[Storyteller.]

Time to do what I do best: Skittlify.

Dez needs a title
By Dez (Merpop.)

Going to university for the first time can be a scary experience for people. Many people fear that they will not be able to afford to go to university, or that they won’t be well-prepared once they arrive. Those who live on campus may also worry that they will not get along with their roommate. However, university does not have to be a scary or difficult time, and there are many things that can be done to combat these issues. [Just out of curiosity, is this only for people going to University in the US, or is it meant to be more general? I may have some more edits, depending on your answer.]

Affording university

A big issue students run into is affording university. University can be an expensive place, but there are things that can be done to reduce a student’s final cost.

One thing students can do is apply for scholarships. A scholarship is free money a company or organization pays for a student to go to school. The amount of money paid varies depending on the scholarship. There are many different types of scholarships to apply for. For instance, someone may apply for a scholarship based on grades, sexual orientation, ethnicity, volunteer experience, or for many more reasons! Sometimes a student or their family’s workplace offers scholarships as well. In this case, they should check with their employer.

You should begin the search for scholarships in high school. A good place to start the search for scholarships is in your own school. Some schools provide students with a list of scholarships they are able to apply for, or may have a folder or filing cabinet containing scholarships. If not, you can ask their guidance counselors or teachers to suggest scholarships. Other scholarships can be found online by doing Internet searches. [You seem to switch between second and third person, so it might be good to pick one and stick with it.]

Each scholarship has different rules and regulations, and asks about different things on the application. Sometimes the process of applying for scholarships can seem long, but any bit of money a student earns can take a load off of the financial burden!

You should try and find books at cheap prices. For example, Amazon.com and Ebay.com may have a your textbook book for cheaper than what the bookstore offers. If you are ordering their books from one of these sites, however, you should ensure that you are purchasing the proper edition. You may also be able to rent their books for the duration of the semester and return them at the semester’s completion. This may offer a cheaper alternative if you don’t want or need the book after the completion of the semester.

You should look into selling their books back to the bookstore after the completion of a semester, or selling their books online. Even though you may not gain all of their money back, you will gain some of it back, and this can be used towards other goods and supplies.

You should also look out for sales whenever possible. For instance, many grocery and department stores hold back-to-school sales at the beginning of the new school year. This is a good way for you to buy reduced-priced school supplies, and buy in bulk. You do not need to buy the most expensive items all the time. Sometimes a cheaper alternative works just as well!

Sometimes stores, restaurants, and other places of business offer student discounts. This means that as long as a person is able to prove they are a student, such as by showing a student ID, they will be able to get reduced prices at participating businesses. It may be useful for you to call a place of business ahead of time and see if they take a student discount for your school.

In some areas, students are also able to get free or reduced bus fare. You may need to acquire a bus pass, and should speak to your school or local transit company for more information.

It is also important to track spending and make a budget. If you know where you are spending money each month, it will be easier to determine where you can cut back. Try and set at least some money aside each month for emergencies. Also budget some money for necessities such as food, gas, supplies, and any medications you may need. From there, you may even have some spending money left over!

Dorm life

Many students elect to live on campus during their time at university. This allows many students to gain independence, and also allows them to live closer to their classes.

If you are living on campus, it may be useful to get to know your roommate ahead of time. The two of you can share responsibility when it comes to buying certain items. For instance, one of you may bring the TV, while the other brings the mini fridge. One of you may bring cleaning supplies while the other brings a first aid kit. You don’t need to have two of everything, and this is a good way to prevent having doubles of certain items. This also cuts down both parties’ spending costs since you are sharing the burden.

It is also important to communicate with your roommate because they will potentially be one of the first friends you have on campus. You will be spending a lot of time with this person, so it is important the two of you are able to get along and communicate about any questions or concerns you have. If you have any boundaries you want to set or have any problems you want to talk about, it is important to be able to talk about them so the living situation does not grow hostile.

It may also be a good idea to meet the Residence Advisors [they're not called that everywhere, so maybe you could add something like 'or the equivalent'] in your dorm. The Residence Advisors genuinely love to help students, and will answer many questions a student has about adjusting. They may also be able to assist with things such as resolving conflicts you may have with a roommate.

If your dorm holds hall activities, it is a good idea to go to these as well. That way, you get to make friends with other people who live in your building.

In a dorm room, you need to stay organized. The rooms are normally small, so you won’t be able to bring everything with you. First, start out by packing the necessities, such as bedding, toiletries, medications, school supplies, your laptop/computer, food and drinks, and clothing. Second, if you know you will have more room in your dorm, you can bring other items that aren’t essential.

For optimal use of your space, storage bins and shelving may be used. The storage bins are good ways to keep items out of the way, and to bring more than you may have otherwise. You can slide these under your bed so they are out of sight. Shelving is a good place to store books and other school supplies. You can get small baskets to put things such as pencils, pens, and paperclips in.

Most dorms also allow at least some decorations. For instance, you may be able to hang up posters or other decorations. Check with your office of residence life or a Residence Advisor if you are uncertain as to whether or not something is allowed. Decorations can be a good way to make your space feel more like home!

Other things to bring

It is important that you come prepared to class. It may be useful for you to have a planner where you can write down any assignments you get and their due dates. Try and stay as organized as possible. Getting a separate binder, folder, and notebook for each class and properly labelling them can help with this process.

Other office supplies such as a stapler, highlighter, tape, scissors, a ruler, or sticky notes may come in handy for your classes as you complete various projects and tasks.

If you are taking any mathematics or science courses, you will want to get a calculator. Some professors are okay with any scientific calculator. Others prefer graphing calculators such as the T1-84. If you are unsure what type of calculator you need, check with the professor.

While many schools have computer labs, it may be helpful to purchase your own laptop or desktop computer. This way, you are not held back when the computer lab is closed or full. Some students also find it useful to purchase their own printer and ink. Many schools charge students anywhere from a few cents to a quarter to print out one page, so some students find it more convenient to have their own printer.

If you are unsure what supplies you will need for a certain class, your professor will be willing to let you know as long as you ask!

If you are well prepared, university can be an enjoyable experience.