August/September 2008

Bimonthly newsletter of College Assistance Plus

How to Live With Your Roommate

Roommates

If you're heading off to college thinking that your roommate will be your new best friend, think again! It does happen, of course, but relationships always take work. Here are a few suggestions that will help you transition into living with someone else.

Get in touch before school starts. Your college should notify you of your new roommate and give you some general information on him or her, so make a phone call or send an email to say hello. You can also find them on Facebook and get an idea of who they are, what they like to do, and more. If you start connecting now, it will help you get to know each other before you move in.

Talk it out. If issues arise or you are feeling frustrated with your roommate, try to bring it up in a non-defensive way. Don't assume that he or she can read your mind. It's always better to talk to your roommate than to talk about your roommate. (You wouldn't appreciate it if the tables were turned and your roommate was telling your secrets to everyone else!) What happens in the room should stay in the room.

Set some ground rules. Before the school year starts, go over some important issues together. Talk about when boyfriends/girlfriends can be in the room, how you'd like the room arranged, whether you like to be up late. If you discover any discrepancies (for example, if your roommate likes to keep a clean room and you prefer to throw your clothes on your desk), get them out in the open and try to reach a compromise. Starting off on the same page will help you avoid difficult situations later on.

Try to be patient. Remember that your roommate is a person, too. He or she is used to living a certain way, just as you are. Try to give him the benefit of the doubt if possible, and be patient with his flaws. If you are brave, ask him periodically if there's anything you can do to make living with YOU easier. Chances are, he's having to learn to deal with your annoying habits, too.

Be thoughtful. Doing little things for each other will help maintain a healthy relationship. If you know your roommate has a big test to study for, keep your music down that evening or go out with some friends. If she isn't feeling well, bring some chicken soup back from the dining hall. If you sense that she's feeling lonely and missing home, spend some extra time together doing something fun.

Don't use their things without permission. Make a rule with your roommate that you won't use each other's things without asking first. You might hear horror stories of roommates eating people's food, stealing car keys and driving all over town, and "borrowing" cell phones to make lengthy calls home. If this happens, don't be afraid to stand up to your roommate and tell them that it can't happen again.

If all else fails, go to your RA. Your RA is there to help you. If you have problems with your roommate that you can't work out on your own, approach your RA for help. Don't put your roommate down when you talk to your RA, but explain the situation tactfully. It might be wise to tell your roommate that you are going to talk to your RA so she doesn't feel as if you are ganging up on her. If your RA can't help you, it might be time to request a new roommate.

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Check out our blog!

The founder of CAPlus, Paul Celuch, has recently started writing his own blog. He updates at least once a week and discusses topics such as college loans, staggering statistics, how to avoid debt, some of the mistakes parents make, and how to make good choices. Visit his blog at http://forgiveusourstudentdebts.blogspot.com.

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Interview with a Graduate - Sam Russell

Sam Russell
Editor's Note: Sam Russell has a degree in business from Rochester Institute of Technology; he now works as a Government Programs Manager at UTC.

CAPlus: Where did you go to college?

SR: I went to a community college for the first two years and then to RIT for the last two years.

CAPlus: Why did you decide to go to a community college?

SR: I started there to save money. I figured, liberal arts classes are liberal arts classes. Why pay more for basic economics and math courses?

CAPlus: Was it a good experience?

SR: I wouldn't say that a commuter school gave me the same 'college experience,' but it served its purpose. I attended some RIT events, knowing that I would be going there eventually. I did hang out with people at the community college, but I wasn't as close with them as some of my other friends.

CAPlus: Did all of your credits transfer to RIT?

SR: All my credits transferred with the exception of one math course, I think. I took that course by choice to prepare myself for later classes. All courses transferred as a result of following a 2+2 business program with RIT.

CAPlus: Do you have any college loans?

SR: I didn't graduate with any loans. My wife does have some, so her loans are mine now.

CAPlus: From a financial perspective, did it help to go to a community college before RIT?

SR: Definitely. I had an average GPA in high school. I worked hard in community college and graduated with a 3.8 GPA or something like that. When I went to RIT, they gave me a couple of good scholarships just because my GPA at community college was so good. I definitely got more money from RIT than I would have if I had gone directly there.

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High school freshmen & sophomores

• Students should get involved in extracurricular activities at school. Be an active participant, not just a member! You will then get the opportunity to be active in leadership in the future, which will give you more leverage when discussing financial aid with a college admissions office.

Start studying for the SAT and ACT.

• Get involved in community service projects! This can help you get recommendations from adults, and it will give you more life experience that will help with college application essays. It will also complement other achievements and make you more eligible for scholarships and other financial aid.

• Spend some time preparing for the PSAT and SAT exams. Good SAT/ACT scores usually mean better financial aid packages, so you need to spend an hour a week studying.

