Renting off-campus can be expensive.  That why I stress that you save every bit of money that you can.your first two years, while living in the dorms.  Choose your living space carefully.  If you do, your first experience of off-campus living can be very rewarding.  Watch out for Landlord though they are only there, to make a buck, with as little reinvestment as possible.  In Lincoln, avoid any apartment owned by Dwayne Hartman Investments, because unless you are young female or Disabled you will never get a fair shake.  They will try to cancel your lease if you are late with your rent.  I live on $400.00 a month, and barely survive.  The Landlord was warned that this is all of the Income that I have, at the time. Well July 20th I paid my rent, and July 21 the Manager, Matthew Hartman sent me a letter refusing my payment, and is trying to get another $415.50 out of me.  ANd he filed a court petition to evict me.  I think he is trying to pull a fast one..

Hi, I am Frank Urban, and I have started this blog for the sole purpose of surviving through college, and helping others also survive through college.

I go to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. My majors are Computer Science and Management of Information Systems. I have been going to UNL for three years, and hope to graduate within the next two. This is my first blog, and I hope to give advice to others in their budgeting for UNL and studying at a university in general.

I used to be in the Marine Corps, and was a Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran. After I left military service, I started college at Casper College, and I failed horribly. Over the next 15 years I wandered about aimlessly, not knowing what to do. I ended up being a carpenter and a concrete finisher. I was never satisfied. Finally I decided to return to college.

I started at Central Community College - Columbus in Columbus, Nebraska in 2004 and graduated in May 2006 with an Associate's Degree of Applied Science in Information Technology - Computer Programming. I then transferred to UNL to pursue initially my Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. This past year I changed my major to Business and decided this summer to pursue dual degrees in Computer Science and Management of Information Systems. My goal is to program games and handy little utilitiy programs to make the general populace's lives easier and more entertained.

My advice to the various generations that have decided to go to college is the main purpose of this blog. It is intended to help you budget for college before, during and after college.

My main advice before starting college this fall is to work your behind off. Save every dime that you can, because you will need it. It will be easier for you to pay for books, and uncalculated costs like food, extra items, software, and supplies.

Next, I would suggest that the first two years, at the University of Nebraska, or any university for that matter, to stay in the dormitories. Especially if you are single. It is cost effective, and your meals are included in the plan. There is a deposit of $400.00 to hold your room. The nice thing is that if you are an older student you have the option of having a single room. Take it it is well worth the extra thousand dollars. Three additional perks is that you have cable, a refridgerator, and internet for free. They used to have telephone service included, but since most students have cell phones, this service was discontinued. Another downer is that UNL is a dry campus, in other words it is illegal to have alcohol in the dorms and fraternities on campus.

At the University of Nebraska you have a choice of two food plans a seven day and a five day. Choose the seven day meal plan, so that you do not have to go hungry every weekend. Again this will save you money in the long run, as you do not have to go out and eat on the weekends, or worry about cooking.

Then fill out your FAFSA online, the new site allows you to fill out and electronically sign your application. There are instructions at the Department of Education here.

www.fafsa.ed.gov

This will also show you how to set up a PIN so that you can sign your FAFSA electronically.

After filling out and signing, you will get a Student Ais Report(SAR). It its online, you will get a pdf, print this out and save for your records. This report will also be sent automatically to your university of choice.

After doing this, the university should receive your SAR from one to two weeks, they will determine what financial aid you will receive. Warning: Students that come to the University of Nebraska, that are not Nebraska residents pay about $13,000.00 more than residents. I am not trying to discourage you, just waning you. Luckily for me, I am a Nebraska Resident.

Anywhere from one to four weeks after UNL receives your SAR, they will notify you of what financial aid you will receive. Trust me, will be enough to just cover your costs.

Next as a new student at UNL you will have to come to a New Student Enrollment. This is essentially a tour of the campus, and will help you enroll for your first term of classes, and how you access WAM for the University of Nebraska, you will have to remember how to do this. YOu will also get your N-Card, which is your Student ID at UNL. THis you will have to keep with you at all times, it allows you to access on campus services, like your dorms and dining halls. After this, go online and reserve your textbooks, this will help you in the end, as you will have your books ready and reserved for you, and you will have them before the first day of classes. Also, get your parking permit, On-Campus Residents get a blue parking permit for 370 dollars.

