Comments on: 9 Ways to Maximize Time in College http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/ Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:05:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Matt http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-185466 Matt Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:34:00 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-185466 I think the main thing that should be focused on, is not speeding up college to cut costs, rather maximizing your returns on your investments. As a senior in college who just switched majors, I came to the realization that my original major was only worth a high salary if I attended graduate school. By switching majors, and extending college by one year now, I will be saving two years of graduate school costs later, and also start earning a great salary in a year. I think the main thing that should be focused on, is not speeding up college to cut costs, rather maximizing your returns on your investments. As a senior in college who just switched majors, I came to the realization that my original major was only worth a high salary if I attended graduate school. By switching majors, and extending college by one year now, I will be saving two years of graduate school costs later, and also start earning a great salary in a year.

]]> By: Debbie M http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-184824 Debbie M Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:34:33 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-184824 I'm surprised all of these are about classes. College is also an excellent place to learn things outside of class. Good ideas include: * join organizations to learn new things, meet people, and gain leadership skills * get a part-time job - working ten hours a week has been shown to help with grades, not to mention help you minimize your student debt * move away from home, with roommates or to a coop - transition more easily to independent living and learn what you like in roommates and housing * participate in intramural sports - try new things and stay in shape * study abroad - get credit while learning about another culture * volunteer - learn things, meet people, help others * get an internship - see what worklife is like * do research - get to know a faculty member and learn some field more deeply * date people, go to parties, etc. And of course, go to class, do the homework, try to do a good job, and get study partners. I’m surprised all of these are about classes. College is also an excellent place to learn things outside of class. Good ideas include:
* join organizations to learn new things, meet people, and gain leadership skills
* get a part-time job - working ten hours a week has been shown to help with grades, not to mention help you minimize your student debt
* move away from home, with roommates or to a coop - transition more easily to independent living and learn what you like in roommates and housing
* participate in intramural sports - try new things and stay in shape
* study abroad - get credit while learning about another culture
* volunteer - learn things, meet people, help others
* get an internship - see what worklife is like
* do research - get to know a faculty member and learn some field more deeply
* date people, go to parties, etc.

And of course, go to class, do the homework, try to do a good job, and get study partners.

]]> By: Jenna http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-184224 Jenna Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:50:15 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-184224 You know, you forgot one way to maximize: Be sure you should be in college!! Many students could benefit from a gap year between high school and college to get their heads straight and work in the real world for a bit. If I had done that, I might have been in a different situation. As it is, I ended up racking up $15K in student loans, $8k in credit card debt, and $2k in debt to the school. This was for 3 semesters of a private school while I was working 2 jobs, picking up a 2nd major just for the scholarship it offered, and trying desperately to better my situation. The final result was all that debt and no degree yet, mainly because I had to leave school from lack of funds and stress. Oh, and the other cost was 14 years of my life. Now, I get to start school over at age 32, unless I want to keep being a waitress forever. Make damned sure you want to be in school! You know, you forgot one way to maximize: Be sure you should be in college!!

Many students could benefit from a gap year between high school and college to get their heads straight and work in the real world for a bit.

If I had done that, I might have been in a different situation. As it is, I ended up racking up $15K in student loans, $8k in credit card debt, and $2k in debt to the school. This was for 3 semesters of a private school while I was working 2 jobs, picking up a 2nd major just for the scholarship it offered, and trying desperately to better my situation. The final result was all that debt and no degree yet, mainly because I had to leave school from lack of funds and stress.

Oh, and the other cost was 14 years of my life. Now, I get to start school over at age 32, unless I want to keep being a waitress forever.

Make damned sure you want to be in school!

]]> By: Teri http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-183136 Teri Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:22:19 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-183136 I think for some people these are good points. For me, I paid for school as I went. I took 5 years and wouldn't change a thing. Sure, I could have crammed it all into 4 years and had no life. It might have even saved me a couple of thousand dollars. But I also might have been too burned out with my load and/or done poorly in classes. The idea of college, to me, is not to just rush through. Sometimes taking your time and making the best of it will suit you better in the long haul. Just things to think about. I think for some people these are good points.

