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If you’re like many students, starting college means striking out on your own, forging your path through life, and developing the skills that are sure to result in financial success. At least that’s the dream, right? But what happens when going off to college means leaving behind the familiarity of your family and friends? Or living in a new city that you have no idea how to navigate? What about striving to make ends meet financially and finally understanding what it means to budget? What is Ramen anyway?

College isn’t always what we conjure up in our heads. While it is a time of self-growth and development, getting a foothold in your new chapter can be challenging.  Because of that, we’re sharing a few tips to help you embrace the unfamiliar and start making new friends in college. 

Get out of your comfort zone.

We can give you countless ideas, but they all start with this one piece of advice. If you want to make new friends, you’ll have to get a little uncomfortable. But when you think about it, that’s a massive part of what college is about, right? To create new experiences and meet people, you’ll have to leave the comfort of your dorm room and put yourself out there. We’ll talk about a few different ways to do this, but it’s essential to go into this process expecting to do more than just what’s familiar. This is about being “ok” with not having a grasp on this phase of life.

Make friends in your dorm.

At no other time in your life will you be living with this many people. Living in a dorm doesn’t just mean living with roommates or suitemates. It means there’s a whole building of people you can get to know. Most dorms are equipped with community rooms of some kind, so an easy way to branch out and get to know people would be by doing your homework in a community room instead of your own bedroom. Since many students live on campus and don’t need a car, you could offer to carpool to the market or even create “watch parties” of your favorite TV shows. Post opportunities for group outings on the bulletin board and keep the RA in the loop of any sight-seeing trips around the city. The more you engage with people, the more your relationships will grow over time. 

Bonus tip: a sure-fire way to make friends in college is to ask your mom to bake some treats and share them with people in your dorm — everybody loves cookies. 

Consider an open door policy.

Whenever it’s appropriate, don’t be afraid to leave your room door open. Besides being a signal that you welcome small talk, you never know when another student will hear what music you’re playing, show you’re watching or even overhear what you’re talking about with your roommates. Remember that the freshmen on your floor are looking for opportunities to connect, just like you are.

Looking for friends? Join the club. 

College campuses are full of extracurricular opportunities. From academic organizations and Greek life to hobby-based clubs and everything in between, there’s likely a way you can get plugged in with students who share a common interest. “Welcome Week” is a popular semester kick-off event where clubs set up booths and give out freebies like food and t-shirts. Do your homework and make a list of some you’d like to know more about. Pace yourself, and resist the urge to sign up for everything that remotely sounds interesting. When you first start college, it can be fun to get an idea of what each group is like, but overextending yourself can backfire. 

Joining a fraternity or sorority is a fail-proof way of making friends in college. Many fraternities and sororities focus on community involvement and leadership development, and there’s always an opportunity for an upperclassman to guide you through your college years. If Greek life is for you, take the time to understand the process of recruiting, rushing and pledging here.

Get an on-campus job.

Want a fool-proof way of making friends in college? Live and work in the same place. Whether it’s at the school bookstore or coffeeshop, you can literally get paid and get to know people at the same time. Visit your campus Career Services center and they’ll give you a list of all the jobs you can apply for. Better yet, they’ll be able to coach you on your interview skills and help make your resume irresistible to employers. If you’re not making regular appointments with the Career Services staff you’re missing out on a very valuable resource.

Break the ice with a classmate. 

It may seem hard, but you can do it. Get past the awkward and get to know a classmate. If just introducing yourself isn’t your speed, then ask a classmate if they understood the assignment or if the class is what they thought it’d be. People may shy away from talking about themselves initially, so forging a bond over the dislike of oxford commas  is a fine place to start. 

If you’re assigned a study group, be active and participate in discussion. Take opportunities to ask questions and pay attention to what your classmates are saying. 

Making friends in college might seem like a daunting task, but just be yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and it will start to come naturally for you. 

Learn more about navigating the college years

What I Would Have Told Myself in College – Barbara Thomas

Advice From A University of Tennessee Knoxville Graduate on Attending College

Note: Links to other websites are provided as a convenience only. A link does not imply SouthEast Bank’s sponsorship or approval of any other site. SouthEast Bank does not control the content of these sites.

In college, you don’t have much disposable income, so you must find ways to reduce your outgoing expenses. While it’s easy to pretend that your financial decisions don’t count until after you finish college, being smart with your money in college will save you thousands. Here are ten common ways that college students waste money.

1. Eating out too often.

Spending $5, $10, or $15 for each meal starts to add up pretty quickly. While fast food and takeout present themselves as reasonably convenient options, they truly aren’t worth the money (or your health). We know it may seem like a hassle to cook your own meals, and sometimes your campus dining hall might not be the most appealing (if you have a meal plan), but choosing these options could save you hundreds each month. 

