College Life
Things to Do at College
Following these simple tips will help ease the transition from home to campus.
- If you don’t already know your roommate, get acquainted over the summer. Figure out who’s going to bring what big items (refrigerator, TV, etc.). Dorm rooms usually aren’t big, so you don’t want two of each.
- Find out from the school what is and is not allowed in your dorm room. Small fridges may be fine, but an electric skillet may be a no-no.
- Know what financial aid you’re supposed to receive, and know when it’s supposed to be there. KEES awards, for example, won’t be sent until the school lets KHEAA know that you’re enrolled.
- Sit down with your parents and figure out a budget.
- Attend orientation with your parents. There will most likely be different sessions for you and your parents, because you’ll need to know different things about the college.
- Get a feel for the campus. If you have a schedule, find out where your classes are before classes start.
- Be safety-minded. When you have hundreds or thousands of people around, some won’t be trustworthy. Lock your room whenever you’re not there, and don’t leave your books and other items lying on the table at the library while you’re searching for the book you need. Learn fire escape routes for the dorm and the classroom buildings.
Reporting Identity Theft
If you’ve become a victim of identity theft follow these steps:
- Report it to your financial institution. Call the phone number on your account statement or on the back of your credit or debit card.
- Report the fraud to your local police. Keep a copy of the police report which will make it easier to prove your case to creditors and retailers.
- Contact the credit-reporting bureaus and ask them to flag your account with a fraud alert that asks merchants not to grant new credit without your approval.
