(s), rarely will they receive any financial aid for their housing accommodations.

If the student lives in an off-campus property (other than at home), the student will be afforded an allowance within their financial aid package to cover the cost of their housing. However, this price will be an arbitrary average rent price that is based on occasional rent surveys, and as Kantrowitz explains, universities are very reluctant to change these figures once they have been set. This means that if a student chooses to live in a property that is more expensive than the housing allowance, the university will not alter their allowance to accommodate the greater price. The only circumstances in which Kantrowitz sees this change being made is when the student has extenuating circumstances, such as a disability or having a dependent, which would require them to choose a more expensive residence.

For this reason, Kantrowitz advises students to try to stay within their budgets when it comes to off-campus housing. He explains “Just because you have an allowance that says you can pay up to this amount per month for rent, doesn’t mean that you should spend that amount. This is because in most cases the money that you’re spending on your living expenses is going to come in the form of loans, not grants.” By spending up to the allotted amount or above that amount, this will not only increase the student’s expenses per month, but it will also increase the amount of debt the student will have to pay off when they graduate.

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Budget-Friendly Ideas, Cooking, Student Life

10 Ramen Noodle Recipes

Photo from ramennoodlerecipess.com

Ramen noodles are the college student’s best friend; they’re cheap, they’re quick to make, and they’re tasty.  However, after a week of ramen noodles for dinner, you may get a little tired of them.  This is why we’ve decided to share some awesomely easy ramen noodle recipes you can try to spice up your meal!

The Ramen Breakfast Burrito

2 cups water

1 (3 ounce) package of ramen noodles

1 egg

¼ cup shredded cheese

1 flour tortilla

hot sauce

Directions:

  1. Boil 2 cups of water.
  2. Crack and beat the egg.
  3. Add the ramen to the boiling water, and then slowly pour in the beaten egg.
  4. Leave on heat for 3 minutes while stirring.
  5. Drain all but about 1 tablespoon of water from the pot.
  6. Add the ramen seasoning packet, along with the cheese and your desired amount of hot sauce.
  7. Wrap the mixture in a flour tortilla and enjoy!

Chicken Ramen Noodle Salad

2 packages of ramen noodles

2 boneless chicken breasts

½ cup of croutons

¼ cup of shredded bacon

½ cup of Caesar salad dressing

4 cups of water

Directions:

  1. Pour 2 cups of water into a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Once the water is boiling, add in both ramen noodle packages.
  3. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until noodles are tender and have separated.
  4. Take the noodles off the heat and strain out the water.
  5. Cook the chicken in a pan until fully cooked.
  6. Remove the chicken from the pan once done and add it to the noodles.
  7. Add croutons, shredded bacon and dressing and then enjoy!

Doritos Ramen Salad

1 package of ramen noodles

1 small bag of Doritos

½ lb. of ground beef

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

taco seasoning (optional)

Directions:

  1. Put 2 cups of water into a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Once the water is boiling, add the package of ramen.
  3. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and separated.
  4. Take the noodles off the heat and strain out the water.
  5. Place beef in a pan and cook.  Be sure to fully cook!
  6. Once its done, mix together with the noodles.
  7. Place the Doritos around the mixture in a circle, and crumble any chips you have left on top of the mixture.
  8. Add shredded cheese and taco seasoning and enjoy!

Ramen Chicken Parmesan

2 packages of ramen noodles

4 cups of water

2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)

2 eggs (beaten)

½ cup of milk

1 cup dried bread crumbs

½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup of mozzarella cheese

2 cups of spaghetti sauce

2 tablespoons of olive oil

salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Put 2 cups of water into pot and boil
  2. Once the water is boiling, add in ramen packages
  3. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the noodles are tender and separated
  4. Take the noodles off the heat and strain out the water.
  5. Mix together milk and eggs
  6. Pound the chicken breast until they are ¼ inch thick
  7. Dip the chicken breasts in the milk and egg mixture, and then dip into the bread crumbs.
  8. Place the olive oil and chicken into a skillet.
  9. Cook until the chicken is brown on both sides and the meet is fully cooked.

10. Remove the chicken from the pan, and add the spaghetti sauce into the skillet where you just cooked the chicken.

11. Once the spaghetti sauce is warmed, add the chicken back onto the skillet.

12. Add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese to the top of the chicken and heat until melted.

13. Add the ramen to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes in the spaghetti sauce.

14. Remove from the heat and enjoy!

Caramel Ice Cream Ramen

1 package of ramen noodles (crushed)

2 cups of caramel ice cream (or any other flavor)

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

Directions:

  1. While the noodles are still in the package, break the ramen into small pieces.
  2. Put the vegetable oil in a pan and cook until the oil is heated
  3. Put the noodles into the pan with the oil and gently shake the pan as they cook.  Be careful not to burn them.
  4. Once the noodles have browned, you can remove them from the pan.
  5. Put your desired amount of ice cream into a bowl.
  6. Add the fried ramen to the top of the ice cream and enjoy!