2. Buying new textbooks

New textbooks cost significantly more than used textbooks. If your campus bookstore doesn’t have a used copy, take the time to look for it online. You could also share a book with a friend or borrow one from someone who’s already taken the class. You could even download a digital copy. This will save you significant money over the semesters.

3. Not using campus resources.

Beyond the cost of tuition, colleges often have fees you must pay for specific services on campus. These include fees for health services, the campus center, technology, fitness center, etc. These services are meant to support the academic environment and provide value to you. Take advantage of these services that you’re already paying for. Use the health services when you are sick, use the campus fitness center instead of buying a gym membership, and get your computer fixed on campus if they provide services. 

4. Skipping classes.

If you divide the cost of your tuition per semester by the number of classes you attend, you’ll likely be surprised at how much you are paying per class. Take advantage of the money you’re spending by attending class and getting the knowledge you went to school for. 

5. Withdrawing from classes after the drop date.

If you’re going to drop a class, make sure you do it before the drop deadline. This is typically about two weeks after the start date of the course. Dropping a class after the drop deadline means that you’ll be forfeitting that portion of your tuition. 

6. Failing classes.

One of the most costly mistakes that college students make is failing classes. Make sure you study up and don’t miss your lectures. If the course that you fail is required for your major, then you’ll have to pay for the class twice. If you foresee difficulty in a class, make sure you find a study group, tutor, or friend that can help you get through it with a passing grade. 

7. Overdecorating.

You obviously want your home away from home to be cozy, but don’t go overboard here. There are plenty of cheap decor superstores around that can bring your dorm to life. Consider setting a tight budget for your dorm decor before you start decorating.

8. Using credit cards.

Since you typically don’t have a ton of bills in college, don’t use a credit card for anything other than emergencies. Some studies have shown that college students with credit cards rack up $3,000 to $5,000 in credit card debt by the time they graduate. Get in the habit of using a debit card or cash only. Here are some more tips for avoiding credit card debt. 

9. Visiting expensive spring break destinations.

While a spring break in Panama City Beach is on many college students’ bucket lists, it’s really not necessary. Consider taking a trip to visit a friend’s hometown, going on a camping trip, or even going home to visit your family. Once you graduate and have a full-time job, you’ll have plenty more opportunities to visit tropical destinations. 

10. Missing out on student deals.

Whenever you’re about to buy something, remember to break out your student ID! Many companies offer exclusive benefits to college students, generally in the form of discounts. Finding out where these deals are could save you a decent amount of money while in school (and possibly after school too). For online services (such as Apple Music and Spotify), you may be able to use your student email address to earn a discount. 

While college days can be seen as a time to be care-free, the financial decisions you make now, as well as the habits you build, will affect your life after college. Be sure that you’re doing all you can to save money in college. Your bank accounts (and your parents) will thank you. 

Note: Links to other websites are provided as a convenience only. A link does not imply SouthEast Bank’s sponsorship or approval of any other site. SouthEast Bank does not control the content of these sites.

When your college days come to a close, there are a lot of unknowns about what life will be like. You’ve been student for the majority of your life, so thinking about what life will be like after college can be a bit scary. Not only are you transitioning from college student to working professional, but your social life will also see major changes. Not to mention dealing with the financial responsibilities of the “real world”. Here are 9 tips that can make this transition easier.

Make new friends.

A harsh reality of graduating from college is that you and many of your friends will likely head your separate ways. While you should try to keep your best friends close, you may lose touch with a few over time. Try to make friends with people you work with or get involved with your community in order to meet new people.

Say goodbye to free time.

Your college class schedule likely only took up a few hours each day. You may have even had days off. Once you have a full-time job, days off will come a lot less often. You’ll be lucky to get two weeks worth of paid vacation at your first entry-level job. Learning how to use this free time to reenergize or benefit yourself is going to be key to your overall well-being.

Set goals.

You’ve achieved your goal of getting a college degree, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. Setting goals for your professional life will be imperative to achieving success. Your dream job won’t be handed to you, and you won’t climb the ladder in your company with average effort. You’ll also want to set goals for your personal life – what kind of life you want to lead, whether you want a family, where you want to live, etc. Setting goals for yourself on a regular basis will keep you motivated.

Change sleeping habits.

While all-nighters can happen from time to time in college, staying up through the night can’t happen when you’re trying to maintain a working lifestyle. Naps are also typically out of the question. Learning how to get to bed at a decent hour will keep you healthier physically and mentally. Aiming for 8 hours is a good goal (thought it doesn’t always happen).