Now if you followed my first piece of advice you will have the money that you saved during the summer. Use this money to buy your books, school supplies, and other items that you will need. Do NOT charge stuff to your N-Card, this will definitely sneak up and bite you in the butt. Every once in a while, sure indulge yourself at the on-campus coffee shops, or the various restaurants in the union, but never go over 20 or 50 dollars in any given month. Buy your schools supplies at Walmart or such before you come to campus. I would also suggest that when you get your School supplies, also but extra-long twin sheet sets, towels, and minor furniture. If you are still living with your parents, see if they have an extra TV that you can take with you. If not, wait until you receive your refund, or after you pick up your books, to go to the thrift store, to pick up a cheap color TV.

You will be notified when you can move into the dorms, it is usually the weekend before classes start, usually on the Thursday before. During the day on Thursday it is odd floors, and on Friday it is even floors. At night, anyone who is registered to live in the dorms, is allowed into the dorms starting Thursday night. I would suggest moving in then, as you will be moved in before a lot of people, and you can setup your room before Friday morning.

On Friday morning before classes is when you want to pick up your books, and really check out the city campus union. There are several restaurants in the union that are decent to get some thing to eat. Make sure that you have extra money for this, as meals won't be served in the dining halls until Monday morning. After picking up your books, and setting up your room. I suggest checking out Lincoln. There is also the Big Red Welcome, which is done every year, go to it, you will find information on the various clubs and Fraternities/Sororities that are on campus, as well as local businesses. I am sure they have similar things at other universities.

Now after you get to the campus, look for a part time job, unless you have work-study. Why work a part-time job? It will help cove unforeseen expenses (like extra Printer ink), as well as allow you to have entertainment during the school year. Also a lot of businesses near campus cater to university students, and will schedule work around your classes.

I how this helps you a little on starting your college career at UNL.

I often find that summers are hard, without the friends I have made at the University.  I am not busy enough, writing this blog helps though.  You as college students, will make lifelong friends.  Cherish those relationships, as they help you survive through college.  A good friend can also be a roommate, and outside the dormitory, a good roommate will help you cut living costs.  Most of my friends have moved into apartments, as have I.  Now I survive, in a dinky three room efficiency, because I know that I am not a good roommate.  In order to survive college, most students, either live in the dorms, or live with people they don't actually like.  My suggestion, is deal with dorms the first two years, and then while you save money that whole time, it will help you in the long run.  I actually love the campus, but I also love to drink beer, and rather than go to a bar, I would like to drink a beer in my living room.  The UNL campus is a dry campus.  I know, there is still alcohol in the dorms, and the fraternities, and most people do not get caught.  Yet, I could never bring myself to break that rule.  I am sure the dorms and frats would be different if UNL was not a dry campus.  Then again it might not be.  Besides, I think Fraternities are overrated anyways.

So what is my advice?  Save all of your money that you can the first two years of college, and make good friends.  With those good friends and saved money, rent a big house and share the bills, trust me it will cut costs in the long run, and It could be not necessarily be cheaper than the dorms, but you will have a little more freedom than one campus.

I am continuing my series upon preparing for college, as I am doing it myself.  Another Fall semester is coming up at UNL.  I am getting there slowly but surely.  but it seems that every job I apply for as an IT specialist, has a high experience qualification.  That is why I blog, I make some money from this writing through Google Adwords,  It is a good program, and I will see how far it goes.  I will write on my beliefs, my hobbies, my exploits, and my triumphs.

Programming for me is not that difficult if I have a good reference manual, and a good development environment.  I am using jGrasp for Java, and Visual Studio 2008 for C++ and C#.  OH NO, not that dragon you say, but Microsoft actually makes it easy for a student to get new development software for students.  Google Dreamspark, and you will find it.  There you can download Visual Studio 2008 and 2005.  You can also download other programs.  What's the catch, you might ask?  You just have to verify that you are a student, or a professor.  Its that easy.

I just have to watch out for the large classroom environments, that is what gets me, as well as most transfer students.  It seems I take three steps forward and thrown two steps back.   I guess I have determination, when it comes to my education,  I cannot help but feel helpless in this headless monster that is the university.

