The Cost of College Life

July 19, 2023

2 Min Read

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One of the many mysteries of college, especially freshman year, is what being there is actually going to cost. Sure, you know there’s tuition. But how much will you need to make it through the first semester? The first year?

Here’s what to plan for first: the start-up costs of being a college student.

Starting Out

Typical start-up costs include a lot of different things, but a good place to start is school supplies—consider the following:

Laptop or tablet
Textbooks
Class, lab, and studio fees
General school supplies like notebooks and pencils.

Consider these purchases if you're moving into a dorm or apartment for the first time:

Bedding and towels
Furniture such as a desk, bed, dresser, couch, or dining room table
Dishes, cutlery, pots, and pans
Small appliances like a blender or toaster
Groceries

You may have some things already, like a laptop or bedding. This can reduce the cost of pre-school shopping. It’s always great to avoid buying something that you’ll only need for a year or two. To help make the initial cost a little easier, it's wise to focus on the essentials first and then build up to the "nice to have" items as you go. That way you'll have enough to get started but won't be stuck with the bill for everything at once.

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