6 tips to live your best college life, according to students

Oh, college. Like any major life change, it’s difficult and nerve-racking, but you come out of the other side with some of your best memories. You experience a lot of firsts—maybe your first time living away from home, your first failing grade, or your first time feeling like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. One thing’s for sure: in college, our worlds open up, and everything feels within reach. It’s like we can be anything we want. 

Since it’s our last hurrah before officially entering capital-A Adulthood, we want to make the most out of our college era. We asked 6 students: how can students live their best college lives?

Some of your best teachers will be people you meet outside the classroom

My biggest advice for people in university is to find your community. Being away from my friends and family, my orgs and communities served as my support systems throughout my university life.

It’s in these communities where you can grow, learn, and experience university beyond the classroom. It’s in these spaces where you can build meaningful connections, gain diverse perspectives, and develop skills you won’t find in textbooks. They provide the emotional and mental foundation you need to thrive, offering a sense of belonging and purpose that makes the college experience more enriching and holistic.

So, whether it’s a student organization, a sports team, or a study group, find your community. They’re the ones who will help you grow into the best version of yourself!  – JR Despi, University of the Philippines Los Baños

Manage your time wisely, and stay connected!

If you're trying to manage your workload and responsibilities as a college student, I’d recommend focusing on time management. Using a planner or an app can really help you keep track of assignments and deadlines. I know the feeling since I usually get up early to have volleyball training until noon before I dive into my classes for the rest of the afternoon. 

I rely heavily on mobile data for a ton of my activities throughout the day, from connecting with friends, accessing study materials, and coordinating with my study groups and my volleyball team. It’s so easy to stay connected since I buy load from GCash which is instant and super quick, and it helps me stay productive throughout the day. Having that constant connection is really important for both my social life and studies!

And of course, don’t forget to take breaks! Not everyone knows this, but there are lots of student discounts when you click on the A+ rewards icon on GCash.There are vouchers for Grab, Foodpanda, and even Steam. Perfect for your study breaks. – Amie Provido, De La Salle University Manila

Happy crushes can be good for your mental health

Sign up for runs, try out freediving, pick up crocheting—anything at all! This creates ample space for you to breathe and focus more effectively when you study. Bonus: go get yourself a crush. Be giddy, laugh loudly, and live happily. Sometimes, it’s not that serious. – Lorecelle Villaroya, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology

E-wallets are your best friend when you’re always on the go

It’s really important that, when you get to college, you don’t stop doing whatever it is you love doing. So every day before I go to school, I take care of my dog Tyson. I also eat lunch with my friends at school. Once I get home, I work on my homework of course, but also my content on TikTok and Facebook since I’m a content creator. I also find time to play and stream Valorant with my friends.

As a college student, you’re always on the go, especially when you’re someone like me with so much stuff going on. I find it useful to use an e-wallet app like GCash because my family can send my allowance there anytime, and I can already use it to pay. Lots of restaurants and cafes, as well as bookstores and school supply stores, accept payment through QR. It’s also easier to split bills with your friends or groupmates. And of course, the most important tip: FOOD IS LIFE! There are many food stalls that are cheap but super filling. Find them and treasure them. – Vladia Disuanco, De La Salle University

Fill your college life with as many firsts as possible

Try something new every chance you get. Meet new people in places you wouldn’t normally visit, engage with someone who has a different perspective, and try to learn from them. Seek advice from your professors, plant a tree, participate in mobilizations, and ask someone you’re interested in out on a date. Do an improv, sign up for a dance class, and consider ditching a class to watch the sunrise or share a meal with friends. Fill your college experience with as many firsts as possible. College is all about side quests in hopes of discovering a bigger purpose. – Victoria Yuson, BA Sociology, University of the Philippines Los Baños

College is unpredictable – be prepared for anything

This doesn’t just apply to college but also to real life: make sure you’re prepared and always show up! This means staying on top of your acads or, in my case as a content creator, always being game to work with different people and brands. You never know where life can take you so it’s good to always be ready.

One life hack I also recently discovered and have been sharing with everyone is to get a GCash Visa Card. I know we can get so stressed when our money is in GCash and there’s no signal or your phone is at 1%. You can use the card like any debit or credit card, so no need for WiFi or even your phone. Talk about being prepared for anything! – Russco Jarvina, De La Salle University

With a verified GCash account, you can easily Send Money, Scan to Pay, Buy Load, and get access to student-friendly deals. Say “G!” for more college experiences and download the GCash app on the App Store and Google Play Store. 

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Editor's note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by The Philippine STAR in collaboration with brands like GCash.