The choices you make today will help ensure a brighter financial future.
Your primary reason for attending college is to jumpstart your career, of course. But, did you know there are many other things you can do now to help secure your future? Here are just five things you can do today that will improve your after-college life.
Be careful with your internet presence
You aren’t thinking about terms like “personal brand” just yet, but you’ll be applying for that first after-college job in just a few short years. In our digital age, employers tend to check out prospective employees’ internet presences to get a feel for what kind of person they might be hiring. Be careful to cultivate the online image you’d be comfortable sharing with your future boss.
Master the art of negotiating
Whether you’re a skilled debater or love to keep a low profile, you need to learn how to negotiate to earn your true worth. And you’ll need to know how to do that as soon as you’re applying for your very first real job.
Master the art of negotiating now by practicing on your friends whenever you disagree on something. You can find lots of tips and techniques online—research and then try them. See what works and what will never fly. By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped to politely and firmly negotiate for a better salary, an improved benefits package and more.
Stick to a budget
Sure, you’ve got a mountain of student debt to pay off, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prioritize your budget. Learn how to stick to a spending plan now, while life is still relatively cheap. Better yet, see if you can cut down on your monthly spending and start paying back your student loan before you’ve graduated.
If you need help managing your money, be sure to call, click, or stop by Partner Colorado today for free financial advice. You can also check out our free online personal financial management tool, My Financial Partner. You can manage all your finances in one spot, track spending, set financial goals and establish realistic budgets.
Sign up for a class that’s not related to your major
Take the time to explore educational pursuits not directly related to your chosen major. It’s always a good idea to broaden your knowledge base, and you never know which class or area of study can be super-handy at a later time. Consider subjects like finances, computer science and accounting, all of which will likely be useful to you one day.
We offer free financial seminars throughout the year on topics ranging from improving your credit to planning for retirement. Later this month, we’re offering a free Home Buying Seminar. Even if you’re not ready to buy your first home yet, you can learn more about the home-buying process and figure out what it takes to own a home someday. Register online for our seminar and expand your financial knowledge.
Develop healthy habits
Now that you’re living on your own and responsible for your daily schedule, take the time and effort to establish healthy habits on every level. Find a healthful diet you can stick to, adapt a responsible sleeping pattern and establish a study and work routine that shows maturity, perseverance and forethought. It might be more fun to let loose for another few years, but developing healthy habits now shows you’re growing up and ready to join the world of adults.
Keep in mind, the choices you make today will help ensure your brighter financial future tomorrow.
SOURCES:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/best-advice-college-students-never-hear-2017-5
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/know-yourself/5-ways-to-find-career-ideas
