7 Things You Should Know How To Do In College

By Karla Bennaton on February 13, 2016

The feeling of freedom and independence when you come to college is incomparable. But with freedom also comes responsibility. Although college is a time to go out and have fun, it’s also a time to get serious and handle business. A lot of people come to college without a clue in the world and it’s their first time doing a lot of things like cooking and writing a check. College is definitely a learning experience but it would be so much easier if you came here knowing how to do a few things that would make your life easier. Here are ten things that you should be able to do if you’re in college:

1.Write a check

We live in an era where we don’t use checks as often as our parents or our grandparents did. But if you’ve never had to write a check you’re in for a surprise because most apartments preferred method of payments is checks. Writing checks is actually fairly easy, but you’d be surprised to learn how many people have never written one or actually have no idea how to fill one out. The good thing is you can always ask your parents or another family member but if you don’t have anyone around there’s always google!

2. Change a tire

You many not have a car but someone you know has a car and they’re the most common mediums of transportation in this century. There is nothing worse than being in a car that gets a flat tire and neither you or the driver know how to change a tire. It’s very important to know because you never know what situation you’ll be in. You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and no way to fix it. Do yourself a huge favor and learn how to change a tire A.S.A.P.

3. Perform CPR

Becoming CPR/FA certified is not just for the paramedics or the lifeguards, anyone can become CPR certified. Most schools offer discounted or even free CPR certification classes. CPR/AED and First Aid certifications are valid for up to two years so if you get one you won’t have to renew for a while. It’s very common for people to drown at public pools and at the beach so if you’re around and you know how to perform CPR you could be saving lives!

4. Cook and clean

It sounds silly and so simple but the amount of people who come to college and don’t even know how to make a simple meal or clean their bathroom is astounding. Some people never had to clean a day in their life until they got to college. But your roommates will thank you if you just clean up after yourself and don’t leave a bunch of dishes sitting in the sink. As far as food, if you just learn how to make eggs, pasta, and a protein like chicken or beef then you’ll be golden. You will save money and you won’t resort to eating cereal when you’re hungry.

5. Balance your budget

If your parents were proactive while you were growing up, they showed you how to save money and maybe even opened up a bank account for you. But if they didn’t its never too late to learn. Make a weekly or monthly budget, whatever you find most convenient but do it. You will save so much money and you will realize how much money you spend on stupid things that you don’t need.

6. File your taxes

Filing taxes? It never crossed my mind that I had to do that or that I even knew how to until I got to college. You can get away with your parents claiming you on their taxes until the time that you graduate from school due to financial aid purposes. But if you have a part time job, then you should start doing your taxes while you’re in school. It will familiarize you with the process and you’ll know exactly what you’re doing once it’s your turn to file taxes on your own.

7. Ride bike

If you have a bike, bring it with you to college! Parking spaces on campus are often limited and it can be a pain to park your car when you’re on a time crunch. Those 8 AM classes are no joke and students usually have to leave their house up to 1 hour before their classes begin so that they can make it on time. If you know how to ride bike and you have access to one, you should definitely bring it with you to school so that you have an alternate method of transportation when those parking lots are full.

 

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