| If you're going to be a college freshman this | | | | student ID card. |
| September, you should absolutely be working on your | | | | Lastly, now's the time to think about credit cards. You'll |
| tan, taking a summer vacation, and spending time with | | | | most likely be inundated with credit card offers when |
| your high school friends. (It may, after all, be your last | | | | you arrive on campus, which can be a great resource, |
| chance to relax until Thanksgiving vacation.) | | | | but can also get you into a lot of trouble. Think about |
| But in between trips to the pool and trips to the beach, | | | | whether or not you want to have a credit card, and |
| there's a few things you can do to get ready for | | | | what credit limit would be right for you so you can |
| college, which will make your life that much easier | | | | keep your spending in control. Talk with your parents |
| when you land on campus in the fall. | | | | about setting up an account for emergencies only. |
| Talk to Your Roommate | | | | Stock Up on the Essentials |
| Have you talked to your roommate yet? If not, now's | | | | At home, you're probably used to having the |
| the time to figure out who's bringing the fridge, the | | | | basics-toothpaste, aspirin, band-aids-right down the hall |
| Sony PS3, and the microwave. Figure out what you | | | | from you. But these are the things you'll miss the most |
| want to have in your room and split up the list, so each | | | | when you're coming down with a cold in the middle of |
| of you contributes something and you don't end up | | | | the night and there's 5 inches of snow outside your |
| with two flat-screen TVs. | | | | dorm room. |
| Now's also a good time to find out if your roommate is | | | | Start buying the basic things you'll need, from toiletries |
| allergic to your favorite incense, despises country | | | | to sheets to towels. If you watch for sales and |
| music, or is smuggling a pet rabbit into your room. Find | | | | purchase these items throughout the summer, you can |
| out each other's preferences and pet peeves now, so | | | | save yourself a lot of last-minute, expensive panic |
| you can avoid a whole lot of headaches and late-night | | | | shopping when you arrive on campus. |
| arguments later on. | | | | Buy Your School Supplies |
| Set Up Your Finances | | | | School supplies are another great item to buy at your |
| Are you moving out of state? Do you have a bank | | | | local Target or Costco during the summer months. |
| account? How about a credit card? | | | | Pens, notebooks, ink cartridges, and printer paper might |
| These are the questions to ask yourself before you | | | | not cost a lot at home, but the prices at most college |
| pack your bags and leave home, as having your | | | | book stores are extremely inflated. You can even |
| finances in order will be essential to starting your | | | | watch online stores for bulk deals on the items you |
| college career. | | | | know you'll use the most. |
| The first step is to get a bank account, if you don't | | | | Look for Jobs |
| have one already. Since you'll no longer have ready | | | | If you plan on working while you're in school, start |
| access to the Bank of Mom and Dad, you'll need a | | | | looking for and applying for jobs now. With the huge |
| way to withdraw cash for books, supplies, and the | | | | influx of students arriving on campus in September, the |
| all-important late-night pizza run. Setting up a checking | | | | prime internships and jobs will get snapped up right |
| account for bills and a savings account for, you | | | | away. So grab your lap top and check out job listings |
| guessed it, savings, is a great way to get started. | | | | while you're working on your tan. Your school's jobs |
| If you already have a bank account, make sure there | | | | listings are a great place to start, especially if you're |
| are branches close to your school. (Otherwise you | | | | getting a work study grant. Check out local |
| can run up costly ATM fees). If you're moving out of | | | | newspapers and Craig's list too. |
| state, you may want to close your local bank account | | | | Before you leave, don't forget to polish on your |
| and open one you can access from campus. Many | | | | resume and collect a list of references. |
| schools even partner with local and national banks, | | | | For more tips and advice on starting college, check out |
| making it easy to access your account right from your | | | | this college life page. |