It is thrilling to start your own learning journey again for the new semester as a university or college student, whether you are a freshie or a senior. There are many aspects that you probably need to bump into throughout the years of study. Some may not even think about any ways on how to save money as a student and just go with the flow. Hence, if you are about to start your new semester soon, still in the university or college, or even having your siblings/relatives at tertiary institutions, here are a few tips on what you shouldn’t do as a university or college student.

1. Tend to skip classes

Some may think that attending class is not compulsory. This is a misconception. Be cautious that there are lecturers who evaluate their students’ attendance as a part of the assessment. Thus, do come to classes consistently. You can gain knowledge and learn more effectively through class activities and discussions. By attending classes will not only help you to pass your assignments and exams with flying colours, but also hinder you from paying the semester fee twice. It’s not a really worthwhile action to take the semester again for the second time. Thus, do come to classes and it’s certainly worth your time and money.

2. Unwilling to take part in any co-curricular or extracurricular activities

Grab the chance to participate in any activities organized by your university or college. By becoming a member of any societies and clubs, you will be able to develop your soft skills, acquire new knowledge and widen your horizons. Hence, do involve in curricular activities so that you can include and indicate your contributions for the clubs/societies in your resume later.

3. Overspend on unnecessary things

Sometimes, you may encounter a situation in which you probably do not know whether you do really need to buy certain things. For instance, it is okay to buy Starbucks drinks or bubble tea once in a while. However, buying it frequently indeed will cost you a lot of money and perhaps this will lead you to overspend your budget daily. Do try to stick and adapt to your daily or even monthly budget. Otherwise, you will end up feeling guilty and regret about the excessive things that you buy.

4. Bring a car to university or college

No doubt that it is convenient when you drive to your university/college or even come to classes by car. Perhaps, there is no issue among those who are coming from wealthy families. However, this is not the best option for freshies or the first-year students. It is better to use the transport provided by your university or college. This is because normally the university/college will provide you the nearest accommodation so that you can even walk to classes and reach your faculty effortlessly. Furthermore, opt for the transportation options that are available for the students such as bus and bicycle. This action will not only help you to save money on fuel but also avoid you from getting stuck in a traffic jam.

5. Buy new textbooks hastily

Purchasing new textbooks for every semester will only cause you a headache in terms of finance. Another better solution for you is to look for your seniors of the same course program or faculty apart from searching for the books at the library. You can also borrow or buy the reference books from them. Your seniors have more experience in the subject matter and do ask them about meaningful tips on searching for course notes and good books.

6. Using credit cards

It is not a wise option if you decided to use credit cards throughout your years of study as a student. If you are not able to carefully manage your credit card, it will only give you more troubles instead of benefits. Therefore, try to search for a part-time job. Getting a part-time job will not only help you to earn pocket money and develop soft skills but also can be an added bonus point for you to consider it as your work experience. You can even include your related part-time job in the resume to wow the recruiters once you are ready to find a proper job later after your graduation.

7. Do not have goals and plans

Your student’s life will go haywire if you do not have goals and plans. Make sure that you do plan your goals and try your best in education so that you can graduate on time. Otherwise, you might lose extra money by staying in university or college longer than usual. Hence, do your best and have the positive mindset that having your tertiary education will open up more opportunities for you and your future career.

8. Afraid to ask questions or ask for help

Some students are quite shy or afraid to ask questions in class or when asking for help. This is because they probably worry that by asking questions will make them look weak and less ingenious. As a tertiary student, you still need to rely on others for knowledge, guidance and advice. Most of the time, reaching out to your lecturers and seniors can also be the best solution to your doubts other than searching for the answers via the internet. Moreover, if you ask a question in class, your lecturer will know that you have the desire to learn and want to know more about the topic being discussed. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. According to an ancient Chinese proverb, “He who asks a question remains a fool for 5 minutes. He who does not ask, remains a fool forever.”