Purchase work attire.

Jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts might not be of much use to you if you’re transitioning into the corporate arena. While it’s fun to have some style, you’ll be wearing business casual apparel 5 days of the week if you’re working full-time. Invest in an appropriate wardrobe, and don’t go overboard by purchasing from top brands.

Find a place to live.

Deciding where you want to live after college is a big decision. Some people will move back home to live with their parents and save money. If you don’t have job lined up, this may be your only option – but don’t be afraid to look for jobs away from home. Living with your parents after a few years of living independently can be a difficult transition. If you’re not going to live with your parents – Do you want to rent or buy? Do you want a roommate? Do you want to move out of state? These are just a few of the questions you need to consider.

Learn to manage your finances.

As soon as you land a job, you should enroll in a 401k, 403b, or another retirement plan. This will allow you to plan a sound retirement as well as teach you how to save money. You will also need to budget wisely. If you are low on cash for the month and your rent or mortgage is due, don’t buy those shoes you have been eyeing. Wait until you can afford them. Furthermore, if you use credit cards on a regular basis, try to pay off the balance in full each month. Once you are in debt, it takes a lot of will power to get out of it.

Be prepared for entry-level jobs.

Even though you have a college degree, don’t expect to have the perfect job and bring in a huge paycheck. A large number of the jobs available to new grads are entry-level. These jobs often require long hours, low pay, and hard work. Most employers want to see all employees start at a certain level in order to better understand the business. Working hard at this entry-level job will show your employer that you are dedicated and thus open up new doors for you.

Network wisely.

As you transition from college life to the working world, don’t overlook important associations that can contribute to your professional advancement. Stay in contact with old professors, friends, or family members who have connections with people in major corporations and organizations. These people may let you know when they are aware of opportunities that could benefit you.

Knowing what to expect after graduation and following some of these guidelines should help launch your post college life on a positive note. The transition into the “real world” may be shocking at first, but you will become acclimated to it after a while. Good luck!

One of the best ways to lower your monthly student loan payments is by refinancing your existing loans at a lower interest rate, a longer term, or a combination of both. You can refinance just one loan or consolidate a bunch of loans into one single payment plan. Here’s an important statistic you should know: ELFI student loan refinance customers have reported that they save an average of $309 per month1. Just imagine what you could do with an extra $309 every month. 

The Fun Stuff

While refinancing your student loans is normally a decision you make to propel yourself toward financial freedom, you might want to use your extra cash on the little things that make life fun. Here are some ideas:

• Indulge your coffee fix – A Grande Latte before work every day will run you around $76 each month. If you absolutely need to have a Caramel Macchiato, you can splurge to about $93 per month. 

• Take your significant other to a movie every weekend – Movies are expensive, especially if you live in a big city. Movies for two will cost you upwards of $100 per month, not including dinner before or after the show.

Upgrade Your Lifestyle

An extra $309 per month saved by refinancing your student loans is a nice chunk of change, so maybe you should use it more wisely to really improve your lifestyle. Here are some suggestions:

• New Apartment – Are you fed up with living in a tiny studio apartment where you have to maneuver your Murphy bed into the wall to free up space when you have friends over? An extra $300+ every month could go towards a nice one-bedroom apartment with plenty of room for a dog. 

• Transportation – Are you still driving around in that used car your parents bought for you when you went to college? Is it on its last leg? Are you wondering what on earth you’re going to do when it finally gives out? You could use this extra cash on car payments for that new vehicle you’ve had your eye on. 

Empower Your Financial Future

Let’s suppose you choose not to spend the money you saved by refinancing your student loans, but instead use it to enhance your financial future. What might this involve? Here are three ideas.

• An Emergency Fund – No one is immune to financial emergencies. You never know when your company might have layoffs, and you suddenly find yourself out of a job. Knowing that you have some cash laid aside for such a possibility will make you feel more secure. A good rule of thumb is to have enough money put aside in a savings account to cover anywhere from three to six months of living expenses. An emergency fund can also come in handy when you find yourself with an unplanned burden, such as your car breaking down or your beloved pet needing to see the vet. If you don’t have savings to tap into, you’ll likely have no choice but to ask friends and family for cash or resort to credit card debt.

• Invest for Your Retirement – Ok, this doesn’t sound very exciting, and you’re only in your twenties, so you may ask, “Why should I be thinking about retirement?” However, the earlier you begin to save for retirement, the more your money will grow thanks to the magic of compounding interest. Here’s an example demonstrating how someone who begins to set aside funds at age twenty-five has more money at retirement compared to someone starting at age thirty-five who contributes three times as much. Think about setting up automatic contributions so that a portion of every paycheck goes into your 401(K) or similar retirement account.