For me, I paid for school as I went. I took 5 years and wouldn’t change a thing. Sure, I could have crammed it all into 4 years and had no life. It might have even saved me a couple of thousand dollars. But I also might have been too burned out with my load and/or done poorly in classes. The idea of college, to me, is not to just rush through. Sometimes taking your time and making the best of it will suit you better in the long haul. Just things to think about.

]]> By: Hilary http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-182965 Hilary Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:42:35 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-182965 I agree with fern above. I declared my major early, but now I have added a second major. Sure, I could have graduated early if I hadn't declared this second major, but I wouldn't have realized what I want to do for the rest of my life. Also, now I am a more competitive applicant to grad school. I love this site, but I don't like this series on college stuff. I guess my values differ from other people's on this subject. But let me just say that eventually you have to spend your money somewhere, and spending it on your or your kids' education seems like the right way to spend it. I have a friend who got into Princeton, but then went to her state school because she had a scholarship there. Then her parents went and bought a Lexus. Those don't seem like the right priorities to me... I agree with fern above. I declared my major early, but now I have added a second major. Sure, I could have graduated early if I hadn’t declared this second major, but I wouldn’t have realized what I want to do for the rest of my life. Also, now I am a more competitive applicant to grad school.

I love this site, but I don’t like this series on college stuff. I guess my values differ from other people’s on this subject. But let me just say that eventually you have to spend your money somewhere, and spending it on your or your kids’ education seems like the right way to spend it. I have a friend who got into Princeton, but then went to her state school because she had a scholarship there. Then her parents went and bought a Lexus. Those don’t seem like the right priorities to me…

]]> By: My English Castle http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-182945 My English Castle Sat, 15 Dec 2007 06:31:16 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-182945 How about something really odd like GO TO CLASS! I've had several students fail this term, for simply missing too many classes. I'm sure some had decent reasons, but some just can't handle an 8am class, and shouldn't sign up for one no matter what! How about something really odd like GO TO CLASS! I’ve had several students fail this term, for simply missing too many classes. I’m sure some had decent reasons, but some just can’t handle an 8am class, and shouldn’t sign up for one no matter what!

]]> By: Minimum Wage http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-182856 Minimum Wage Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:46:35 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-182856 I know, I was being a woseguy. I "maximized" the time I was in college by taking classes part time wqhile working my way through school. The end result was that I graduated at the bottom of a recession instead of before the recession. I know, I was being a woseguy.

I “maximized” the time I was in college by taking classes part time wqhile working my way through school.

The end result was that I graduated at the bottom of a recession instead of before the recession.

]]> By: Michael http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-182821 Michael Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:42:09 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-182821 Hey Minimum Wage 9 ways to Maximize your time in college- Maximize as in make the most of your time. Hey Minimum Wage

9 ways to Maximize your time in college- Maximize as in make the most of your time.

]]> By: fern http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-182787 fern Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:16:47 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-182787 I think it's unrealistic to expect all kids to know what they want to major in right out of the gate, and suggest they do it by the end of their first year. It's such an important decision. It's great if you have a clear and defiite idea of what your direction is, but many students would benefit by having more time to explore their options. Pressuring kids to declare a major, any major, is not really productive. I think it’s unrealistic to expect all kids to know what they want to major in right out of the gate, and suggest they do it by the end of their first year.

It’s such an important decision. It’s great if you have a clear and defiite idea of what your direction is, but many students would benefit by having more time to explore their options. Pressuring kids to declare a major, any major, is not really productive.

]]> By: Minimum Wage http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/12/14/9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college/#comment-182778 Minimum Wage Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:49:52 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/12/14/101961_9-ways-to-maximize-time-in-college.html#comment-182778 Wouldn't you want to MINIMIZE the time you are in college? Wouldn’t you want to MINIMIZE the time you are in college?

]]>