We’re all paying loads of tuition for a well-rounded college experience, so why not make the most of everything that’s available to us for four years? There are so many events and programs offered exclusively to students, but many of us are either unaware of them or too nervous to get involved alone - I’ve been there. Coming to college, I had no idea there would be so many non-academic resources available to me on and off-campus. But my freshman year, I was fortunate to find friends on my floor who were excited to explore different events on campus with me. Together, we discovered a rock climbing gym, visited a conservatory, and even attended an enlightening pre-health summit! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of FREE Lifestyle, Wellness, and Career related resources that will add value to your college experience - from free food, to resumé reviews, student discounts, and more!
HOW do I learn about these free resources?
1. Check your email frequently!
2. Sign up for texts!
Yes, it’s that simple! When you arrive at school, signing up for texts and emails from Student Affairs, emergency services, etc. helps to keep you in the loop when important events are occurring or alerts are sent out. Additionally, you can find out more about campus happenings by joining your floor’s group chat, where students often share things they’ve seen going on -- and you can make new friends to explore with! I also suggest using your first few weeks of the semester to explore your campus, so you can discover hidden gems before you get busy.
WHAT free resources are available to me?
These are some resources that are available at my university, so they might not be the exact same at your school. But I highly encourage you to explore similar opportunities on your own campuses, and share them with your friends and peers as well!
Lifestyle
Campus Fairs and Events
At the beginning of the semester, there is usually an Activities Fair for students to explore the many different clubs offered at their school. Throughout the semester, there are more programs such as bonfires, homecoming events, Dean’s Hours, and holiday themed events. Many of these events also offer FREE t-shirts and FREE food if you get there on time. Although this semester may look different because of the restrictions on large gatherings, I’m interested in seeing what kinds of freebies colleges will offer students, if any - masks, chargers, or headphones, perhaps?
Student Discounts
My college email address and student ID are true lifesavers! Make sure you always have these two items handy, because they can unlock so many great opportunities you may not indulge in otherwise. Here are just a few discounts I’ve used mine for over the past three years:
Museums & Restaurants - near your school, as well as major cities in the U.S. and some other countries
Unidays - an app with discount codes for several trendy fashion & lifestyle stores
Spotify Premium Student - FREE 1-month trial, then $4.99/month (and my favorite student discount!)
Amazon Prime Student - FREE 6-month trial, then 50% off
Xfinity Student Deals
Back-to-School Tech Sales (Apple, Best Buy) - Ex. Free Airpods with the purchase of a new Mac or iPad
Wellness
Stress Free Zone
My university recently created this center for students to practice mental and physical mindfulness throughout the day and week. It features massage chairs, relaxing sounds, breathing exercises, and even meditation and yoga classes. Visiting a space like this is great if you ever feel overwhelmed or anxious, or just need a break from your busy daily life.
Creativity Center
This space has a bunch of free art, music, and tech supplies for any projects you want to complete as long as you remain at the center. I enjoy unleashing my creative side here and I’ve made greeting cards and part of my Halloween costume when I didn’t have access to a craft store or transportation to buy supplies.
Counseling Center
Many students think that counseling “isn’t for them” or “they’re always booked”. However, you can always take a trial session, which helps you not only learn more about yourself, but also see if the counselor is a good fit for you. There are also several different forms of counseling or therapy: one-on-one sessions, groups, workshops, or even online modules that you can complete on your own, on-demand. Additionally, I recommend testing the waters at the beginning of the semester if you are interested, to reserve your space in case it gets busy later.
Student Health Center
A visit with a nurse is usually free, and is helpful if you ever get sick or face an emergency. I recommend visiting at off-peak hours such as the early morning, because they tend to get really crowded during the day! Also, don’t forget to get your FREE flu shot, if it’s offered at your school!
Career
Career Center
I highly recommend visiting this office at least once, because they have professionals who help you revise your resumé, CV, and cover letters before you attend a Career Fair or apply for your dream job! Some also have a “Career Closet” where you can borrow professional clothes for an interview, if you don’t happen to have any on campus.
Career Fairs
This is the best way to network with recruiters in person, and leave an amazing first impression! All you have to do is dress in business casual attire, take a notepad and a couple copies of your resumé, and research which stalls you would like to visit, prior to attending. You can attend starting freshman year, like I did, just to get a feel of what it’s like and meet new people -- even if you are not actively seeking a job at the time.
Advising Office
When I needed recommendations for easy, general education courses to take, my advisor listed around 20 course numbers from the top of her head! Because they work with so many other students, they often know what classes are popular and will fit your personality or goals best. My advising office also offers students FREE care packages around the holidays and exam weeks, which is super sweet!
Those are all the great, free resources I can think of right now! Thanks for reading until the end, and I really hope you discovered something new from my post today. I wish you the best of luck for the fall semester, and can’t wait to see you crush your goals! Share your own experiences in the comments below, or chat with me on Instagram @life.with.ankita!
Comments