Many college students come out of college with mountains of debt and a low credit score. If you want independence from your parents, reconsider if that includes independence from sound advice on finances and other important life matters. This advice can save you from years of payments to creditors and unnecessary dings on your credit score. Here's what I would tell a freshman loved one about saving money and credit, from my own experience:

1. Budget.

More than two-thirds of recent graduates have student loan debt at graduation, according to Consumer Reports. Make a budget and stick to it. Sure, you will be tempted to blow it off and go party with no regard for the bills you have to pay later, but resist that temptation. Think of low-budget, affordable ways to have fun with your friends, like movie nights at home or making a meal together. You can find great budgeting tips from financial expert Dave Ramsey or check into the student organizations on campus; they usually offer budgeting classes.

2. Skip the Credit Cards.

Credit cards are easily accessible for students, and there are many lenders both on-campus and off that are just waiting to extend credit to you. This may seem like an easy way to get the things you want without waiting, but don't fall into this trap. Eventually, you have to pay that money back. And having a lot of credit card debt can lower your credit score and make it more difficult to get the things you need later. If you must have a credit card, try to find one with a low interest rate and reserve it for emergencies.

3. Cut Student Loan Debt.

Many students take out the maximum amount in student loans, whether they need it or not. They end up using the excess for frivolous purchases or just daily spending money. The average amount of student debt in Canada is $28,000, and almost 60 percent of students graduate with some type of debt, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Again, these funds have to be paid back and can take years to pay off. Only take what you have to have to pay for your education.

4. Work Part-Time.

Pick up a part-time job for help covering your living expenses and extra spending money. This will help you cut down on debt and have money for what you need. No one wants to be a broke student, sitting by watching their friends having fun. Just working a few hours a week can mean the difference between being left out of events or being the life of the party. Look into local restaurants, shops and eateries on campus, or even look into pizza delivery if you have your own vehicle.

One way to earn extra money and jump start your CV is to get a job in the field you hope to enter once you graduate. For example, if you're going to school to be a paralegal, see if any local law offices are hiring for data entry clerks or court runners. Paid internships help you get valuable experience and extra spending money, too.

5. Buy Textbooks Online.

This is an area where you can find huge savings. Purchasing textbooks from your university is a major expense; most students spend $800 to $1,000 per year on textbooks, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada reports. Stop by the bookstore at your university, copy the ISBN numbers off the books you need and shop online for a better deal. Many times you can get these books for pennies on the dollar. Just be sure you get the correct edition of the required text so you'll have the information you need to pass the course.

Your university years should be the best of your life. Take care of your finances now to help ensure that these years don't leave a negative impact for years to come.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Norman Randal), Google (images).

When you have to balance school, work, relationships, and a social life it can make it hard keeping your grades high, but trust me, it’s possible, I’ve have personally done it. While it takes is a lot of self guidance, and time management, it will be worth it at graduation time when you walk down the line with a 4.0 GPA.

The semester is about to start, or has already started, so here are some general tips for achieving that 4.0 GPA this semester.

1. Take a second and think about how much time you waste sitting around surfing the web or watching TV.

Your grades would improve dramatically if you devoted some of that time to your course work. The Internet and the TV are not going to go anywhere, however, you only have one opportunity to go to college.

2. Do not ever procrastinate.

Always keep up with the assigned work for all of your classes. Start your assignments as soon as you find out the due date. A lot of stress will be relieved from your shoulders when you complete your work ahead of time.

3. Make your best effort to attend every class.

Participation counts, so go to class when you are sleepy, hungover, or tired. Only miss class if it’s a real emergency! If you do have an emergency and miss class, make sure to get the notes you missed from class mates, and email your professor to let him know why you missed. The professor will think of you as a “caring student” and you will benefit from his or her pleasant view towards you.

4. Make sure to take good notes.

Even if you don’t miss class at all because it is not likely you will remember everything that was said during your lecture. There are several note taking methods and techniques discussed in this blog. Try them out, and stick to the one you are the most comfortable with. Furthermore, taking notes and staying busy in class will prevent your mind from wandering and day dreaming.

5. Try your best to get enough sleep.

Every person is different with regards to how much sleep they need in order to function properly, so if you are falling asleep in class or not paying any attention, then you probably did not get enough sleep the night before. If that is something you can not really control, then invest in a digital voice recorder.

Taken from: perfectgpablog.com (article, By Dave), Google (images).

Late-night pizza orders, athletic events, social parties and good-looking classmates are common distractions that keep many college students from doing what they should be doing -- studying.

It takes self-discipline to ignore distractions, but if you put off fun time until you've finished your coursework, you'll feel better about your academic goals. Developing friendships with students who are serious about their schoolwork may help you strengthen your study habits.

1. Limit Internet Use.

The Internet makes it difficult to focus on studying because it's so convenient. Most colleges have campuswide Internet access, so students can get online almost anywhere. According to the Health Guidance website, it's easy for college students to rationalize getting on the Internet because they may need to check e-mail messages or class assignments.

Once you're on the Internet, you may waste precious study time visiting social networking sites or searching the Web. Setting limits on Internet usage, leaving your computer in your dorm room while you study at the library and turning your computer off are ideal ways to limit distractions and focus on studying.

2. Create a Study Schedule.

Creating a study schedule can help you manage your time. According to Western Nevada College, studying for small blocks of time can make assignments and exam preparation less overwhelming. Short, tangible study periods allow you to take small breaks between sessions, giving you the opportunity to re-energize.