• Parents should make a budget to figure out how much you can afford to spend for college. Remember that you have to factor in tuition, room and board, and other fees. Don't let your student waste time considering schools that you can't afford!

• If you have money in mutual funds, bonds, stocks, and educational IRAs, you should consider talking to a financial planner about moving those assets into accounts that are not exposed to the FAFSA's formula.

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High school juniors

• If you were involved in clubs and organizations at school, try to get into leadership roles this year. College admissions officers love student leaders!

Participate in clubs at school!

• Make and refine lists of potential colleges or careers/majors that you might be interested in. Talk to your parents or CAPlus representative to help you narrow down the list.

• Begin preparing for the ACT and SAT exams. The next ACT test date is September 13; registration is due by August 12th. The next SAT test date is October 14; registration is due by September 9th. Visit www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com to find testing sites nearby and for test preparation. Better scores can mean better financial aid!

• When school starts, meet with your guidance counselor. Talk about thoughts you have on career plans and college majors. Also, find out when the PSAT will be. If you do well on the PSAT, you could be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation scholarship program.

• If you have money in mutual funds, bonds, stocks, and educational IRAs, you should consider talking to a financial planner about moving those assets into accounts that are not exposed to the FAFSA's formula.

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High school seniors

• Begin preparing for the college application process by collecting writing samples and assembling portfolios or audition tapes. Athletes who play fall/winter sports should college video and newspaper clips to send to college coaches.

Make tapes of your games!

• Athletes who plan on playing in college should contact coaches at colleges you are interested in. Ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships. If you hope to play Division I or II sports, you need to fill out the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse form. (This form can't be mailed until you finish your sixth semester of high school.)

• Consider re-taking the ACT or SAT. Your highest combination of scores is used, so taking the tests again can't hurt you. The next ACT test date is September 13; registration is due by August 12th. The next SAT test date is October 14; registration is due by September 9th. Visit www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com to find testing sites nearby and for test preparation.

• Check on application and financial aid deadlines for any colleges you know you are interested in. Write the deadlines on your calendar so you don't miss your chance to apply!

• Plan visits and interviews at colleges if you didn't go during the summer. Check with your CAPlus representative before you go and pick up a copy of our College Visit Guide.

• Take Advanced Placement (AP) classes if your high school offers them. This will show a college that you are willing to put extra effort into your academics, and they might reward your effort with more money.

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College freshmen

• Be aware of how much money you're spending while doing your back-to-school shopping! Make yourself a budget and stick to it. If you don't, you'll end up spending a lot more than you realize.

Don't sign up for credit cards.

• Parents should set expectations for the student's first year. Set them high! Good grades mean higher incentive for the college to give scholarships for the following year. Don't make the mistake of sending your student to college saying, "Just do your best!" The student needs to know what is expect of him and why.

• When you get to school, open a bank account on or near campus.

• Beware of credit card companies! You'll receive dozens of credit card offers in your college mailbox, some of which will offer you free t-shirts, iPods, and other gadgets. Don't sign up for a card unless you are going to pay it off each month. Credit cards do not give you "free money" that you can spend whenever you want.

• Consider having a job on or near campus. Students who work or are involved in activities are pushed to prioritize their time and often get better grades than students who are not involved in anything.

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College sophomores and juniors

• Analyze your use of the college's meal plan. If you didn't use all of your meals last year, switch to a plan with fewer meals and a lower price tag. It is almost always cheaper to buy food and make your meals yourself.

Make your own meals.

• Don't buy new books from your campus bookstore before school starts! You can buy new or used books online or from other students at a fraction of the cost. We recommend several sites on our website.

• If you had a work-study job last year, call your boss and make sure that you still have the job during the coming year. If you did not have a job but would like one, start making phone calls or emails to potential employers. Having a job or other activities will help you learn to prioritize and balance your time.

• If you aren't happy with your current financial aid package, there are things you can do! Talk to your CAPlus representative about how to get more financial aid for this year.

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College seniors

• Don't buy new books from your campus bookstore before school starts! You can buy new or used books online or from other students for a fraction of the cost. We recommend several sites on our website.

Buy used books!

• If you aren't happy with your current financial aid package, there are things you can do! Talk to your CAPlus representative about how to get more financial aid for this year.

• If you have any special family circumstances, such as the recent discover of an immediate family member with a serious illness or a sudden death in the family, write a letter to the college asking for a one-time gift in some form. Colleges will often honor these kinds of requests if they have the funds to do so.

• Start thinking now about what you will do when you graduate. Finding a job by graduation depends on strategizing and marketing yourself well. Begin talking to friends and family before you leave for school; networking is the best way to land your first job!

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