• Pay Off Your Student Loans Quicker – Many college graduates expect to be paying off their student loans well into their 40s. If you find this prospect alarming, you should consider putting the $309 you save every month with ELFI toward paying off your loans. Paying off your student loans early can save you a significant amount of money, as you will be cutting your interest costs. You’ll also avoid the stress that often comes with being in debt.

How to Have an Extra $309 in Your Pocket Every Month

Having read this far, you are probably intrigued and excited at the prospect of refinancing your student loans and saving money on your monthly student loan payments. You probably also have your own ideas of how you might choose to spend the extra cash. However, the first step is to get in touch with ELFI to explore the various refinancing options available to you.* Talk to us today and start saving!

*Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply.

1Average savings calculations are based on information provided by SouthEast Bank/ Education Loan Finance customers who refinanced their student loans between 8/16/2016 and 10/25/2018. While these amounts represent reported average amounts saved, actual amounts saved will vary depending upon a number of factors.

NOTICE: Third Party Web Sites

Education Loan Finance by SouthEast Bank is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics of the websites that have links here. The portal and news features are being provided by an outside source – The bank is not responsible for the content. Please contact us with any concerns or comments. 

In a career search,” How much should I be making?” is a common concern. It is not something that is taught in a classroom and is a topic employers may avoid. In social settings, it can be seen as an inappropriate subject and should not be discussed. If no one is talking about salary, where do you begin? The Internet has several options for how to search for a salary comparison, but there are a few steps you should take prior.

Know Your Personal Value

First, begin by assessing your personal background and preferences. Be sure that you take a look at the education level, job title searching for, total experience in the field, skills, and location. Within your self-worth search, it is important to factor in the salary your lifestyle needs. Consider the lowest salary you can live on and go from there. Remember to also include benefits you may need such as health insurance or a student loan assistance program. All of this will help when you begin to research job comparisons and opportunities.

Research, Research, and ResearcEducate 

After taking a look at your personal values and needs, take your search to the Internet. There are several websites that can calculate salary, so finding one that fits what you are looking for is important. Here are a few helpful websites and what they offer.

Educate to Career – https://www.jobsearchintelligence.com/etc/jobseekers_free_salary_calculator/

The information needed to use the tool includes your job title, the field of interest, experience, and location you provide and uses education levels to predict your salary. This is a more student-focused tool and uses career centers around the United States to generate salaries for the career you are searching for. This is a good starter tool that will ease you into the salary search and is a good place to begin.

Glassdoor® – https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/know-your-worth.htm

Most people know Glassdoor® as a site that posts jobs and helps connect companies to potential employees, but they offer additional tools too.  The Know your Worth Salary calculator is available through Glassdoor®.  This calculator uses marketing trends to give you an idea of what you should be earning. The requested information is your job title, education, skills, and location preferences, and then it will estimate your possible income.  This particular calculator is unique because it will indicate what your salary could be in another region or with an additional degree. Glassdoor® will also show job opportunities available in your preferred field and location. It’s important to note that this tool does not include benefits in the estimated salary.

Payscale® – https://www.payscale.com/my/survey/choose

The salary calculator tool by Payscale will compare employees in the same industry you are searching for to your current total pay (If you are already in the field of interest). If not already in the field, there is an exploring option. The needed information for this tool is your job title, education, skills, experience, and location. The Payscale® tool includes bonuses, overtime pay, and benefits. In addition, it gives in-depth results and can help you find what you could be making in another company or field.

LinkedIn® Salary – https://www.linkedin.com/salary/

LinkedIn®  is a social media channel for professionals looking to network. It connects professionals to possible employers. Linkedin Salary takes this a step further in using the networking application to estimate potential compensation. They give information on the highest paying businesses, regions, and job titles. A bonus is that LinkedIn® Salary includes a current view for the career industry you provided and how salaries in these industries may be impacted in the future.

Using a wide variety of sources can help compare the salaries in your field. By taking advantage of these tools, you can get the most accurate estimate for what you should be offered by an employer.

Moving Forward

Once completing your salary research, look at all of your options. Compare salaries from different industries and understand what would best fit your lifestyle. Find a career that has the right location, job security, and can support you. Remember that if the salary is not what your research indicated, there is always room for negotiation.

3 Steps for Negotiating Salary

NOTICE: Third Party Web Sites
SouthEast Bank is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics of the websites that have links here. The portal and news features are being provided by an outside source – The bank is not responsible for the content. Please contact us with any concerns or comments.