How To Get Yourself Acquainted In College

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

Socializing is an essential part of college life. Facebook was hatched in a college dorm room for the purpose of networking with friends. Getting acquainted with your roommate is one thing; it’s also important to have other friends to keep your university life colorful.

College is as much about establishing connections as learning your chosen major. Getting acquainted with people outside the classroom gives you a chance to prepare for your future work environment. It may also be the best time to get to know other future professionals in the field.

To get yourself acquainted, it’s important not to use up all your time digging your nose in textbooks. There are many activities you can engage yourself into like team sports and student organizations. You may also support a group cause or become a volunteer.

To overcome shyness, you may start getting to know new people whom you share similar interests with. Having the same hobby or coming from the same hometown state makes it easier for new acquaintances to talk and open up. Birds of the same feather flock together, don’t they?

College life is busy, but there’s still room to wiggle and jiggle. Get yourself out there by attending school events or dorm parties. It’s a great way to meet and mingle with new people. Don’t worry if you are not invited to one party; there are plenty of events planned for the whole year – just be sure they don’t fall on exam week!

Social media is indeed a hip place to hang out since you can be virtual friends with pretty much anybody. In the real world, it’s also nice to know where you can find your friends to have a chat. Visit some of the cozy hangouts around the campus for some coffee or drinks. Those are great places to hold long conversations and friendly debates, just remember to keep your sobriety in check.

The friends you meet in college may not be like the ones you grew up with in high school but they can surely help you get through difficult classes and tough times. They may never replace your childhood friends but they are surely ones for keeps.

DIY Bookmark Ideas for Students

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

“Why pay a dollar for a bookmark? why not use the Dollar for a bookmark?” – Steven Spielberg

Mr. Spielberg had a point. But why not make your own bookmark for free instead? A bookmark adds a personal touch to any book and oftentimes come with inspiring words to keep the owner reading.

Students flip through piles of boring black and white pages of textbooks for years. Using a bookmark can help brighten up those pages and give them a creative contrast.

Making your own bookmark is easy. Only basic tools are needed such as scissors, ribbons, cut-out images or text, glue and a little creativity!

Paper bookmarks are great for thin paged books like the Bible. These have the least the impact on its pages as well as the spine. Create a mini collage using cut out images from magazines and meaningful pieces of paper like tickets to create your paper bookmark.

Using other odd materials found in your art box is also a great idea. Be sure to get the bookmark laminated to prevent the design from falling apart. This may thicken your bookmark a little bit but still great to use on trade paperbacks and hard bound books.

Bookmarks made of ribbon can be given a new twist by adding decorative ends. The small portion of the ribbon left hanging out of the book pages can be embellished with beads or feathers. The top portion can be given a head or iconic design. Fans of vampire books, for example, can create similar themed bookmarks to give away to friends.

If you want a unique looking bookmark, you can try doing a corner bookmark. This is basically slipped on the corner of a page like a sleeve. You can use a cut out envelope corner as your base bookmark then just add your personal touch to it.

Books, new or used, can be enjoyed better with bookmarks that are both functional and decorative.

How To Care For Your Books

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

To make books last longer, they need proper care and attention. Books are bought for educational or entertainment purposes. But after reading through its informative pages, a book is usually left neglected in a bookshelf and subject to the elements that can speed up its deterioration. A lot of second-hand books already come with indications of wear and tear like dog eared pages and broken spine.

If you want your books to last for generations, it’s important to slow down its aging. Book collectors have their own meticulous way of preserving books. For everybody else, here are some practical tips to keep your books looking new.

