The semester is really rolling by but I’m excited to enjoy the last of my experiences as a senior. If there is one thing that I’ve learned about being a college student, it’s that you always want to do things that make your life a little easier. To make things fun this week, I wanted to list some of my all-time favorite campus life tips that I utilize throughout the semester. The tips that I’m going to list can save you money or time or just give you more of a sense of what Missouri State offers to its students. 

Campus Life Tips 

Coupon book 

Believe it or not, the MSU Bookstore has a free coupon book usually offered near the entry or exit doors. If you don’t see them there, you can ask the Bookstore staff. The coupon book offers deals for the Bookstore, some fast-food options, and other Springfield area places. You can save money and use those university coupons whenever you stop by the Bookstore to grab some BearWear.  

Dining halls 

If you live in a residence hall, then you would be required to have a meal plan that gives you money for Boomer Meals and access to the dining halls. Due to past circumstances, the campus adapted take-out boxes and cups. I’m usually on the go so I like to grab food at the dining halls using the take-out boxes. If I’m not hungry but will be later, getting takeaway to save to eat later saves me time and money on the fast food that I might have otherwise bought.  

Powder detergent  

In my experience when it comes to detergent, the powder is better in comparison to liquid detergent. With the powder, you get a lot for your money and can make the detergent last for a long time especially if you do your laundry on a schedule. I’ve used both liquid and detergent to wash clothes and personally my clothes get a lot cleaner using powder, especially for stubborn stains.   

Dryer sheets  

This tip is one of my favorites because I didn’t realize until recently that you can make your clothes smell great even with one dryer sheet, split into two pieces. Previously, I used two dryer sheets when drying my clothes because both pieces would get around the clothes in the dryer. I got curious one day and just ripped one dryer sheet into two. From that experience, I quickly learned that my clothes still smell really good and I save money in the long run by using one less dryer sheet.    

Cup scrambled eggs  

I’m living in a residence hall again this semester and using the kitchen every other morning can get really tiring. In order to save time in the mornings, I make scrambled eggs in a coffee mug. I add two eggs, bacon bits, salt, and pepper, just stir everything together, and microwave for about two minutes. You have to make sure to watch the mug in the microwave so you don’t overcook it and the eggs don’t overflow. Everyone’s microwave is different so cook the egg in increments to make it easier to pinpoint when the egg(s) are cooked.  

Takeaways 

I like it when I’m able to make my life easier because I’m always running around and getting things done. Classes take up lots of time and I really like to have my own personal time to do the things that I like to do. The life tips that I’ve listed are things that have been a part of my everyday life for the past five years and have helped me to better manage my money and time. I’m hoping that these tips can help some of you out too or encourage you to create some of your own. 

Be on the lookout for the rest of the semester’s blog posts and some new peer mentors that are ready to take the blog by storm.  

~ Alexandria  

(Bio: I’m the middle child of seven kids in my immediate family. I’m currently a senior business major at Missouri State University.)