I just have to get into a good study habit.  That is what makes or breaks a college student, it really does.  I always have distractions, the TV, my MP3 Player, the Internet.  And I am a procrastinator, I always wait to the last minute.  What does this have to do with you?  WellI will give some advice, get your homework done as soon as possible, so that if you have to revise it, you have time.  That's what I plan on doing this semester, as I need to get really good grades, otherwise, it is all for naught.

I found that I actually cannot study if its quiet, I need background noise.  Others might need an actual quiet place.  If you think that you will not have time to study in depth, well I do suggest that you make time.

You also will not get much sleep, as that is normal for college students, but do try to get at least 4 - 6 hours of rest every night.  As the semester gets closer and closer to its end, you will seem to get less and less sleep.  Most professors wait for the big semester projects to be assigned at midterm, which gives you seven weeks to get them done.  Uh oh no sleep for those who take a lot of classes.

Well enough of my ramblings for tonight.

I was recently looking at the Housing FAQ of the UNL Website http://housing.unl.edu/contracts/faq.shtml

I suggest that you get a loft bed, which will give you more space in your room. Also suggest this to your roommate as well. They can be requested with your housing application/contract. As your room often includes a mini-fridge and a microwave.

Suggested list to bring with you to the Dorm and My Comments

• Alarm Clock

This is a definite must, this allows you to get up on time, to eat breakfast, shower, shave( unless you are like me who needs to only shave once a week, at most twice a week)

Backpack

Buy this at Wal-mart, Target, or any mass discount department store. Make sure its big enough to hold all of the books that you need for each particular day, and that it is heavy enough to take abuse.

• Bedspread or Comforter

A definite must, as the halls do get cold. I also suggest some light blankets.

• Coffee Mug

Only good if you also have a coffee maker also. I also suggest a bowl or two, and a plae or two, a knife, a fork, and two spoons. Why? You just might get hungry during late night studying, and nothing is better than a bowl of cereal at midnight to give you an extra boost.

• Computer

How else are you going to do your homework?

I suggest a laptop, as it does not take up space, and you can put it away when you are not using it, and you can take it with you to class. I constantly used mine, but not necessarily for homework. I also suggest the following for the laptop:

1. · An external hard drive, 320 GB minimum

2. · A 4 or 7 port USB 2.0 Hub

3. · A dock, or USB dock

4. · An extended three hour battery

5. · A USB optical mouse

6. · A Printer – Suggestion: a multifunction Copier/Printer/Scanner

7. · An Ethernet cord, 6 to 10 feet.

Ethernet cords are no longer issued by UNL Housing, and even if you have wireless, I suggest the Ethernet cord, as it is generally faster and easier to implement than wireless. You will still have to register your wireless connection, but it will be easier with the Ethernet cord in your room. It is also suggested that if you have an Ethernet cord for each game console you have too, along with a USB/ ethernet router, hooked into your computer(the USB cord plugs into your computer). This will allow you to access the internet without too much trouble.

• Circuit-Protected Multi-Plug for Computer

I would suggest two, one for your computer, and one for your electronics(TV, mp3 player Docking Station/Stereo, DVD, VCR), one for the electronics should have a surge protector for cable. Yes, you can get surges through your cable, as it can occur in thunderstorms.

I also suggest you get one or two six plug expansions that plug in to your standard electrical plugs.

• Extension Cord

This is handy if you do not have electrical plug nearby. It really sucks that you have a great stereo, but no plug-ins nearby.

• Extra Pillows/Bean Bag Chair

Extra Pillows I can see, but a bean bag chair? No, at most buy one of them floor rocker chairs, you know the Video rocker chairs, that sits low to the ground. Remember you will have limited space. I also suggest one or two Body Pillows, which you can lay next to the wall on your bed to make it into a day bed. The Dorms do provide a pillow, but it is not very comfortable, s0 go ahead and bring your favorite pillow

• First Aid Kit

Yes, you can buy a basic kit for 10 to 20 dollars

• Flashlight

A mini flashlight is handy in case the lights go out in the Dorms, yes it happens, buy one with a keyring so that you can keep your dorm key with you.

• Hangers

Buy at least 20 or 30, at least one hanger for every suit, dress, pants, shirt, jeans, or even long shorts. So if you have a lot of clothes, you will need a lot of hangers.