  • Buy good quality books to begin with. A hardbound book is better than a paperback version. When buying used books, if there’s more than one copy available, choose the one with the least wear. Check if the spine or binding is intact and make sure the book is printed on acid-free paper so pages won’t brown.
  • Store books on a shelf away from direct heat, sunlight and moisture. These elements can increase the acid reaction on paper, thus causing it to brown. Also, the sun’s UV rays can cause the inks to fade while moisture can encourage molds to settle in the pages. Too much heat is also not good because it can make the book pages and binding brittle. So be sure to store books away from heaters and vents.
  • Remove unnecessary page markers and clippings. These items can cause discoloration and acid transfer. Fancy bookmarks can cause the book pages and binding to deform. Also, avoid using your book to press flowers because it can lead to the spread of molds.
  • Avoid pulling your book from the top of its spine when taking it out of a shelf. This can severely damage it, especially if the books have been squeezed together too tightly on a shelf. An upright book can be taken out by easing the books on its side or tilting it slightly from its front end then lifting it off the shelf. Heavy books must be kept laid flat on their side. To take them out, simply take the whole stack off the shelf and choose the book you wish to read.
  • Keep your books clean inside and out. To maintain the external look of books, use a clear plastic book sleeve and wipe off dust before it thickens. Leather bound books must be professionally serviced every 2 to 5 years. Avoid writing on the pages because the ink can blot all the way to the next page.
  • Take care of the book pages. Do not turn a page with damp (licked) fingers because this adds moisture. Never dog ear page corners no matter how tempted you are. Pages of an old book can easily crumble from a slight fold. Also, avoid using sticky page markers which can leave adhesive marks on the pages.

Whether or not you’re a book collector, it’s good to know how to take care of your books to keep your collection readable for years.

Eco-Friendly College Lifestyle Tips

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

Being part of the younger generation, it’s important to play a role in the advocacy for a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Many people are feeling the effects of environmental neglect in the past, that’s why living green is constantly promoted nowadays.

Each individual has the capacity to make an impact towards a better environment, however small it is. Even with lots of things to do, college students can adapt an eco-friendly lifestyle. Here are some ways how:

1. Use less car. If you happen to live away from campus, using a car may sound like the easiest means to get to school. However, using your own car can add up to the fuel emissions that’s already a problem in the atmosphere. As an alternative, you can use public transportation, join a carpool or use a bicycle instead.

2. Buy used. Anything used has much less carbon footprint compared to new ones. They are also usually cheaper. Non-personal and non-perishable items are best bought used. This includes used college textbooks, furniture, electronics, vehicles and sports equipment.

3. Switch off and unplug. Always remember to switch off the light when leaving a room. Earth Hour, a global event aiming to help stop climate change, was started on this simple act. In the mornings, you can open the windows for daylight instead of switching on a light bulb. Similarly, appliances that are on standby mode must be unplugged to save energy. The television, computer monitor, microwave oven and even a charging dock can waste a lot of energy when left on standby.

4. Save more energy. When buying new electronic products, try choose the ones with the Energy Star logo. They use up to 50% less energy compared to others. During the cold months, use an extra blanket instead of turning up the heater. Doing so will also help in your monthly bills.

5. Reuse, reduce, recycle. This is like a mantra for environmentally conscious individuals. Bring your own reusable bags to bring books or grocery buys when you can. Reusable coffee mugs and drinking bottles can be used to hold your beverage instead of a disposable one. Recycling is a great way reduce waste and carbon footprint. An ideal example is to use the back side of a printed paper when submitting college papers.

There are still so many ways to live a greener life in college and beyond. Always be mindful of the waste you create. A little extra effort and awareness on practicing eco-friendly ways are all that’s needed to make a difference.

6 Reasons To Buy And Sell Used College Textbooks

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

Many objects get passed on from one person to another for varied reasons. Things like furniture and jewelry even reach heirloom status. In college, books are commonly handed down to the next batch of students through second-hand book drives or online sites like iCollegeweb.com.

For some students, buying and selling used college textbooks is the way to go. Here are some reasons why you should also consider it:

  • Economical. The number one reason why students buy used college textbooks is that they are much cheaper compared to the new ones. In some cases, they are even easier to find since new ones quickly get out of stock.
  • Earn money/Help earn money. For those moving on to higher years, selling their used textbooks can help them earn extra money to, again, buy used books appropriate for their new subjects. It becomes a cycle of helping each other out to keep the expenses at a minimum.
  • Eco-friendly. Brand new items have significantly more carbon footprint compared to used ones. Buying and selling used textbooks is a way of recycling paper and other resources which helps the environment.
  • Non-perishable. Textbooks usually can last up to 5 years or more, as long as the text is readable and the pages are intact. Books are perfectly okay to pass on to other people because they virtually don’t have any hygienic issues.
  • Meet new people. Expanding one’s network is important in college. For some people, the buyers or sellers of their used college textbooks turn out to be somebody who they can continually contact for another sale.
  • Learn faster. Margin notes and other used textbook writings may be helpful to its succeeding users. Notes and comments are usually integral in understanding difficult lessons.

