Ever since I started this series, I wanted to get into more of the lesser-known life hacks that I have learned over the last few years. A good life tip is simple, but effective. These seem simple, but work huge dividends if you take advantage of them. The following are some of my favorite college life hacks so far!
Tip 1: Take Advantage Of Your Gym.
Getting a proper amount of exercise is incredibly important for your health. This is especially important for college students during COVID, where we often find ourselves sitting in front of computers for a large majority of our day. (For more on this topic, read my article “Covid On The Campus” by clicking here.) While we can surely do a lot of exercises for free in the comfort of our homes, the equipment available at a fitness center is awesome to help us train and develop key muscle groups. Unfortunately, gyms are often expensive!
In case you didn’t know, GCSC has its own gym! The fitness center/weight room offers several different machines, free weights, ellipticals and treadmills, and even a CrossFit section. So whether you are a beginner looking to get fit or a veteran to the weights and looking for a convenient place to train after class, the GCSC training center has something for everyone. Oh, and if you checked out the gym during your orientation a few years back and haven’t seen it since, you should come back and check it out again. A major renovation a few years back completely transformed the gym, and it is much more impressive now.
Swing by the gym today!
The fitness center is free for students, just make sure to bring your student ID. The hours are :
Monday – Thursday, 6 AM – 6 PM
Friday: 9AM-2PM
Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED
Click here for more information and COVID guidelines specific to the use of the gym.
Tip 2: Don’t buy textbooks right away.
It is important to come prepared for the first day of class. This means becoming familiar with the course, reading the syllabus if possible, and reaching out to friends that may have already taken the course for advice. For most of us, purchasing the textbook weeks in advance seems like an obvious step. I would recommend that, unless you know for sure that you will need it, wait a week into the term to buy the book.
Depending on the class and the professor, the book may not be necessary or be used at all. Even if the book is listed on the syllabus, wait until the first week and ask the professor if the book is mandatory.
What if IT is required?
If it is, look online for a PDF. This is often a long shot, but some of these older books are available online for free.
If you have looked on the internet for a free version with no luck, I still wouldn’t recommend purchasing a new book. E-book rentals are usually the least expensive option, with used paperback rentals coming in a close second. Amazon rentals are a painless way to rent a book, with the return shipping covered on their end.
A final tip I will leave you with is this: purchase a used book locally. After the end of the semester, you may be able to sell the book for the same price you bought it for, making it effectively free for you. That said, a newer version may be required for the next semester. While the difference between versions may be negligible, you will have a hard time selling an “outdated” copy. For me, the convenience of an E-book makes it worth spending a little extra. Being able to search through the entire textbook for a keyword in just a few seconds makes studying much, much easier.
Tip 3: Always eat free food when there is an opportunity to.
This is my favorite tip without a doubt.
Keep in mind that your health is important, so don’t go overboard on all of those free cupcakes. That said, Gulf Coast often offers free food throughout the week, and usually offers snacks during their other events. If you think in terms of money you could be saving on the food you don’t have to buy yourself, it is a wise decision to take advantage of these events.
Be mindful of your health though! It could be tempting to fill up on junk food just because it is free. Don’t let free food tempt you to make unhealthy decisions. Also, be sure to thank those who offer this food to you! Especially if it is healthy. They will be more likely to continue doing so if they see that the students appreciate it.
Tip 4: Rice is cheaper than ramen.
On the topic of cheap foods, Ramen noodles a staple in the college diet. While it is not the healthiest option, is definitely a satisfying choice. Ramen is cheap, tastes great, and is easy to make.
That said, rice is even cheaper, healthier, and just as easy to prepare. The process of cooking rice gets easier with experience and is a breeze with a rice cooker. If you invest in the rice cooker, you will are on your way to cooking a large variety of healthy meals for a great price.
If you are considering starting to meal prep, or just want to save money on food, learning to make rice is the way to go!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Christodoulou
Student Author - Spring 2021
