Mastering Your Money Mindset

At first, you’re just trying to keep your head above water. You learn to track your spending in a simple notes app, figure out which textbooks you actually need to buy, and figure out how to make your grocery budget last the whole month. You’re basically learning to be aware of where your money is going for the first time.

In your middle years, you start getting more control. You might open a student credit card to build your credit history, learn about campus jobs that work around your class schedule, and begin setting aside a little each month for unexpected expenses. This is when you stop just reacting to bills and start making your money work for you.

By the time you graduate, you’re thinking like an adult with your finances. You understand your student loan repayment timeline, know what salary you’ll need to cover your living expenses after graduation, and have a system for managing your money that actually makes sense. You leave college not just educated, but financially prepared for whatever comes next.