Buying and selling used college textbooks is beneficial to students in many other ways. Tell us how buying and selling in iCollegeweb.com helped you by leaving a comment.

Easy Ways To Spend Less On Food While In College

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments
Food is a basic commodity that college students spend money on daily. With their busy schedules, college students often end up making impulse buys on pricey food items which affect their limited weekly budget. These splurges may include expensive coffee, junk food and food chain meals.

Food budgeting is one of the necessary skills a student can develop while in college. It’s important to learn how to save money in college because it’s a preparation for life in the real world. There are many ways to keep food expenses at a minimum, here are some tips:

Grocery

  • Use coupons. Buying food from the grocery is a smart way to save money on food. Coupons help further lessen your total food expenses. Scan through your mail and Sunday paper for coupons you could use.
  • Buy store brands. Go for the store brands if they are available since they come cheaper than brand name items. In many cases, the only difference you’ll notice is in the packaging.
  • Buy in bulk. Maximize your savings by buying some food items in bulk. This applies to staples like coffee, cheese, pasta and beer for some. Do your grocery with your roommates and just split the bill later.

Dining out

  • Attend events. Instead of dining out, find out if there is an event going on in campus. Most organized events include a free dinner for its attendees.
  • Say pass. When dining out gets too frequent, it won’t hurt to say pass on some occasions. It’s cheaper and sometimes healthier to eat at home instead.
  • Scout for discounts. Before dining out, do a little search online for ongoing promos or discount coupons. Sites like Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com always have something interesting to offer.

Snacks

  • Carry water. Why buy bottled water when you can always bring one from home. Water is also cheaper than any other flavored beverage. It also helps keep you satiated, therefore reducing unnecessary snacking.
  • Make your own snack. Store bought sandwich can set you back a few bucks. Sandwiches and other snacks besides chips can be made at home using grocery-bought ingredients. You can add all the filling you like without worrying too much about the additional cost.
  • Shop at the dollar store. The dollar store is filled with great bargains including snack foods and condiments. Get party and movie snacks from the dollar store to save money.

Cheap food isn’t always equivalent to bad food or empty calories. These tips should help a college student eat better without letting their limited budget suffer. The money saved can then be used to buy used college textbooks or other needs.

How To Save Money On Basic College Room Furnishings

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments


Living away from home in college can entail a long list of expenses. If the advance deposit on an apartment seems enough to turn your pockets inside out, then it’s important to look for ways to save money on other things wherein price can be negotiated to some extent.

Basic college room furnishings need not be expensive as long as they function to meet a student’s needs. Here are some items you need to reconsider splurging on:

1. Bedding – A dorm room or college apartment will not feel like home without a proper bed. Before going out to purchase bedding, take note of the bed or mattress size to avoid having an awkward fitting sheet. Try shopping online or at outlet stores to get sheet sets at a discount. Time your shopping on a “back to school” sale, which happens a few weeks before school starts.

2. Furniture – The best way to save on room furniture is to bring your own since nobody’s going to use them in your room back home anyway. If that’s too impractical, don’t peruse your IKEA catalog just yet. It’s cheaper (sometimes free) to get furniture from yard sales and online sites like freecycle.org and craigslist.org. All you need is a means of transporting the goods back to your place.

3. Computer – A computer is now as essential part of studying in college. To save money on computers, first you have to know your system needs. Are you going to use it for heavy graphics (digital arts) or will an internet browser and a text editor suffice (journalism)? There’s no need to overspend on components you won’t be using much. Similarly, you can just download a freeware operating system and programs instead of buying licensed software.

4. Appliances – If your room doesn’t come with basic appliances, then you can simply bring your own. Again, if that is not feasible, purchase from bargain sources as with the furniture. Another thing to consider is sharing with roommates. Talk to them before making any big purchase because chances are, they might already have one. Otherwise you can split the cost and share the usage of an appliance such as a microwave or a printer.

