Monday, December 01, 2008

By LAUREN COHEN
McCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWSPAPERS

last updated: August 10, 2008 06:32:19 AM

So, now you're a college student.

As you prepare to start your career in higher education, think back on your life and the "firsts" you have experienced thus far.

Do you remember starting your first day of elementary school? How about your first middle school dance? Remember how great it felt to drive a car for the first time?

Good memories, right?

Firsts are important parts of our lives, and they never stop occurring, especially in college. No doubt freshmen everywhere are anticipating new experiences.

Here are some tips to successfully navigating some firsts you may face while in college:

Your first time away from home

This fall may be the first time you move away from your family. You're probably both excited and a little scared about leaving, and that's normal.

"Missing what's familiar is natural -- but pretty soon, new people and places will become familiar, too," said D'Arcy Lyness, medical editor for the Nemours Foundation and an adolescent psychologist, in an e-mail interview. Lyness explains how you can adjust if you are struggling with being away from home:

Get comfortable in your new environment by getting involved and participating in activities you like.

Stick around on the weekends so you can get to know people and have new experiences.

Don't concentrate on being away from home. Find out what you like about your campus and focus on those things.

Keep in contact with your loved ones from home, but make sure you're not giving them most of your attention.

Decorate your dorm room in ways that remind you of home.

Seek out friendships.

Your first part-time job

Once you start paying for things on your own, you'll realize it isn't cheap to buy groceries or to go out on Friday night. Although many students start working in high school, you may never have felt the need to get a job until now.

Emily Strader, the student employment coordinator for University Career Services at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, fills us in on how to snag a good part-time job:

When you go to apply, make sure you dress appropriately and ask to see the manager.

If you do not hear from the business within seven to 10 days after returning the application, go back and speak with the manager.

Restrict yourself to 12 to 15 hours of work a week, or only three shifts a week.

Look for jobs that pay at least $7 an hour.

Consider working in the restaurant or baby-sitting/caregiving businesses. Servers tend to make good money in tips, and baby-sitters and caregivers are paid higher hourly amounts.

Avoid office jobs that require you to work all day, every day.

Your first credit card

You should probably get your first part-time job before you apply for your first credit card, or you could find yourself in a precarious credit situation. Opening lines of credit can affect your credit score -- positively or negatively. Similar to a GPA, a credit score is a cumulative rating of your credit performance. Your score affects everything from the interest rates you are offered to whether or not you can buy a car or a home. Suffice to say, it's important.

Beth Kobliner, author of "Get a Financial Life," provides some tips on what you need to know before getting your first card:

Research different credit card companies' offers.

Look for a card with low interest rates (also known as low APR) and no annual fees.

Make credit card payments on time. If you don't, your credit score will suffer.

Use your card only for emergencies, or for things you could pay for in cash.

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