Money Moves
This document tracks your income and expenses so you don’t run out of money before the month ends.
What is a budget?
This legal document binds you to paying rent for a set period and should be read carefully before signing.
What is a lease?
This person on campus advises you on which classes to take, degree requirements, and how to stay on track to graduate.
Who is an academic advisor?
This free or low-cost resource on most campuses provides confidential mental health support and counseling to students.
What is the campus counseling/health center?
Before accepting a job or internship offer, a smart independent adult negotiates this, not just the title.
What is the salary (or compensation/benefits)?
This three-digit number affects your ability to rent an apartment, get a car loan, or qualify for a credit card.
What is a credit score?
This is the safe internal temperature pork and chicken must reach when you cook them yourself.
What is 165°F (chicken) / 145°F (pork)?
Research shows that doing this consistently, even when you don’t feel like it, is the single strongest predictor of passing a college course.
What is attending class?
Doctors recommend getting this many hours of sleep per night for college students to maintain focus and immune health.
What is 7–9 hours?
This is what you should always send within 24 hours of a job interview to stand out from other candidates.
What is a thank-you email / follow-up note?
This type of savings is set aside only for unexpected emergencies like a car repair or medical bill, not concert tickets.
What is an emergency fund?
Sorting your clothes into these two groups before washing prevents your white shirts from turning pink.
What are lights and darks?
Most colleges offer this free peer-to-peer service where trained students help you work through difficult coursework.
What is tutoring?
This is what you should do before a prescription runs out to avoid going days without a necessary medication.
What is refill (or contact your doctor/pharmacy early)?
This two-page maximum document summarizes your education, experience, and skills for potential employers.
What is a resume?
This government form, filed once a year, may result in money being returned to you if your employer withheld too much.
What is a tax return?
This is the first thing you should do when you move into a new apartment to protect your belongings from damage or theft.
What is get renters insurance?
This document, handed out on the first day of class, tells you every due date, exam date, and grading policy for the semester.
What is a syllabus?
This habit, eating regularly, staying hydrated, and not skipping meals, directly impacts your energy and ability to concentrate in class.
What is proper nutrition?
This is the term for the network of professional contacts: professors, supervisors, peers, that can open doors to jobs and opportunities.
What is networking?
This is what happens to your debt if you only pay the minimum balance on your credit card each month.
What is interest accumulating (growing)?
This simple habit that is done before bed, ensures you always have clean clothes and never miss class because you had “nothing to wear.”
What is doing laundry regularly / planning outfits ahead?
This is the minimum GPA most colleges require students to maintain in order to keep their financial aid or scholarships.
What is a 2.0 (or satisfactory academic progress)?
This document, separate from health insurance, specifically covers costs related to eye exams and glasses.
What is vision insurance?
When signing up for your employer’s benefits, missing this annual window means you may have to wait a full year to make changes to your health plan.
What is open enrollment?