• Laundry Basket/Soap

This is good, but I also suggest that you also have a hamper, especially if you have a neat freak for a roomie. Remember, if you have a roommate, be courteous, as I am sure they don’t want to see your dirty underwear on the floor.

• Photos of Family, Pets & Friends

Pictures of Family, pets, and friends are good as they are your off-campus support.

• Pictures/Posters

UNL encourages diversity, but pornographic pictures are strongly discouraged.

• School Supplies

I suggest one notebook or composition book for each class you take. The number of pages depends on the number of credit hours in the class.

Regular Classes and general supplies

• · One to three credit hours, I suggest a 70 to 100 page composition book.
• · And a loose leaf binder. (this you will need for any class that has a class packet, like German.
• · 4 to six hours I suggest a three subject composition book.
• · Labs require special hardbound Lab Books, which you can only buy at the Bookstore. It kinda sucks that you have to spend 8 to 15 dollars for this special book.
• · Pens
• · Mechanical Pencils –these will save money in the long run, as you will only buy the leads, and erasers. Make sure that they are of good quality, as they will take a beating
• · A graphing calculator, I suggest a TI-84 silver edition, they cost around 150 dollars, but they are advanced and allow you to succeed in Calculus( which by the way is required for most Majors at UNL). You can have higher numbered models, but some are not allowed on tests, and that is a bummer if you have the fancy TI99, as it will actually derive and integrate equations for you. Save your money for the TI-99, and buy it for more advanced classes.
• · Loose leaf paper – professors are always giving surprise quizzes or asking for instant papers, better safe than sorry.
• · One portfolio Folder with clips for each class that you have.
• · Scissors
• · Stapler and Staples
• · Ink for your printer, at least one or two of each of the following

• o Black
• o Color

• · Inkjet paper two 500 sheet reams· Ruler· Three hole punch

Art Supplies

Artists and those with art classes, you will spend a great deal of money on your drawing, painting, ceramic and/or sculpting supplies. If I were you save up your money, and look for clearance sales at art stores, and craft or hobby stores. When Dick Blick’s went out of business in the Nebraska Bookstore, I spent 200 dollars and got approximately $1500 worth of supplies.

·

• a cheap see through or translucent toolbox, a 20 inch long one costs around 5-7 dollars new. This will allow you to actually transport all of your supplies.·

• A brass padlock, to lock your supply box. This keeps honest thieves honest. Remember really desperate artist can be dishonest like “borrow” a tube of paint, brush or knife that they need for a certain project and forget to bring it back.·

• Pencils, drawing- you can usually get a cheap set that includes a pencil sharpener, pencils, and several erasers·

• Brushes – make sure you have the appropriate brushes for each medium. Watercolor brushes for watercolors, acrylic for acrylics, and oil for oils. The package will tell you which medium that the specific brush is designed for. Again, at first, buy Cheap ones and then buy the more expensive ones. More expensive brushes last longer, and need to be taken care of..·

• Paint Knife – Remember Bob Ross? Yes he is famous in his Joy of Painting series for using his paint knife in landscapes.· Palette knives, actually buy the plastic ones, they are cheaper, and if they get buggered up, disposable and easily replace. ·

• Palette – Don’t buy those expensive 20 to 80 dollar palettes at your local art store.

Do this instead, go to your local thrift or dollar store, buy a 9 inch by 12 inch Picture frame with a glass.

Take the glasse and the back out of the frame, and use clear packaging tape, or colorful ducktape, and tape around edges of the glass and the backing,

NOTE: Add white paper if needed in between the glass and the backing.

And you have an inexpensive palette that is easily cleaned and good for oils and acrylics.