Ramen Frittata with Ham and Cheese

2 (3 ounce) packages chicken flavored ramen noodles

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs

4 thin slices deli-style ham, cut into medium dice

3 green onions, thinly sliced

½ cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Follow ramen cooking instructions and cook until noodles are tender.
  3. Strain out the noodles from the water.
  4. Melt butter in a large ovenproof skillet on medium-high heat.  Add ham and green onions and cook until tender (about 3 minutes).
  5. Whisk eggs and 1 packet of the ramen seasonings into a bowl and stir in cooked noodles.
  6. Shake skillet to evenly distribute ham and green onions.  Add egg mixture and sprinkle top with cheese.
  7. Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake until eggs are set and the cheese has melted (about 6-8 minutes).
  8. Serve and enjoy!

Vegan Ramen and Rotel

3 oz package of ramen (any flavor)

10 oz can Rotel mild or original

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

2 tablespoons margarine

water

Directions:

  1. Crumble the ramen noodles while still in the package and then pour into a bowl
  2. Sprinkle the nutritional yeast over the crumbled noodles
  3. Open a can of Rotel and pour over noodles.
  4. Add ¼ can of water
  5. Cook in the microwave on high for 6 minutes
  6. Stir in margarine and enjoy!

Vegetarian Pad Thai Ramen

2 ramen packages

1 16oz package of extra firm tofu

1 bag frozen stir fry vegetables

soy sauce

sesame oil

peanut sauce

Directions:

  1. Drain tofu and slice or cube into bite-sized pieces
  2. Place into a bowl and add 1 ramen flavor packet with soy sauce.
  3. Shake in sesame oil and allow tofu to marinate for 1 to 2 hours
  4. Cook ramen noodles according to instructions on the package.
  5. Cook frozen vegetables by stir-frying until done.
  6. Add tofu with enough of the remaining liquid to pan and continue to heat.  Stir gently until heated.
  7. Add ramen noodles and mix well.  Allow noodles to absorb remaining liquid in the pan.
  8. Remove from the pan, season with more sesame oil and peanut sauce and enjoy!

Girl Scout Thin Mint Ramen on a Stick

4 packages of uncooked ramen

1 16oz bag of dark chocolate chips

14 drops of peppermint extract

2 drops of spearmint extract

2 drops of wintergreen extract

24 lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks

½ teaspoon butter (optional)

Directions:

  1. Empty package of ramen into a bowl and crush until it has the consistency of bulky oatmeal or rice crispies.  Do not crush finer as the recipe will not set.
  2. Lay out wax paper.
  3. In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips until they become smooth and creamy.
  4. If desired, add butter.
  5. Slowly add mint extracts to the chocolate, and stir for 1 minute.
  6. Quickly pour over crushed ramen and stir vigorously until completely covered.
  7. Immediately spoon mixture in tablespoons onto wax paper to form round cookie shapes.  Mixture should flatten and spread considerably, so be sure to leave plenty of space in between.
  8. Place a lollipop or popsicle stick into each cookie before it harden.
  9. Allow to cool completely for about an hour and then enjoy!

Taco Ramen Salad

1 package beef ramen noodles

½ lb ground beef

1 small tomato, chopped

½ cup onion, chopped

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Thousand Island dressing

Directions:

  1. Cook noodles according to instructions listed on package.
  2. Cook beef in a pan until fully cooked and browned.
  3. Drain beef.
  4. Stir in ½ seasoning packet.
  5. Stir in onion, tomato, cheddar cheese, and noodles.
  6. Add dressing and enjoy!

If you’d like to find out more about where we found these recipes, just click on the recipe title!

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Ask the Expert, College Planning, Finances

ASK THE EXPERT: College Financial Planning, Part 1

For our newest blog series, we wanted to look at college planning and financial aid, as the student debt crisis has most certainly been a hot topic in the media recently.  For this series, we wanted to know exactly what students need to understand when it comes to financial aid, college financial planning, loan repayment, and student debt.  It just seems so complicated!

For the first installment in the “Ask the Expert:  College Financial Planning” series, we wanted to know what students should be concerned about when it comes to finances and applying for college.  To find out more, we spoke with Mark Kantrowitz, a noted financial aid and college planning author and publisher of FinAid and FastWeb, two resources for students looking to find out more about financial aid options available to them.

Kantrowitz tells us that students should ideally start looking at financial aid options as early as possible.  Often many students start looking their senior year, however, many of the deadlines have already passed.  Kantrowitz says that students looking to get scholarships should be planning for deadlines as early as junior year (if not earlier), so that they can get their applications in for those scholarships with deadlines in the fall of the their senior year.  He explains students should start considering financial aid as early as possible, as this increases the number of scholarships available to them, including those that they may earn in earlier grades.

