[Storyteller.]

Skittles time.

Being prepared for university

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 or other people within their residential area [Since, again, roomies aren't really a big thing here.]. However, university does not necessarily have to be a scary or difficult time experience and there are many things that can be done to combat these potential issues. [Chess: maybe add something about avoiding and/or mitigating the issues, since not all issues can be avoided by being prepared.] [Dez: Suggestions on wording?][It might help to say something here about how many things go under different names... for example your professors are our lecturers, dorms are more like our colleges, etc.][Adam: The latter is a good idea; I think the wording is fine.]

Affording university

A big issue students may run into is affording university. Going to school can be expensive, 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 to a student for their tuition costs. Students may apply for these, or in some cases they may be earned for achievements such as intellectual aptitude.[Dez: I'm trying to make it inclusive of most countries so I added that in.] [Can you add something about disadvantaged students too? We have quite a few for rural students, for example, and in that case the hardship is more important than the intellectual ability.] The amount of money paid varies depending on the scholarship. There are many different types of scholarships to apply for [It might be worth mentioning specific types as well as criteria. For example I was awarded an accommodation scholarship, whereas there can also be smaller ones for, say, textbooks, or tuition fees, etc]. For instance, someone may apply for a scholarship based on grades, sexual orientation, ethnicity, volunteer experience, or other reasons. Sometimes a student or their family’s workplace offers scholarships as well. In this case, checks should be made with the employer.

The search for scholarships should begin in high school. A good place to start the search for scholarships is in school. [I know what you're saying but the wording seems a little repetitive.] 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, guidance counselors or teachers can be asked to suggest scholarships. Other scholarships can be found online by doing Internet searches.

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 the financial burden. Sometimes the longer applications give you the best chance at winning because fewer students will apply for it. [It might also be worth noting that scholarships may differ in their length - for example some might be a once-off, or only during undergraduate studies, or they may be the length of the degree, etc.]

Many students find it helpful to try to find books at cheap prices. For example, Amazon and Ebay may stock some textbooks for less than bookstores offer. If ordering books from one of these sites, however, it should be ensured that you are purchasing the proper edition. It may also be possible to rent the necessary books for the duration of the term and return them at the term's completion. [Are we just talking about renting books from the book shop here?] This may offer a cheaper alternative if the books are not required after the completion of the semester.

It can be beneficial to look into selling books back to the bookstore after the completion of a term, or selling unwanted books online. Even though it may not be possible to recoup all of the cost, it should be possible to at least receive some of it, and this can be used towards more textbooks, other goods, and supplies.

Looking out for sales whenever possible is also a good idea. For instance, many grocery and department stores hold back-to-school sales prior to the new school year. This is a good way to buy reduced-priced school supplies, and buy in bulk. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive items; 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, most commonly by showing a student ID, they will be able to get reduced prices at participating businesses. It may be useful to call a place of business to see if they offer a student discount.

In some areas, students are also able to get free or reduced bus fare. It may be necessary to acquire a bus pass, so speak to the school or local transit company for more information. In some areas, a transit or concession card may be given. This cards entitles students to less expensive transport on buses and trains. This is very important for commuters who would otherwise have to pay full price for transit.[Dez: I changed it to third person, how is it now?][Adam: Any reason this is orange? If it's not be redone, remember to change to third person.] [I got confused with all the colours, so I'll edit this paragraph once Dez has taken all the orange out.]

It is also important to track spending and make a budget. Knowing where money is spent will make it easier to determine where costs can be cut. Try to set at least some money aside each month for emergencies [such as...?]. Also budget some money for necessities such as food, gas, supplies, and any medications which may be needed. From there, there may even be some spending money left over!

See also: Effectively managing money.

Making a schedule
The school may require students to make their own schedule and pick out the courses they wish to take. It is inadvisable to save this for the last minute. This is because it is important for students to know which classes they wish or need to take ahead of time to make it easier on them when registering for classes. Other people will be trying to register at the same time, so classes shouldn't be chosen at the last minute. A backup schedule should also be made in case the top-choice classes are full. If the classes needed are all full, wait-listing is a great option. Typically when joining the wait-list, it is a good idea to attend that class on the first day so that if some students don't show up, the spot will be more attainable.

