6 Things I Should Have Known Before College | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

6 Things I Should Have Known Before College

6 things high school didn't teach me that I wish I had known before going to college.

78
6 Things I Should Have Known Before College
tumblr.com

Here it is, another list of things you should have learned in high school, but didn't. I mean, we wouldn't have to write these articles if schools would simply take notice and start teaching us what we really need to know, so we can properly "adult" when we're released upon the world. Anyway let's get going shall we?

1. How Loans Work

HELLO! THIS SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITY! Many kids have to take out loans to be able to pay for their tuition, me included, and before I did, I never knew what the difference was between an unsubsidized loan and a subsidized loan. Nor did I know what interest rate was reasonable or what interest rate will leave me paying off my loans until I'm 80.

2. How to Balance a Checkbook

We learn all about complicated mathematical formulas that we will never use outside of the classroom, but what about knowing a pretty basic need? Now, my school did offer a class that went over how one would balance a checkbook, but many students don't have that offered to them. But hey, we know how to use imaginary numbers.

3. How to Build my Credit

If I didn't have to take Introduction to Business for a General Ed, I wouldn't have. I can say I am happy that I did, because through the class, I learned exactly what credit is and how easily it can be effected and fluctuate up and down. I also learned all those catchy commercials for checking your credit whenever you want are actually going to hurt your credit.

4. HOW TO FILE DIDDLY-DANG TAXES!

I cannot emphasize this point enough. I had no clue and almost didn't even file them this last tax season. Thank all things good that my mom remembered and told me how. Then, just to make sure I really knew what I was doing and not simply saying yes to make her be quiet, she took me to where she does her taxes. She had an expert tell me the ins and outs of filing taxes, how you can calculate how much you'll get back or perhaps owe and what parts to fill out and what parts to leave empty.

5. What to Expect in an Interview

This one really strikes a chord with me, because I had no idea what to expect going into my first interview. What questions can I expect? Should I bring a resume or no? What do I do with my hands? And number one: WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? What the heck is meant by "business casual"? Does business casual differ depending on where you're trying to get hired at? How dressy is "too dressy?" How casual is "too casual?" ACK!

6. Basic Money Management Skills

How am I expected to be able to figure out how much of my paycheck will need to be saved for bills or if I can splurge on myself a little bit and still have some cushion? What amount of my paycheck should I put into Savings? Should I put any in Savings? In what situations is it better to use cash? To use card? Why does money have to be so complicated?

Will someone please teach me these things instead of concepts and formulas that I'll never use again? Will I ever know how to properly "adult?"

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

569846
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

457111
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments