When I was in college I was a RA for three years. It had its pros and cons but the one thing that it taught me was to know and understand every resource on campus. Because I would never know when my resident would need my help on something. And that has led me here helping you understand the vast amount of resources that are on campus.
So here today I am going to share with you some of the best resources that are offered on and off your college campus. These are resources that you more than likely are not taking advantage of, but are paying the full price for.
Here is the Video for this Blog
On Campus Resources
Some of the obvious resources that most people use are the career center, the library, and the student café. However there are a lot of hidden gems on your college campus. I would take advantage of these resources listed below while they are either free or heavily discounted.
- Health Services – Most of the time you have a very proficient student wellness center directly on campus. Here you can get every service that your primary care physician would normally do. At a cheaper price mostly. They also offer a lot of preventive care catered to students.
- Advisors – Your advisors are there for your every career/academic question. They usually have multiple degrees in your major, and are tenure at the school. I would use this resource more and more as you approach your graduation date.
- Tutors – If you are falling behind in your coursework most of the time schools have free tutors there to help you study for that next test, or complete the next project.
- Rec/Fitness Center – Please Please Please use the gym at your school. You are already paying for access to the gym, and most of the time the gyms on college campuses are the best gyms in the city. Your gym will also have things like pools, common spaces, spa centers, basketball courts and much more.
- Sporting Events – As a student you will get discounted and or free tickets to all of your schools sporting events. Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, etc.
- Counselors/Therapy Sessions – I am a huge advocate for mental health. So I am 100% going to recommend that you go to a counseling session while you are in school. Most of the time students are already stressed out with class work and a social life. Going to a therapy session can help you take actionable steps towards feeling your best self. And. These. Are. FREEEEE, at most schools.
- Campus Streaming Service- If you don’t have Netflix are other streaming sites. Most of the time if you stay in the dorms they have cable access for your tv. And my school had a streaming site similar to Netflix. Where we could request movies and shows to be added to it.
Off Campus Resources
Off campus resources are where you can really start to see your money stretch. Most of the off campus resources are going to require you to have your student ID. So that means you don’t have to be in college to use these tips. Shhhhhh.
- Discounts at Local Restaurants and Bars – When you are in a college town the economy thrives on the population of the school. So most of those businesses will gladly offer you a student discount to dine in their establishment. Movie theaters, discount tickets to amusement parks, and shows around the city also come at a lower price just for students
- Student Email – When you sign up for different sites with your .edu they will give you discounts and perks such as free delivery, and half off of certain products. *cough* *cough* Amazon 🙂 If you like listening to music and watching movies, then you can also get the Spotify, Hulu, and Showtime student discount for only a few dollars a month.
- Tech Discounts – Various companies like Apple, Best Buy, HP, Lenovo, Logitech, Microsoft, and Samsung, offer discounts exclusively for students on their technology.
- Food Discounts – Places like Burger King, McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Dunkin Donuts, and Taco Bell. Will offer you discounts if you ask them for a student discount on your meal.
Rob’s Opinion
I personally always ask for the student discount when I go to different places because the worst they can say is no. And I milked my student email until the servers eventually kicked me off from my undergrad email.
As far as the on campus resources, my advice is use them before you graduate. I waited until my junior year to start using the gym and going to counseling sessions. And I kicked myself for not using these resources sooner. Because now I am dreading going back to a gym because it’s going to cost upwards of $40.