According to Kantrowitz, when it comes to examining their options, they should weigh the cost of financial aid.  For students, he says, saving is always the better option.  “Every dollar you save is a dollar less that you’re going to have to borrow and every dollar you borrow, will cost you about $2 by the time you pay back the debt.”  It is simply the more affordable options, because when you save, you earn interest and when you borrow, you will pay interest. He gives us the example that, “If you were to save $200 per month for 10 years at 6.8% interest, you’d accumulate about $34,400.  If instead you were to borrow and pay back over 10 years at 6.8% interest, you’d pay $396/month.”  That would roughly double what one would pay if they were to save money instead.

Kantrowitz explains that students should also be aware of the actual cost of college.  He says that students should utilize a net price for college, which is the difference between the cost of attendance and just grants and scholarships.  “Think of it as a discounted sticker price.”  He explains that using this figure is a better basis for evaluating the cost of college rather than utilizing other cost evaluations.  Especially when it comes to the net price figures that schools will often provide on their websites.  Kantrowitz explains that these numbers will often include financial aid packages and loans, that do not actually lower the cost, but will rather increase the cost.

Kantrowitz also urges students to use caution with net price calculators that universities are now required to provide on their websites.  He explains that since October 2011 schools have mandated to host a calculator, however, he says that they really should only be used to determine a ballpark figure for net price.

According to Kantrowitz, there are a couple of major issues with these calculators.  The first major concern with these calculators is the number of questions the calculator has.  He says that much of the accuracy of these calculators is dependent upon the number of questions that they ask; while the standard calculator provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) contains approximately 10 questions, other calculators such as the one provided by the College Board, contain more questions.  The more questions a calculator has, the more accurate the calculator will be, he explains.  While these calculators are will mean more work for the user, they will produce much more accurate results.

The second concern Kantrowitz points out is that the age of data will play into the accuracy of the calculator.  He explains that calculators like those provided by NCES contain data that is approximately 2 years old, while those like the one provided by the College Board are current, and are more up-to-date.  In either case, Kantrowitz explains, one should use caution with these calculators and should not exclude any colleges on the sole basis of the figures provided by a net price calculator.

The last major concern Kantrowitz points to relates to the financial aid award letter.  He explains that students should be careful when they receive their financial award letter that they understand the characterization of the different awards and understand which award they were given.  “I’ve had families come to me thinking that they’re getting a free ride from a college, and when I look at the financial aid award letter I see $5,000 in student loans and $20,000 in parent loans.  That’s far from a free ride.”  Students should really do their homework when it comes to the different classifications of financial aid, so they know that when they receive a grant, they know which grant they have received and what this implies.

Overall, Kantrowitz urges students to start considering college financial aid early and often, and to do their homework when it comes to understanding the different options available to them.  He explains that students and their families should always exercise caution when it comes to financial aid and to make financial aid decisions that work best for them.

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Roommates, Student Life

Choosing Your College Roommate: Why Rooming with Your Best Friend May Not be the Best Idea

When you head off to college, it is one of the scariest times in your life; you’re away from most of the people you know, you are living away from home, and you’re starting a whole new chapter in your life, all at once.  This may also be the first time you’ll be sharing a room with someone, and it can be an incredibly scary to think that you’ll be sharing a room with someone whom you don’t know.  You will immediately ask yourself “Who do I know that I could room with?”

In an article we read by Julie and Lindsey Mayfield on U.S. News and World Report, they explain that while it may be tempting, your first choice shouldn’t be your best friend.  While you feel like it may take a lot of the pressure off the situation, you may actually be putting more stress on the relationship.  This is because when you move away for school, you are not only trying to get used to living with someone else, but you are also just trying to get used to being away at school.  Considering all of this, it can end disastrously.

In another article we read by University Language Services, they explain that besides the fact that you may lose your best friend, there’s a myriad of other problems you can encounter.  First, your social life can take hit because you are often less likely to push yourself to make new friends.  Second, you may miss out on new experiences.  By choosing to room with your best friend you are less likely to seek out new friendships, and are therefore less likely to experience new people and new things. Third, your old habits will be harder to break.  When you live with your best friend you are more likely to hold onto your old habits and your more likely to stick to your old routine.  By living with new people, you could introduce yourself to new things that you might not otherwise have tried.  Lastly, your work ethic (and your bank account) are sure to suffer.  If you live with your best friend, you may end up spending more time socializing than you do on your schoolwork, as your room will double as a study and social area on a daily basis.   You will also most likely be going out more often, and so your wallet will suffer too.

Alternatively, many suggest that living with a friend (rather than a best friend), or even living with a stranger are better options than living with your best friend.  Not only will this experience expose you to new people and new things, but you friendships will remain in tact.