Many schools require students to take general education classes. These may be called General University Requirements (GURs) or Liberal Education Programs (LEPs). Students take classes from different fields in order to become more well-rounded. Some students prefer to get these general education requirements out of the way during their first few semesters at university so they can focus solely on their majors during their final semesters. Others prefer to spread out these general education requirements throughout their time in university. This depends on what each student finds easiest for them. [We don't do general requirements here, but my to complete any course at my Uni you have to do both a 'planet' and 'people' unit outside of your faculty/department. I assume other Unis do something similar. Would it be worth mentioning that?]

Students who are unsure of which classes to take should contact their academic advisor. Academic advisors know which classes students should take and at which point in their educational career. Academic advisors will also be able to answer questions about a student's intended major and what is needed of them. Questions can include what major to choose, what careers will be available upon graduation, or even just what classes to take for GURs or LEPs that relate to your major. [Any tips on how to get in touch with your Advisor?]

Dorm life

Many students elect to live on campus during their time at university. This allows them to gain independence, be a part of a community, and also allows them to live closer to their classes.

If living on campus [add something about 'with a roommate' because it's not everywhere], it may be useful to get to know the roommate ahead of time. The responsibility of buying certain items can be shared. For instance, one may bring the TV, while the other brings the mini fridge. One may bring cleaning supplies while the other brings a first aid kit. Roommates 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 the burden is shared.

It is also important to communicate with the roommate because they will potentially be one of the first friends made 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.[Chess: I'll have a look at this during the next round of edits and see if I can come up with anything.] [Dez: I'm not sure how to reconstruct it either, any help?][Adam: This needs restructuring to third person, which I've found tricky.]

It also is important to know the living situation before moving into the dorm. For instance, in some schools there may be single-person dorms, where there is no requirement to share a room with anyone. Also check to see what arrangements there are for other spaces in the dorm such as if there is a kitchen or a community bathroom.

It may also be a good idea to meet the Residence Advisors or the equivalent in the dorm. A Residence Advisor is a trained person who oversees those living in the dorms. They look out for the health and safety of the dorm, and also act as a good port of call for those still adjusting to campus life. 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 with a roommate.

If a dorm holds hall or floor activities, it is a good idea to go to these as well. These activities allow students to meet others in their building.

In a dorm room, it is important to stay organized. The rooms are normally small, so it is not possible to bring everything. Start out by packing the necessities, such as bedding, toiletries, medications, school supplies, a laptop/computer, food and drink, and clothing. Secondly, if there will be more room in the dorm, other, non-essential items can be brought.

For optimal use of space, storage bins and shelving should be used. The storage bins are good ways to keep items out of the way, and to bring more than may have otherwise been possible. These can slide these under beds so they are out of sight whilst shelving is a good place to store books and other school supplies. Small baskets to put things such as pencils, pens, and paperclips in are also useful.

Decorations can be a good way to make the space feel more like home. Most dorms also allow at least some decorations. For instance, it may be possible to hang up posters or other decorations. Check with the office of residence life or a Residence Advisor to see what is allowed. Decorations can be a good way to make the space feel more like home.

Other things to bring

It is very important to be prepared for class. It may be useful to have a planner to write down any assignments and their due dates. Try and stay as organized as possible. Getting a separate binder, folder, and notebook for each class and properly labeling 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 classes in completing various projects and tasks.

If taking any mathematics or science courses,it will naturally be necessary to get a calculator. Some professors are okay with any scientific calculator. Others may prefer graphing calculators such as the T1-84. This may depend on the complexity of the work being done. If unsure what type of calculator is needed, check with the professor. [I know I'm being nit-picky, but again, not everyone calls them 'professors'.]

While many schools have computer labs, it may be helpful to purchase a personal laptop or desktop computer so as to not be 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. Be sure to check if the school offers a certain amount of free prints first. That may be all that is needed and can save money on buying ink.

If you are unsure what supplies will be needed for a certain class, a professor will likely offer a list if asked.

If well prepared, university can be an enjoyable experience. Many people make lifelong friends while learning material that will last them a lifetime.