Contents
- Stay away from your room, it’s your worst enemy
- Go to events!
- Join a club, intramural team, or volunteer with an organization on campus
- Find the best deals for textbooks
- Buy rain stuff
- Call your parents so they don’t call you constantly
- Vents blow opposite air
- Make at least one friend in each class
- Use meal exchanges as much as you can
- Save money and time using technology
Business school. A scary new phase in life. If only someone had some hacks for business school students before they spend their first semester away from home… Well, if you’re a part of the Jindal School, you’re in luck. I have listed a couple of college hacks (specific to business school) below that hopefully bring some peace of mind before you leave the nest.
1. Stay away from your room, it’s your worst enemy
Yes, you may not want to go out and meet new people, but you’ll surprise yourself by seeing how much fun you’ll have! Go out with your roommates, go study in the library, or participate in activities put on by your Peer Advisor (trust me, it sounds more awkward than it is). Put yourself out there! Business school careers require you to be at least a little social.
2. Go to events!
Networking is extremely important in the business world. As a business student, you need to learn how to socialize well with others. If you get to know more people, new opportunities will arise to boost your social life and career as a future businessman/woman.
There is an endless amount of JSOM events as well as on-campus activities! One of my favorite events is the Silent Disco at the beginning of the year. I went with my roommates and some people we met on our floor, and it was so much fun! The SUAAB hosts’ artists, comedians, entrepreneurs, etc. most Wednesdays each month. You can also go to NCAA athletic games. Most of the time they give out free shirts or have a sweet giveaway with awesome prizes.
3. Join a club, intramural team, or volunteer with an organization on campus
I am currently on the Women’s Soccer team and the JSOM Social team. Both of these groups have given me a family per se. Becoming a part of a student organization, sport, or club gives you a greater opportunity to make friends, get professional practice and learn new skills. If there isn’t a group out there for something you enjoy, start an organization!
4. Find the best deals for textbooks
Don’t settle for the first deal you find because you can find your books cheaper somewhere else. I used slugbooks.com because it compares every website you can find textbooks on and helps you find the cheapest option. Most of your business classes require you to read books about the course for homework and then apply to knowledge through activities in class, so it’s important you get the books to reach the grades you want.
5. Buy rain stuff
It rains a lot here in Richardson so get rain boots, a rain jacket, umbrella, anything you need for the rain because when it rains, IT POURS.
6. Call your parents so they don’t call you constantly
Your parents want to hear from you even if they won’t admit it. Just give them a call every once in a while and talk about your day. Let them know you’re ok and they won’t be calling or text you all the time.
7. Vents blow opposite air
There are multiple vents on the ground outside around campus. If it’s hot outside, it blows cold air and vice versa (cold outside, hot air blows out). Don’t believe me? Go try it on any vent on the ground around campus. It’s nice when you have a business presentation for your marketing class and your walking from the dorms in your business professional attire. The nice cool air helps you keep you at a nice cool temperature.
8. Make at least one friend in each class
By doing so its easier to make study groups for that class and they will definitely catch you up in case you have to miss a class (but that doesn’t mean you should skip). Knowing someone in that class also means you have a struggle buddy! Plus, you’re building up your network as we discussed before.
9. Use meal exchanges as much as you can
Ask anyone, the dining halls or cafeterias at any university are just not that great. Fortunately, we have a great variety here at UT Dallas. You can meal exchange or use meal money at a restaurant at the Student Union only once a day to save money on meals, so chose wisely.
10. Save money and time using technology
Using the UTD Mobile app , you can check Comet Cab times, order your meals ahead of time, see what is open, pay bills, view available parking in the parking structures, check your email, and so much more!
There you go! 10 college hacks for business school students that will help you survive through your first semester at the University of Texas at Dallas. If you have any tricks and tips of your own, write them down in the comments section! We’d love to hear from other students. Also, you can read my blog Sleeping in Class Do’s and Don’ts for more tips. Now go out and burn ‘em, crush ‘em, fight ‘em comets! WHOOSH!