Water colors I doe suggest the seven or 12 bin mini palette.·

• Hairspray – yes I said hairspray- This is a good fixative for drawings and charcoal, and at dollar stores it costs a dollar, saving you anywhere from 4 to 9 dollars, depending on where you get it.·

• Paints – I suggest getting them at Wal-Mart as you can get a good basic set for 15 to 20 dollars for each set. If you can afford it get two sets of each(trust me you will need it) I also suggest that you get an extra tube or two of titanium white and onyx black. They should be available in a larger tube. Acrylics it is called lamp black I think. Trust me, you will need them.·

• Canvases- I would buy the cheap ones at Wal-Mart at first, and as you get better, THEN go to the local art store for the more expensive canvases. I would also suggest that you go on Amazon.com, and ebay to find cheap, but good quality canvases.·

• Canvas Paper- this is paper that is textured like canvas, and is good for practice, charcoal and general painting, you can pick up a pad of 10 sheets for around 13 bucks. If you use charcoals, don’t forget the fixative (the hairspray)·

• Drawing pads – Go to Wal-Mart, remember the Idea is to cut costs, most professors scoff at buy art supplies at Wal-Mart, but where else can you get a decent sketch pad for 5 to 8 dollars. The pads there are actually of good quality.·

• Sketch book – this is actually a hardbound book for drawing. Sketch pads are good in the beginning, but I would suggest as you get better, then buy the more expensive hardbound books.·

• Erasers – If you buy a drawing set, an eraser or two is often included, but you should buy a kneaded rubber eraser two just in case.·

• Portfolio- this is actually a large briefcase that holds your drawings and or your paintings and keeps them semi-safe from harm.·

• A Hardboard – this is a 24 by 24 inch board with two clips and a really big rubber band. This is good for drawing and painting both. These actually cost around 10 dollars at the bookstore, and are a good sturdy investment.·

• Easel – you can pick up a cheap wooden fold up one for 10 dollars or so at Wally World.

• Sewing Kit

Yes, you ever know when you might lose a button.

• Shower Tote & Flip Flops

An absolute must, to prevent getting athlete’s foot

I also suggest a bathrobe,

• Sheets/Blankets (extra long twin)

I suggest at least two sets of your favorite color

• Stereo/CD's

I would suggest instead an mp3 player, and a dock, as most college students nowadays have an mp3 player. I also suggest that you have CD’s so that the RIAA can’t sue you for downloading illegal music. Current laws allow you to make backup copies of your CD’s onto your harddrive. As long as you have the CD’s, you can load the music onto your mp3 player.

• TV/VCR/DVD

If you do not have a TV and neither does your roommate, then I suggest that you go to a pawn shop or thrift store, you can pick up a TV rather cheap. Here in Lincoln, I suggest that you go to the FamilyThriftCenter on 18^th and O Street, where the are usually 20 to 40 dollars. Do this only after you receive your refund and pay the bill that you owe at UNL.

If you followed my suggestion, and worked your butt off all summer, then you will have the extra money for this.

The DVD player and or VCR: I suggest that you buy this new, at Best Buy.

• Throw Rugs or Carpet

A 5’ by 8’ rug should suffice against the cold floors of the dorms

• Toiletries

Duh, unless you actually want to be dirty, and smelly

I suggest that you buy one bottle of body wash and one bottle of shampoo for every month in the semester, or four bottles of each per semester. If you go to the dollar store, you can pick these up for $1 a bottle. If you are a guy with short hair, you can get away with just the Body wash, but add an extra bottle, as you will be using more body wash, to wash your hair, or cut the shampoo by half.

There is plenty of storage space, in the closet of the dorm for the extra stuff.

• Towels & Washcloths

I suggest three towels, and three washcloths, so that you have one in the laundry, you still have a clean towel.

• Umbrella

Additional Suggestions:

• Food

• Sugar

• Pop, Juice, or Gatorade
• Snacks
• Cereal
• Milk

• Hot Pockets( or Totino’s Pouches, which are cheaper by the way)
• Popcorn

• Floor Lamp- Use an LED light bulb as it is brighter and does not use as much electricity as fluorescents.

• A Three to seven drawer plastic StorageCenter on wheels

• Your favorite books- 5 to twenty of your favorite books.

  A game console if you have one and games.
  Cleaning supplies – this includes trash bags, cleaners, a carpet Flick and Febreeze. Even though there are trash bags and cleaning supplies available on every floor. Febreeze can spruce up even the smelliest room in seconds.
  A bike

Rules for roommates

1. Respect your roommate – You have to live with them after all. You have to sign a roommate contract after moving in with your floor resident assistant or RA. If you have problems with your roommate, first talk the roommate. If that doesn’t work, THEN go to your RA. If he or she cannot help you resolve it, or in rare cases won’t help you, talk to your RD. If it is something like your roomie using your stuff without permission, or making a lot of noise while you are studying, this is how you resolve it. If the problem cannot be resolved by the RA or the RD, then The RD can move you to a different room.
2. Share in cleaning your room.
3. Get to know them.
4. If you get in late, and your roommate is asleep, please do not disturb them, because turnabout is fair play.

