The essentials that I have in my university bag are definitely far from what I used to put in my school bag. When I was in high school, I used to have a huge backpack where I carry around loads of notebooks for different subjects. Actually I must have brought that bag until my first year in uni when I was acting like a very good student. But now, I just got tired of it and I realized that these are pretty much the only things I need to survive a day inside the campus. First of all, here’s the bag I currently use. I have featured it on my recent “What I Got For Christmas” blog - whoapotato.weebly.com/home/january-03rd-2018 It might look small from the outside but it can fit quite a lot of stuff. Aside from being small, I like that it’s also black with tassels that give it a nice edgy touch. It has great quality for a very affordable price. The material doesn’t feel cheap at all and it doesn’t seem like it can easily get ripped. It has basically got everything I love in a bag. Now here are the contents of my bag: I.D. – I have it on my bag at all times. Even when I come home and I remove my uniform and ID, I put it in my bag right away because I’m scared I might forget it. I didn’t want to have a record since the guards at my uni are very keen at checking. I also put my beep card along with it because I ride the train and it’s easier for me that way. Umbrella – The weather here is very unpredictable so I had to bring this everywhere with me. There’s nothing I hate more than being stranded in a place waiting for the rain to stop because I forgot my umbrella. Pouch – This is where I try to keep my earphones and phone. I can’t count how many earphones I’ve broken because I would just throw them in my bag and they’d be tangled and it’s a disaster, so I try to take care of them now. Well good for me. It’s been three months and my earphones are still holding on. PS The pouch is not sponsored by BDO. My mom just gave it to me and it’s the perfect size because my big phone can fit in there. Wallet – My friend gave it to me as a “pasalubong” when she went to the province. At first, I didn’t know when I’d use it since I already have a wallet plus it’s really thin it can’t fit my cards and receipts. But then recently I’ve been using it for that same exact reason. Since it’s thin, it doesn’t take up much space. It’s perfect for when I don’t really need to bring other stuff but just money. Fan - Our rooms are air conditioned but in between classes or during commute, this thing helps a lot. Vanity pouch – I’ve got a mirror, powder, fragrance mist, lip tint, and comb – to look somehow presentable because yknow every student is in a stressful environment. I also have a lotion and lip balm because as I have said, we stay in air conditioned rooms and my skin and lips tend to get really dry. I bring a mouthwash because I get conscious especially when I eat food that leaves a strong smell. Well maybe I could just bring a toothbrush but that’s too much work for me. Pencil case – I try to be artsy so I have all of these colourful pens with me at all times. But really the essentials are just black marker, ruler, red and black pens, and scissor. Notebook – I learned that you basically just need one notebook to survive a semester. I write everything there - notes, reminders, schedules, deadlines. It’s basically my life and the most important thing inside my bag. These are everything I keep in my front pocket so they are easily accessible. Coin purse – Very helpful for when I commute so I don’t have to dig for my wallet inside the main compartment of my bag. Hair tie – You just never know when you need it. Alcohol – Hygiene is very important for me. Tote bag – I just fold it to make it smaller so it doesn’t take much space but I try to bring at least one because sometimes I buy things on the way home and I need something where I can put them. Most of the time I also bring water bottle with me but I had to use a bigger bag because a water bottle does take up a lot of space and it instantly makes your bag ten times heavier. But I am still an advocate of bringing your own water bottle because aside from saving money, you get to help the environment by not using disposable plastic bottles.
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These are the things that I personally do to save money while I am still a student. I hope at least one of these will help you.
