Seven Essential Skills for University Students

There are so many facets to university life. Crammed study schedules. Gatherings with friends. The last second need for an online essay writing service. We have all been there before and the next generation will be soon enough. Here are the Seven Essential Skills for University Students.

Thankfully, there are a few learnable skills that every university student can learn to have a more positive overall experience. That’s not to say that all of the kinks can be ironed out. Still, here are seven skills in particular that every university student should be developing. It can mean the difference between a successful experience and one that is rife with stress and struggle.

  1. Budgets Are Essential

There are some aspects of life in general that feel like they don’t come into play until after university is over. The fact of the matter, though, is that there are life skills that transcend school, adult life, or any other time in your life. Here is accounting homework help.

One of those skills is making a budget. While in school, most students are not making a whole lot of money. That means being able to properly budget out food, any necessary school supplies, or having to shell out for an online essay writing service at the last moment.

Whatever you need it for, having a budget can be a lifesaver. We all know the trope about the broke college student and that isn’t far from the truth. But the fact is that it does not have to be that way. A budget can give some clarity to what life is actually like for a university student.

  1. FOMO Is Your Enemy

Another one of the famous university tropes is the epic night out. Having those nights out is part of the university experience. You have them because those are the best stories post-graduation. That said, you can’t do that every single night.

Nights out can get out of hand pretty quickly. Doing them on a regular basis can be downright destructive. Before you know it, “a couple of drinks” turns into “what happened?”

Don’t be afraid to say no to a night out here and there. Not only will it help keep you from wondering what happened, it will allow you to keep the aforementioned budget in place. Have a night in once in a while.

  1. Meal Plans Are Key
 

Yet another trope of the university life is eating nothing but ramen noodles or some other inexpensive food that can be had at any moment. Make no mistake, those moments will come and that is okay. But it shouldn’t be the only food that is consumed.

University students who have a meal plan can budget better and actually experience real food instead of simply eating questionable “noodles.” The meals don’t have to be complicated – spaghetti is a staple here.

The key is to give yourself a real meal here and there. Being a university student does not have to equate to poverty, after all.

  1. More Effective Studying

We have all seen that one student who scribbles frantically in an attempt to get everything that the instructor is saying. It is a futile effort; no one can hope to get comprehensive notes down in real time and in a legible manner.

That is why recording lectures can be the key. You can focus on what is being said and then revisit the lecture later on to take more comprehensive notes. Use a highlighter to cover the important parts and you will see a substantial difference in the effectiveness of notes.

  1. It’s Okay to Ask for Help

This is a good life skill, not just one that applies to school. We are all human, we can handle only so much before we need a little help. It does not mean that we are weak or can’t do things on our own, it just means that the burden can only get so heavy before we need help.

Whether that is financial help from parents, studying help from a friend, or help planning a meal, there are a variety of ways to receive help. Don’t go it alone if you don’t have to; it can be awfully lonely that way.

  1. Learn to Do Laundry
 

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to live like a caveperson in college. Trash, food containers, laundry piled high; these are all the stereotypes that we see. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Start by learning how to do your wash. Even doing so once a week means that you can avoid those piles of laundry and keep yourself looking fresh and clean. Even if that is the only real victory in your life at the time, it is something that you can build off of. The small things matter much more than you realize.

  1. Student Discounts Are Your Friend

One of the great things about being a student is that you qualify for discounts just about anywhere. Whether that means less expensive tickets at the movies, discounts at restaurants, or any number of things depends.

But take advantage of that student discount. Have your student ID on you wherever you go and there’s a good chance that you can save a few bucks. It might not seem like a whole lot at the time, but a few bucks here and there can add up quickly over time. Even if it is $2 off at Subway, don’t look the gift horse in the mouth.