We all know the line and have probably uttered it either as an excuse or for sympathy on multiple occasions: “I’m a broke college student.”
Whether you have used it as an excuse to get out of plans, or to coerce your friends into paying for dinner, there are steps to becoming a poor college student, and a cycle that gives it life.
1. Study Abroad: You become broke. Enough said.
2. You get an on-campus job, and that first payday has got you feeling like...
You promise yourself you’ll put it all into your bank account, but we all know how that goes. And then, your funds appear to be dwindling, so you pick up any and all shifts available, basically live at work and forget what the outside world looks like.
3. You “save” all semester for that amazing spring break trip.
This means that the week before break, you cook whatever is in your fridge instead of going to The Root for dinner. After spring break, the cycle starts over. You are broke once again, preying on people with All-Access meal plans for lunch and resort to working 24/7.
4. Whenever your parents, friends, family or anyone comes to visit you, you casually mention how you should grab dinner at this really delicious place in town.
When the bill comes, you politely reach for your wallet, but they always, without fail, insist it’s their treat. They know. They were in college once.
5. You jump at the opportunity for free anything.
Whether it’s mooching meal swipes off of freshmen, or doing multiple loops around the fairs and expos that come to campus to grab more free stuff, seeing a “free” sign makes your heart grow bigger than the Grinch’s did on Christmas. Free food is the best kind of free stuff out there. Even if you’re full or don’t like the food offered, you feel like you have an obligation to take it because it’s free. You don’t know when this opportunity may present itself again
If you’re feeling guilty right about now about that selfie-stick you just bought with your last paycheck instead of putting that money into your bank account, don’t be. Sure, you should budget your money and throw some into your savings for down the road, but that doesn’t mean you can’t splurge and treat yourself every once in a while. In the same mindset, let’s not get too carried away and spend every last dime on pointless stuff.
If you’re feeling guilty about how may bags you filled up at the last health and wellness expo, then we may have a problem. Know that college is not only the land of opportunity, it is also the land of free stuff. Professors and administrators provide free stuff because they want to help us. Think about it: At almost any meeting they want us to go to, free food is advertised. So, if you are lucky enough to ride on this economic rollercoaster, please remember just one thing: The real world doesn’t have as much free stuff as college. Spend wisely, my friends.