5. School supplies and housewares – Though these things take up only a little space in a college room, they can be costly if one is not price conscious when buying them. For pens, notebooks plates and utensils, hit the dollar store for quick savings. For bags and other needs, you can turn to the internet or wait for the annual back-to-school sale to come around. Instead of buying new, you can buy used college textbooks online to get them at a fraction of the cost.

These low cost investments should last until you finish college and maybe even years after that. For now, the focus must be on learning and the good life will follow.

How To Survive Your Remaining Spring Break Vacation On A Budget

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

You’re halfway through your spring break but you find yourself running out of things to do. You are not alone. Many college students blow their savings during the first weeks of spring break to travel and have fun. The excitement dwindles down after you come back to your dorm room or apartment with weeks left to spend before classes start again.

Pockets half-empty, what’s next after you post your spring break pictures online? Here are some suggestions:

1. Travel locally. Familiarize yourself with the local scene. This should not create a huge dent on your wallet because you wouldn’t need that much gas to drive within the city limits. You can also use a day pass on the bus if you’re into it. Visit local tourist attractions and museums to learn about the town’s history. For dining and entertainment, check out the most recommended places in yelp.com or other similar websites.

2. Go Home. There’s no need to wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Spend your remaining vacation days at home with your family. This is the best time to get a fresh batch of clothes for summer and raid the cupboard before you go back to independent living. Your folks will surely appreciate your visit. They might even pay for your ticket ride home.

3. Get organized. Spring vacation is the ideal time to clean up last semester’s mess and make room for new books and other study materials. It’s important to have a room that’s conducive for studying. Since you have the extra time now, you can finish the task before your schedule gets hectic again. You can even earn some extra money with this by selling your used college textbooks that you won’t need anymore.

4. Volunteer. Lend your time and skills by volunteering for a good cause. It’s a great way to keep you busy without spending any money. Your campus volunteer office can help you find openings for volunteer work. Take that opportunity to meet new people and expand your network. At the end of the day, you will feel as if you have been recharged emotionally.

5. Exercise. Don’t allow yourself to get glued on the TV or computer for hours because it may have a long term effect on your eyesight and posture. Instead, devote a part of that time to do exercises. They don’t have to be structured exercises. Anything that gets your body moving should be good enough. Take advantage of the crisp weather by going outside to jog for a few minutes everyday.

Cheap thrills can be as fun and exciting as costly spring break adventures. Just remember to bring the right attitude in whatever you choose to do to spend the rest of your spring break vacation on a budget.

How To Save Money On College Housing

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

The question of where to live in college has baffled freshmen students for years. Finding the best college housing that suits your needs and more importantly your budget, is a difficult task. There are so many living spaces to choose from but the competition for the good ones is fierce.

Each housing option has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you’ve ruled out living at home because it’s in another state or it’s too much trouble to travel to and from on a daily basis, then it’s time to pack your bags. Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to consider when looking for college housing. Here are 5 tips to help you save money on college accommodation:

1. Location. Living on or off campus is probably the next decision you’d make after selecting a college or university. Each has its own list of pros and cons that you have to weigh before making a selection. Living in the campus dorm could be more affordable but the environment may be too immature or restrictive to some. Working students may prefer to live off-campus because of the freedom and the rental record they can use for post-college living. Depending on the location, an off-campus apartment might mean more expenses towards food, gas and utilities.

2. Search early. Be ahead of the game and scout for a place early. Check the campus housing office for in-campus and off-campus options. You can also look for apartment listings from the web, real estate agents, PennySavers and neighborhood fliers distributed in local stores. Try to list a handful of prospects so you have a number of places to choose from. Take your time when making a decision because some apartments may require you to sign up for a year’s lease which means you’ll lose your initial deposit if you terminate your contract early.

3. Ask questions. Check the campus bulletin boards and ask experienced upperclassmen for their recommendations on good dorm buildings or apartments in the town. Some good apartments may only be known through word-of-mouth. When making an inquiry, ask about rent deals like “1 month off” or “free internet”, that way you can take an item off your monthly expenses. Another important thing to do is ask for an apartment walk through. This will give you a chance to check the place for immediate repair needs as well as damages and markings that could be taken from your security deposit

4. Share your lodging. When you rent a place for yourself, you are the solely responsible for all the bills that will arrive each month. Sometimes, having a roommate can make things easier on the pocket, as well as on household chores. When looking for a roommate, don’t forget to do a background check for safety purposes. Decide whether you’ll split the bill on meals and utilities or if those will be added on the monthly rent. When school break rolls around, you can have your apartment sublet for a few weeks to eliminate the idea of renting an empty apartment.