1. Apply for a scholarship This is definitely one of the things that have helped me throughout my college life. I always tell people around me who kept complaining about how broke they are to try applying for a scholarship. There are loads of scholarship grants out there. Schools even post about them on bulletin boards so you can always check on that. Don’t be afraid to try. I have been rejected as well but since I really wanted it so bad, I kept applying until I got accepted. It’s been very helpful since not only does it pay for my tuition, but I also receive a monthly allowance. It will also motivate you to study harder since you have to maintain your grades to remain a scholar. 2. Save on Transportation Find other routes. I used to think that the only way I could reach my school was through MRT and LRT, but then the fares got higher and I had to find other ways. I learned that I could ride a jeepney and I could save 14 pesos from my usual fare. Add up to a whole week, that’s 70 pesos you could save. 3. Bring “baon” Don’t be shy and think that you are too old to bring your own “baon” to school. If your friends judge you for it, then they aren’t your real friends. 4. Take some “rakets” You can tutor someone, volunteer for babysitting, or do other students’ assignment. There are loads of things you can do and you can even finish them on your free time. 5. Be with people who are as stingy as you are Do not hang with people who spend too much. Chances are you will be pressured to buy as well, so be with people who don’t like to spend much. You can save together and be stingy with each other. 6. Bring your own water One small water bottle costs around 15 pesos. That’s not even enough for the whole day so you are most likely to buy more. Just bring a big water bottle to keep you hydrated all day long. Yes, it adds weight to your bag but it also adds money to your pocket. 7. Buy big notebooks/binders This is for those who are not required to have separate notebooks for each subject. It’s mostly applicable for college students since professors don’t even check your notes. You can just write all of your lessons in one big notebook. Not only will your wallet thank you, but also your bag. I might write another blog on how I keep my notes organized in one notebook. 8. Take advantage of the free wifi I don’t about you, but my university offers free wifi. I take advantage of it. Sometimes I would even bring my own laptop to school to finish a requirement especially when I don’t have enough time. It saves me a lot of money since I don’t have to rent on a computer shop. I could even open my laptop during breaks or vacant time. 9. Take advantage of the free electricity Don’t do this all the time but if you really have to, you can plug in your phone or laptop so you can charge them on an empty classroom. Some dorms don’t allow students to charge so you could just do it at school. It will save you money instead of paying at loading stations. 10. Do not buy new stuff every school year Control yourself from buying unnecessary items every year. Only buy the things you really need. Check your things because you could even reuse some of them. Like for some notebooks that still have a lot of pages you can write on. If this is your first time paying for your tuition fee at Landbank and you have no idea what in the world you're doing, I hope this article helps you. Well I am pretty sure you already know this but the first step is apparently enrolling online. I won't explain the process anymore because I don't know what procedures other universities follow, but from my university there's an instruction on the site so just in case I forgot how to enrol myself (which happens every term), I know I can always read the online enrolment procedures. Now, if you are too lazy to read, you always have your classmates to the rescue. You'll know that you have successfully done it when you click save and it shows the bank copy and order of payment voucher. Check if it has accurate information and print it out. For my case, I only need one sheet of bond paper and I print my voucher in landscape. It is divided into two parts. The first half is the bank copy and the other half is the order of payment. Now usually I will only need to use the bank copy if I enrol through Landbank, which means I could keep the order of payment voucher to myself. But some branches require both vouchers so I always bring both just in case. Well for other universities, maybe it's not exactly the same but the thought is just the same. Bring any voucher you need to present at the bank. It may be your registration form or whatever. You may also want to know when is the deadline of the payment. You don't want to be late because there will be additional fee. For us it's Php250 and it happened to me once when I was too lazy to go to the bank. Please don't be like me unless you're willing to pay for your laziness. Now once you have forced yourself to finally go to the bank, don't forget to bring your voucher and payment. Also, always bring an ID. Landbank doesn't really require it but you know, it is always good to be a boy/girl scout. You should also prepare Php25 for the additional bank service fee. When you're there, just act normal, as if you know what you're doing. Be confident, gurl. When a security guard asks what you're there for, just tell him you will pay for your tuition fee then flip your hair. There's this area inside where you can fill out forms and it's definitely overwhelming if this is your first time because there are lots of different kinds of forms. This is the form that you have to get. It is back-to-back but this is the part that you have to fill out.
For the date, write the exact date when you're actually paying. Then, put a check on "cash" as your mode of payment. Now for the account number, check your voucher or registration form. It is there and you just have to copy it. For the merchant/agency name, write the name of your university. It is okay to write the acronym if the name of your uni is too long and you're too tired to write it or if your handwriting is so big you're afraid it won't fit. For reference number 1, write your full name. Reference number two should include your course code, which you should also see on your voucher. Reference number three is your student number. The amount is the total amount of your tuition fee, that's without the bank service fee. Then, write the name and signature of whoever is paying. It could be you if you're personally paying or it could be your mom or any representative. Just bring an ID to be sure. Fill out three copies of the same form. One copy goes to Landbank and you could keep the other two as your official receipt. When you're done, go to the security guard near some kind of a machine. I have no idea what it's called. It ejects a number and you should keep that and wait until your number is called. There are TV screens that flash those numbers and that's where you could watch out if you're next. It also tells you which teller you should approach. When it's your turn, just present all the forms you filled out together with your voucher/registration form. The teller validates it and she signs/stamps your forms. Give your payment which includes the bank service fee. When it's done, she will return the two forms for you, and she will keep your voucher. As I have mentioned earlier, those forms will serve as your receipt. And that's it. You're done. Other people do not prefer this way of paying for tuition fees. Others have experienced paying through Landbank but when school year starts, they would learn they're still not officially enrolled. That is the reason why others would rather go to their university to pay there. I have never experienced any failed transaction for the last terms that I have been paying through the bank. I prefer it especially when I am on vacation. I would rather pay for the additional Php25 bank service fee than experience the hassle of commuting to uni with the expected long line of students paying at the cashier. It usually just takes me at least 15 minutes at the bank compared to a whole day at school. |
just call her "G"when she can't say it, |