With busy academic schedules and roommates vying for your attention, it's often easier to fit short study periods into your hectic schedule.

3. Join a Study Group.

Misery loves company, so share the pressure and anxiety of studying with a study buddy or a study group. The Academic Skills Center at California Polytechnic State University recommends studying with classmates who aren't your best friends so you'll be more likely to study.

You and your study partner can take turns quizzing each other on relevant facts or equations, making study time more productive. Study group participants might bring up concepts you forgot to study or recall important information that the professor stressed in his lecture.

4. Clean and Organize.

Studying is nearly impossible if you don't have -- or can't find -- the right resources or materials to study. Choose a study space that's uncluttered, clean and organized, so you can lay out all your study notes and textbooks.

If you study in your dorm room, put away all your electronics, dirty clothes and empty fast food containers so you can focus on the task at hand. A clean space is not only less distracting, it's more visually appealing and inviting.

Taken from: education.seattlepi.com (article, By Kristine Tucker), Google (images).

1. Where does your money go?

It is important to know where you are spending your money. This will allow you to develop better spending habits.

2. Make a budget.

Estimate your monthly income and expenses. Check out the budget planner in our MoneyHelp section.

3. Live like a college student.

The reality is that you're a college student. So live like one—don't spend money you don't have yet. Though it may feel difficult, living like a student now will place you in a better financial situation when you graduate.

4. Don't abuse credit.

Be responsible with credit cards. Only charge what you can truly afford to pay off each month and make sure it fits into your budget. If you are easily tempted to overuse, leave the credit card at home and take only the cash you can afford to spend.

5. Nothing's impossible.

While it may seem impossible to save, try anyway, even if it's only $10 a week. Place the money in a savings account that's not attached to your ATM card so it is not as easily accessible.

6. Keep it safe.

Be sure to keep receipts, student loan documents and other financial statements. You never know when you will need to refer to these documents.

7. But do you need it?

One of the most important money saving tips is not to buy on impulse. Wait a few days and see if you still need the item.

8. Keep score.

Make sure you pay your bills on time, every time. While this may seem obvious, paying on time is a big factor in having a good credit score.

9. Be a cheapskate.

Many colleges offer lots of free or cheap activities on campus which will provide the opportunity to socialize without a lot of expense.

10. Milk your student status.

Lots of places will give you a discount simply for being a student. Look for places that offer savings when you show your student I.D.

11. Extra cash.

As long as you are able to manage your studies, a part-time job is a great way to earn a little extra spending money.

12. Use the used.

Look online or check with your college bookstore for used textbooks for classes, which can save you some money. Selling back your used books at the end of the semester could score you some extra cash. Check online or with your campus bookstore for buy-back details.

Taken from: citizensbank.com (article, By citizensbank.com), Google (images).

Rule 1.
 
Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2.

The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3.

You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4.

If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5.

Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6.

If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7.

Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8.

Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9.

Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10.

Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11.

Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Also read the article leadership tips from Bill Gates.

Taken from: blogs.msdn.com (article), Google (images).

On the day of the exam.

1. Drink enough water.

Eat a balanced light breakfast. This could be wholemeal bread with margarine, jam or peanut butter, egg, or a medium bowl of noodle soup, or a medium bowl of fortified breakfast cereals with milk or soya or iddlis (steamed Indian rice cakes) with dhall gravy.

2. Refrain from consuming heavy.

Fried or oily meals as this will use up most of your body's oxygen as energy for digestion by the stomach. By doing this, your brain is denied much of the oxygen it needs to function effectively and stay alert.

3. Eat frequent small meals.

Spread out throughout the day. This could be buns, sandwiches and chicken pau as snack, with rice, vegetables, fish and fruits for main meals.

4. Do enjoy some calming music.

While on the way to school as this can be used to ease pre-exam nerves.

5. Sleep early each day.

And let your brain and body rest well.

A few weeks before the exam.

6. Eat small servings of nutrient dense foods.

(for example, a slice of bread with cheese, which has more nutrients, as opposed to a slice of bread with kaya, which has empty calories) frequently. This means spread your meals across the day to 5-6 small ones instead of large meals. Eating large meals can slow you down mentally and physically and make you sleepy.

7. Drink enough liquids.

To flood your body and flush out your toxins. For optimum brain function, the brain needs to be hydrated as it acts as a transport system delivering nutrients to the brain and eliminating toxins. Fruits and fruit juices are rich in vitamins, minerals, and make great snacks, too.

Water, milk, soya drinks keep you hydrated. Refrain from drinking too much coffee or carbonated drinks. Too much of these drinks may keep you awake but with the little nutrients they provide, the mind becomes groggy and you will be unable to absorb what you read well.

8. Do not skip breakfast.

Enjoy a light, balanced breakfast with foods such as cereals, bread, fruits, eggs, milk or malt based drinks with some fresh juices.

9. Consider lean protein.

Such as lean chicken, meat, fish, eggs, nuts and tofu, which contain essential amino acids which are essential for optimising your mental performance and alertness throughout the day.

10. Inadequate amount of iron.

Can cause a drop in concentration and energy according to a study conducted by King's College, London. Good sources of iron are green leafy vegetables, eggs, red meat, sardines and fortified cereals and juices. Make these a part of your daily diet.

11. A few nights before the exam.

Go to bed at reasonable hours. Sleep is the memory booster for your brain. It will be good if you can sleep for at least 7-8 hours per day.

12. If you like playing football or basketball.

Or cycling, continue to do so as this will keep you fit and well.

Taken from: News Straits Times - 9 September 2012 (article), Google (images).