When you’re encountering any situation with a roommate, it’s always a good idea to set out a list of ground rules and expectations for the room beforehand.  In a previous post to our blog, we gave you a list of topics that may be useful to discuss with your roommate.  According to the Mayfields, you just have to realize sharing can get tricky, and that you have to open and honest when problems do arise. While you don’t have to be best friends, it is in the best interest of both of you to ensure that you can get along for at least the next year.

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College Planning

The “Going-Off-To-College” Essentials

Going off to college is, for many students, the first time you’ve lived away from home.  More often than not, you’ll probably be used to the comforts of home, where everything you could need is right at your fingertips.  That is why many are often confused as to what they actually have to bring when they start packing for college (so don’t worry, you’re not alone).

There’s a lot of considerations when it comes to what exactly you’ll be needing for the next nine months, so where do you start?  Well, while a lot universities will give you a basic checklist of what you’ll need, we put together a list of some of the things your school may include, and also some things they may not.

  • Microwave.  Most schools will allow you to have a microwave in your room.  You’ll definitely want to coordinate with your roommate beforehand to see who will bring what, but a microwave will be your best friend for those late night cram sessions.
  • Refrigerator.  Another dorm essential that you may want to coordinate on with your roommate.
  • Alarm clock.  In an article we read by Naomi Rockler-Gladen at Suite101.com, you will want to choose an alarm clock that is loud enough to wake you up.  You may also want to choose a battery-operated alarm clock, so if the power goes out in your building, you will still wake up in time for class.
  • Telephone.  Although a lot of students don’t go anywhere without their cell phone nowadays, you will still want to make sure that you have a cell phone with you when you move.  Rockler-Gladen says that you may also want to make sure that you have a plan that will fit your needs when it comes to making those daily phone calls to your friend in California.
  • Computer.  While a computer is not an absolute essential for college, it will make your life a lot simpler.  You’ll want to shop around for the computer that suits you best.  For example, if you’re trying to decide between a desktop and a laptop, you may want to consider where you want to do your studying.  Would you want to study in the library?  Would you want to bring your computer to class?  You’ll want to ask yourself questions like this to make the right decision for you.
  • Bathrobe.  If you’ll be living in a dorm with a bathroom at the end of the hallway, you will especially want to consider getting a bathrobe for those long walks back to your room.  Even if the bathroom is right next to your room, you’ll want to be sure that you won’t be giving your roommate a show.
  • Flip flops for the shower.  Trust us on this one:  you have no idea what is on that floor.
  • Shower caddy.  This makes those trips back and forth from the shower easier.  Pick a container that you can carry everything you’ll need in it, like shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.  You may also want to choose one that is waterproof so that you can take it right in the shower with you.
  • Basic hygiene materials.  Although it seems obvious, you’d be surprised what you’ll forget.  You want to be sure to bring shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.  Whatever you use on a regular to keep you clean you’ll want to bring with you.
  • Linens.  You may want to bring two sets of bed linens just in case one in is in the laundry.  You’ll also want to bring extra towels so that you don’t run into the same problem.
  • Cleaning materials.  Your best friend will be the disinfectant.
  • Medications and first aid.  You obviously will want to bring any medications you take on a daily basis.  But you also want to bring things like band aids, antibacterial ointment, antacids, cotton balls, etc.
  • Basic school supplies.  You’ll definitely need pens and pencils, but don’t forget things like printer paper, staplers, pencil sharpeners, and extra staples.  You may also want to get extra printer ink, in case you run out in the middle of printing out a paper the night before it’s due.
  • Good backpack.  Rockler-Gladen suggests that you get a backpack that you’ll be able to carry all your books and your essentials in.  If you’re bringing your computer to class, you may want to ensure that it will fit in your backpack.
  • Laundry materials.  You want to get laundry detergent, as well as a hamper and/or laundry basket to carry your clothes back and forth from the laundry room.
  • Rain jackets.  Trust us on this:  you’ll want a rain jacket with a hood.  You may also want to get a waterproof winter jacket if you’ll be somewhere where it snows.  We promise you when we say that you want to be prepared for all types of weather.  Remember that at most schools you’re classes will be in different buildings around campus.  That means that when it rains, you’ll have to walk through that.
  • Rain boots.  Again, you have to be prepared for everything.
  • Umbrella.  This is for the days where you could get away with just an umbrella, i.e. there isn’t wind accompanied with the rain.
  • Snow boots with treads.  Seems a little dorky, but trust us that you’ll need them.  If you’ll be in a place where it snows, you will want to make sure you don’t fall on your face walking to class.
  • Flashlight.  In case the lights go out or you lose something under your bed, you’ll want one of these handy.
  • Decor.  You’ll want to decorate your half of the room to remind you of home.  Don’t forget about those pictures that will get you through those long nights of studying.
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