Voting
I can’t express how important voting is. Regardless of your political leanings, you should always exercise your right to vote. It’s the best way for you to produce change in our country. Don’t ignore the little elections either! Your local elections are where your vote carries the most weight. Make sure you’re registered to vote and figure out where your polling station is. If you can’t get off campus, you can mail in an absentee ballot. Also, you get a sticker!
Check-ups
When’s the last time you went to the doctor? How about the dentist? And, perhaps most importantly, the gynecologist? School and work and a social life are all super time consuming, but you can’t forget your health. Maybe when you went to school, your parents stopped making your appointments for you. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but you need to start making your own and stay up to date with your check-ups.
Credit
Honestly, you may not even have credit. It’s time to start thinking about it. Sign up for a credit card and use it for something you pay regularly, like gas or groceries. By keeping it a manageable amount, you can more easily pay it down on a schedule. You’ll be surprised how something so small could boost your credit. After school, you’ll thank yourself for thinking ahead.
Savings
How is your savings account looking? As soon as you graduate, it’s going to be a lot more important. Start beefing it up now. Allot a certain amount of each paycheck to go to your savings and don’t touch it. I usually do at least 40%. If you have your savings connected to your checking, you should change that. It allows you to think of your money all coming from the same pile. Instead, let your card be rejected if you don’t have enough in your checking account.
Networking
This one may sound weird, but take time to touch base with some of the connections in your life. Think about old bosses, teachers, or coaches that you’ve worked with in the past. Ask them how they’re doing and open up that channel for regular communication. These people can help you find jobs or write you letters of rec as you move forward in life.