There are some costs that you will incur only as a college student; for example, tuition and registration fees, books and supplies, and housing costs if you live in an on-campus dormitory or apartment.
Tuition and registration fees are fixed costs that often increase from year to year.
If you live in on-campus housing, you may have some control over how much you will pay by deciding to live in a unit that has more people, including sharing a bedroom with a roommate.
There are ways to reduce the costs of books and supplies:
- Buy used books (you usually need to shop early)
- Buy discounted books through online resources
- Share books with a classmate (this requires self-discipline and time management to make sure you each have ample time to read and do the work)
- Use a book rental program, if available
- Trade books with friends and roommates (I’ll use the Econ book this semester and you can use it next semester. You use the Marketing book this semester and I’ll use it next semester)
- Use books that faculty put on reserve at the library or online
- Buy only the books that will be required reading
Be cautious in buying supplies for the new semester. Only buy what you absolutely need.