Rules to live by in the Dorms

1. Keep vigilant, and an ever watchful eye, Look out for suspicious people on your floor. If you are not sure, knock on your RA’s door and ask him or her. If the person does not live on the floor, and is not a guest the RA is to report him or her and escort him or her out of the building.
2. Look out for your neighbors.
3. LOCK your door, and keep your NU or student ID and room key with you at ALL TIMES. Locked doors prevent thefts.
   
4. Keep your room clean.  Do this once aweek.
5. If you lose your keys or ID, there is a charge for replacement. At UNL, It is $30.00 to replace the locks, and $20.00 to replace your ID.
6. At UNL, the Dorms are locked 24/7, no exceptions. So keep your NU id on you at all times. Your ID will give you access to the dorms
   
7. If you live there.If see someone hanging around outside, and they look suspicious, actually talk to them, as they just might live in the dorms or are guests of someone. If they don’t belong there and are up to no good, then they will usually just walk away, and usually very quickly.
   
8. Do not ignore alarms, as they are for your safety. UNL Dorms will tell you what type of alarm it is, and specific instructions that you must follow.
9. Avoid excessive downloading, as it gives the RIAA the right to take a look at your files, and if you have illegal pirated copyrighted files like music, movies, or software, you can be fined heavily as in $3000 dollars and even jail time per file.
10. Respect your neighbors, keep your music, or television low, so that it does not disturb them.
11. GET INVOLVED with your local resident’s association or government, it looks good on a resume, and if you can make the halls better for your fellow residents, you get respect.
12. Do not be afraid to tell your neighbors to quiet down, but ask them. If they refuse, then talk to your RA.
13. Laundry can be done at the dorms. At UNL, this is done with a loaded Laundry Card, much like a prepaid debit card. You load it at machines that are located at various dorms, usually at or by the Front Desks. If you lose your laundry card, it will cost you $2.00.
14. Do not charge bottles of pop or candy from vending machines to your student account. At UNL, they made it convenient to use your NU id at vending machines, in the lobby which charges your student account. NU allows $20 PER DAY to be charged via vending machine and lounges/coffee shops. This will come and bite you in the butt, trust me I KNOW. I am so addicted to cappuccinos it is ridiculous. Stick to the “if you do not have cash, you don’t need it” rule.
15. Usually the Two weeks before the end of the semester, which is the week before finals, and Finals week, there are 24 hour quiet hours. This allows your fellow students and yourself to study in blessed peace.
16. Make time for yourself that does not involve class. If you have a favorite primetime TV Show, take the time to watch it. Remember if you take that one or two hour break from studying, it will help you keep from being stressed.
17. Smoking anything is not permitted in UNL Dorms. Smoking sections are usually outside. Make sure that it is tobacco that you are smoking, otherwise you will be busted.
18. Do NOT USE DRUGS, for they dull the mind and poison the body. Besides if you are caught, you can be expelled from the Dorms, but mostly you will be fined.
19. Never drink on a weeknight, save it for a Friday or Saturday. You can sleep the days after in order to recuperate. On UNL Campus, alcohol is not allowed in Dorms, Fraternities, Sororities, or even Memorial Stadium. If you are caught with alcohol on the UNL Campus or in the Dorms, you will be fined. Repeated offenses can get you kicked off campus permanently.
20. Remember to take a fifteen minute break for every hour of studying.
21. Make sure that you shut everything off every night, this helps your university save money on electrical costs.
22. If you need help, do not be afraid to ask, someone can help you or direct you to the proper office or counselor.
23. If someone screams help, help them. Who knows, you just might get a date out of it.
24. Do not be a bigot, nobody likes a racist, or chauvinist. Especially here at UNL, the femi-nazis are everywhere. This “opinion” can get you expelled from this Campus, because it is considered a “hate” crime.
25. Watch what you spend, because every month there is a possibility of a bill that you cannot pay or cannot be foreseen. For example, your car blows a rod in an engine, it happens.
26. Park your car in the Designated parking area. At UNL, you have several different types of parking permits, Residents get a general blue parking permit, and if they do not park in the designated parking area, it is a $30 ticket, for each offense, in other words, if you park in a non-designated spot for three days, you will get a ticket for each day, which comes to $90 dollars in parking tickets. If you park in a fraternity/sorority parking lot and you do not have permission, your car will be towed.
27. If you want to watch TV, and the TV is occupied, try some of the websites that are advertised to show your favorite TV show.