5. Get involved in school. One way to save money in the dorms is to help out in cleaning or cooking duties. That will provide you free meals at the very least. Applying for a student assistant job in campus may entitle you for a discount on dorm fees, if not a free one. Big universities have the budget to provide accommodation to those qualified. Inquire about housing privileges for school talents or sports athletes and see if you can make it on their team. Explore other money-making strategies you can get involved into like selling used text books, and organizing fund raisers.

All these should lessen the financial burden of paying for housing in college. Your few years in college should be spent in a place that’s safe and conducive for learning. A carefully selected accommodation should be enough to make you feel at home, away from home.

4 Money Lessons For College

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Kim with 0 COmments

Many college students accumulate huge amounts of dollars of debt each year. Aside from student loans, college debt due to lack of money handling skills is one of the top factors students fall out from school. Working students frequently find themselves on the grind trying to pay off financial debt rather than earning extra income for their studies.

Money will not make grades higher but it is a requirement to survive college. Life in college is like a training ground for life in the real world where maturity is put to the test. Here are some money lessons college students must learn to be smarter in their finances.

1. Have a Spending Budget

Money shortage can be prevented by allotting a spending budget for your daily needs. Take some time to list down your expenses like gas, meals, rent, books and clothes. After that, figure out how much cash you expect to have at your disposal just about every month which may come from your mom and dad , scholarship stipend or part-time job. That can give you an idea how much money you have to set aside before thinking about your ‘wants’.

Once you get a rough estimate of how much your spending budget should be, you can concentrate on schoolwork and not worry about money. You may seek for means to earn extra cash so you can start saving at the same time. It seems simple but many college students get carried away with spending due to lack of budgeting discipline. The important thing to remember about having a budget is to stick to it.

2. Live a College Way of Life

Suppose you’re getting above average salary on your part-time job or your financial aid is more than sufficient. Your mind is probably already busy thinking where to spend all that extra money. The independence that comes with being in college does not come with financial independence. Bear in mind that you need to pay back your student loans, for one. You may seem to have much more money now, but that’s probably there for your additional expenses in college and future bills to pay.

Do you really need to buy coffee by the cup and have meals delivered everytime? Being a student makes it okay for you to bring homemade lunch and keep a not-so-latest cell phone. You can save a lot of money by buying or selling used college books. Take advantage of college discounts given in restaurants and transportation. Some student organizations may have connections with retail shops where you can also get discounted purchases. Try to live a college lifestyle while you’re still one, that way your spending would be kept at a minimum.

3. Be Weary of Credit Cards

It may not be your first time to encounter credit cards, but you may get overwhelmed by the sheer number of offers you would receive when you step into college. It’s surprising how a lot of institutions want to lend you money even if you can’t barely pay for your cellphone bill.

Credit cards can without a doubt be a lifesaver in times of need but be mindful of using it too often. Credit card companies generate income through interest and penalty fees. Bear in mind that credit cards are one of the reasons people get swallowed up in financial debt. Choose which credit card you want to keep – the one with the very best terms – and basically cut and junk everything else you get.

4. Be Smart About Student Loans

First of all, student loans are there to fill the monetary needs of students for school such as tuition costs and college books. If there’s anything else you should be serious about apart from studies in college, it’s spending the cash from student loans. A big chunk of the money you get from your school financial aid most probably came from student loans which will need to be paid back after you graduate.

Taking out a loan is indeed a better move than acquiring a cash advance on your credit card, for example. College loans carry a low interest rate and will not be a burden until you are done with college. It seems simple enough to pay it back when you get your first job. The problem is that you may get tempted to blow the cash and end up needing another loan to recover. It’s essential to keep track of where your loaned money goes. The less funds you borrow, the quicker it is to pay it back.

Money mistakes in college could lead your post-graduate career on a slow start. Try not to spend more than what you can pay for now or even after you graduate. Your school experience can still be fun even if you scrimp sometimes. Avoid debt buildup by becoming smart with your finances.