Are you or your freshly graduated eighteen-year-old off to college this fall? As a first time student or parent of a college student, it may be difficult to discern what you (or your student) actually need to make it through that first year. What’s a waste of money? What’s an absolutely, non-negotiable necessity? As a recent college graduate (BA in 2006 and Master’s in 2008, both from the University of Oklahoma), as well as a current college professor, I’m here to give you the heads up and the low down on what you need to know before you even set foot on campus.
Should my child (or I) live in the dorms?
While many think dormitory living is imperative to the college experience, I don’t. Although I enjoyed my time in the dorms (and my time with OU’s Ethernet), looking back I realize I wasted a ton of financial aid when I could have been living with my aunt for free. If living off campus is an option (with a family member or Mom and Dad), I highly recommend it, especially if you are trying to save money. On the other side of things, dormitory living can help you make friends (this is not guaranteed, however) and gives easy access to all things on campus. I think it really depends on what you or your child wants. If your child (or you) thinks that their college experience will be lacking without the dorm life, then go ahead and do it. You don’t want to regret anything.
Should my child (or I) get a meal plan?
If you chose to go the dorm route, then you probably automatically get a meal plan. If you or your student is living off campus, you have to make the choice to use one or not. This is an especially important question for transfer students. Personally, I used a meal plan every year I was an undergrad except my senior year, and I only lived on campus that first year in the dorms. It was more convenient than carrying around cash or a debit/credit card. At OU, meal plans are programmed to go along with your student ID, so all you had to do was swipe it wherever you ate. The only thing bad about meal plans is that sometimes universities don’t roll over your extra money to the next semester, and you lose it. The first few years I lost money because I didn’t finish using my “points” by the end of the semester, but eventually OU changed their policy. I think meal plans are a great idea for undergrads who are on campus a lot for classes and study groups, but watch out for the roll over thing.
Where’s the best place to get textbooks?
As an undergrad, and especially in general education courses, the textbooks are non-negotiable. You have to have them. You can, however, choose where you get them. The university bookstore (and surrounding bookstores around campus; there will be many) will overcharge you by insane amounts, but at the end of the semester you can sell your books back for a fraction of the price (a very tiny fraction). I only bought from them my freshman year. After that, I went to www.ebay.com, www.alibris.com, and, of course, www.amazon.com. While you can’t sell these books back, you can get them so much cheaper it will save you more money than you would have gotten back anyway. Just make sure you get the correct edition.
The Desktop vs. the Laptop
Honestly, if you can’t afford it, there is no reason to buy a computer. College campuses have an abundance of computer labs available for students to use. As far as desktops and laptops are concerned, get your undergrad a desktop. Carrying a laptop around campus all day gets old fast, and students will start leaving their laptops on their desks in the dorms. Also, some professors don’t even allow laptops in their classrooms anymore; internet access is too much of a distraction. A desktop will be just as useful waiting at home for use and cost you less too.
