As this semester is starting many people become stressed with class, work, maintaining a social life, clubs and groups, and especially their finances. All of these areas are important and allow for a wonderful college experience, but managing all the activities you want to do while trying to pay for college is difficult for most. If you are overwhelmed with your course-load, financial situation, or social-load or trying to find more places to be involved, here are some tips I believe will help you navigate your college career and create memories to last a lifetime.
- Come to Powercat Financial and Take Control of Your Finances
Since this is a blog from Powercat Financial you knew I was going to mention budgeting, but it is really a foundational component of managing finances and financial stress. A budget is the first step to financial success and the knowledge of where your money is going and knowing if you have enough to pay your expenses this month is powerful and can relieve stress. The concept is easy for most to understand, but actually finding the time and energy to budget is difficult. Come to Powercat Financial if you need help setting up a budget or adjusting your spending habits and we can help with your path to a stress-free financial life.
After starting your budget, you can start to form better spending habits that align with your goals and help you take control of your spending. Determine what expenses are “wants” vs. “needs” and then decide which of the “wants” can be reduced. Reducing “wants” typically involves changing spending habits and being more aware of where you spend money. See the Budgeting section of our website for more information on how to get started.
Manage your credit, debt, student loans, and other aspects of your financial life by letting Powercat Financial help! We currently have 5 peer counselors that will meet with you in our office (room 302 in the Union) or via Zoom to help you with budgeting, student loans, credit, evaluating job offers, and more. Go to our website to at the end of the blog to schedule an appointment and meet with someone like me. Setting your finances straight will take away stress and allow you to focus on your time on school instead of money.
- Utilize Free Resources On-Campus
There are many free resources here to help you have fun and manage your physical and mental health. In addition to our free and confidential financial counseling sessions, Powercat Financial also hosts several events every semester focused on building your financial literacy in a fun and interactive way. We cover topics like Eating Healthy on a Budget, Love & Money, Spring Break not Spring Broke, and others that focus on providing financial education in a fun and interactive way. Currently we are having an event called ‘Get On The Money’ that requires you to search through our website and answer financial questions to win $200! See the bold text at the end of the blog for more information.
Other than Powercat Financial, the rec center is my favorite resource to use on campus because I find that physical activity is any easy way to relieve stress and “check-out” from my day-to-day life.
Also, Cats’ Cupboard is another great resource on campus that gives access to free food and personal hygiene products to any K-State student, faculty, or staff member. If you or a friend are food insecure, Cats’ Cupboard is an incredible resource on-campus that can help. Visit their website here https://www.k-state.edu/cats-cupboard/.
More groups that host free events include Union Program Council (UPC) and Housing and Dining Services (HDS). Both organizations have events on campus and include cookouts, concerts, games, and more. You can also go to most athletic events for free, with the only sports requiring money for admission being football and men’s basketball. K-State’s calendar lists activities happening on campus every day throughout the semester so check it out via https://events.k-state.edu/calendar/.
The Academic Achievement Center offers many different services, such as tutoring and academic coaching that will assist you in your classes and personal life. If you find you are needing mental health support or counseling, go to the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Center in located in Lafene Health Center. They have walk-in hours from 8:00-3:30 Monday-Friday for free 30 minute consultation sessions. Here is a link to their website https://www.k-state.edu/counseling/.
- Be Involved
Join clubs and groups you have interest in, make friends with people on your dorm floor or Greek life house, or get a job. Some of my favorite memories come from my involvement on campus. There are over 500 different organizations at K-State and more forming all the time. There is a club for almost anything you can think of, and if there isn’t then you can make one. I am personally a member of Powercat Financial Student Advisory Board (in addition to being a peer counselor), FPA at K-State, Invest-a-Cats, and I have an off-campus job as well. There are so many different groups and they do not have to be related to your major or field of study for you to join!
If you find that you need more income, a great way to be involved is to find an on-campus job by creating a Handshake account or find an off-campus job to help manage your expenses. Even just a little extra cash can be nice to have flexibility for more fun experiences while you’re at Kansas State.
- Learn to Say No
Being involved on campus is a great way to meet people, enhance your career prospects, and have fun. However, being too involved can be harmful to your mental health and performance in other areas, like class and social life. Learning how to balance your time and prioritize your responsibilities is necessary to succeed in college and life.
One tip I have for students is to set time aside for yourself every day or every week so you can relax, unwind, and enjoy your time at K-State. Whether that means no homework after dinner or personal breaks throughout the day, putting aside personal time can help boost your success in other areas and mental health in general. If you can learn to say “no” to some, you can focus your time on things you really want to say “yes” to.
A new program called You@KSU just launched this semester and is focused on student well-being. As a student, you can “find tips and tools for everything from your mental and physical health, to friendships and finding balance.” Sign up today by following this link https://you.k-state.edu/.
Powercat Financial is available for online or phone financial counseling sessions which may be requested via our website link at www.k-state.edu/powercatfinancial.
This week through September 12th we have our annual GET ON THE MONEY online scavenger hunt (https://tinyurl.com/KSUGetOnTheMoney) where 5 students can win gift cards from $50-$200 with answers found at our website. This Friday (9/3) POP UP TO PF is happening at our office in Union 302 (third floor) which is a day when students can simply walk-in without an appointment to ask a quick money question and get a free pop.
Cal Shimkus
Peer Financial Counselor II
Powercat Financial
powercatfinancial@ksu.edu
www.ksu.edu/powercatfinancial