Rules to live by as a College Student

1. If you are having trouble in class, do not be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is one unasked. Also see your TA, and or professor for help, that is what they are being paid to do to TEACH YOU. If they refuse, or are lackluster in their performance, do not be afraid to give them a bad evaluation( This is typical for all professors that do not have tenure), or go see your dean.
2. Do not be afraid to answer questions, as the professor is testing how well you retain the knowledge that he is trying to teach you.
3. TAKE NOTES.
4. Do all Extra Credit assignments if available, because they can bring you up from an A to an A+.
5. Do what you can in your homework the day that it is ASSIGNED. Then research the other answers. If you can’t get the answer, or it is especially elusive, DO ask your TA or Professor to help. This is what they are paid to do, TO TEACH YOU, and make sure that you get the material.
   
6. Make sure that you turn in your assignments the day they are due, finished or not, some credit is better than no credit, and it could very well mean the difference between a C- and a C.(some classes at UNL reqire that you have a C or Better in a prerequisite, before you can take that class.)
7. If you do badly on one test, go over the test, with your professor or TA, and YOUR TEXTBOOK, have them explain those concepts. Besides some of those questions will come up on the final. And do not worry; everyone gets a bad grade one time or another.
   
8.  If you feel that you did not get the grade you deserve, fight for it. More than one professor has been impressed by a student, and gave that student a better grade. They will often give you the reasons why you received the grade, and will give you an opportunity to explain why you should get a better grade. If they are impressed, or you catch them in a technicality (like if you follow the instructions for the paper to the letter), it can get you a regrade.
   
9. Do not expect to get an A from a graduate TA, at most you will receive an A-.
10. Listen to your advisors, and if you feel that they are unsatisfactory as an advisor, ask to see the dean, or ask to be transferred to another..
11. Make sure that your bills are always paid.
12. Avoid credit cards, unless you have one for only the strictest of reasons, emergencies. Make sure that it is used for emergencies only, otherwise you could get bad credit.
13. Get involved with your campus, join the student government, join clubs, do sports, believe me you will be how much you can actually do, and it does look good on a resume. BUT do not let it interfere with your studies, which is your primary goal at the University. You will know if you are doing too many extra-curricular activities, your grades will suffer.
    
14. Do not be afraid to evaluate your professors bluntly, and honestly. Trust me if you have a good suggestion, that will improve their teaching style, they will implement it, unless they are tenure, then they might not.
15. Make sure you fill out any and all campus scholarship applications, who knows you might get the big one, and not worry about student loans.
16. Avoid private loans, they are high interest, and will eat you alive.
17. Make sure you are properly balanced, or harmoniously balanced in mind, body and spirit. If you are balanced you can achieve great wonders.
18. Do not be afraid to be caught reading “For Dummies” books or “Complete Idiot’s Guides” or “Shaum’s Easy Outlines” as they explain advanced concepts in “laymen’s” terms. Anything that can help you in your studies, will improve your retention of the information that is being taught, which means you will get a better grade.
19. MAKE FLASHCARDS for each and every class, and USE them.
20. Do not be afraid to live, break those first misconceptions that people might get when they first meet you. Break stereotypes, don’t act the way people expect you too, it will surprise them. Let’s say you are Asian, incorporate a southern drawl into your speech. Trust me it will freak people out, when you say “Reckon so.”. Stereotypes only last if they are continuously emulated.
21. Help the community. It doesn’t matter if you help out at a local soup kitchen, donate blood or even sell plasma, it helps your community.
22. If you are promiscuous, wrap it up.
23. EXERCISE regularly.
24. Eat right.
25. While you are on campus, you are required to have your student id on you.
    
26. Always finish what you start, never quit.

I hope these lists will help you, as they sure will help me.