Hidden Perks of Campus Living

Your school is likely filled with hidden treasures that you don’t even know exist. Some are included with room and board, while others are available to all students.

Check out these great campus-perks, and then find out if your school offers similar services. Take advantage while you can!

Enjoy a Free Massage

That’s right! No need to spend all your money on a massage when you can get one for free at school. Hunching over your desk, carrying bags full of books and losing sleep all contribute to students’ neck and back problems. Many campus health centers, such as the one at Syracuse University, offer free massages to ease the tension. Check with your campus clinic to see if massage therapy is offered.

Inquire About Legal Services

You're probably thinking you'll never need a lawyer, and hopefully you’re right. But just in case you find yourself caught with a fake ID or have an issue with your landlord, call your school’s legal services center. It’s their job to help you out of those sticky situations. It’s best to avoid any legal tangles, but help is just across the quad in the event that something happens.

Get a Lift

You've been told a million times: Don’t walk around campus alone at night -- and the person at the other end of your cell doesn’t count as protection. Nearly every school offers some form of transportation to get students to their homes, doctors’ offices or hospitals. Be smart and make good use of the free wheels.

Take a Hike!

School is supposed to be for learning, but every good student deserves a day trip once in a while! Check with your school’s recreation services office. Odds are they offer outdoor excursions to fun places. So take a break and go whitewater rafting or just camp out for the weekend. It beats studying!

Volunteer, Dear

Instead of watching countless hours of Jersey Shore during your downtime, lend a helping hand. Many schools, like Villanova University, offer volunteer placement within the community. Some even organize trips to devastated places such as New Orleans or Haiti. So get off the couch and visit the volunteer center. You no longer have an excuse.

Look Into Your Future

Your parents aren’t making it up -- the real world does exist. So instead of being a lifeguard for the rest of your life, check out your school’s career services center. Not only do they offer access to the contact information of all those successful alums, but they’ll also offer you the opportunity to do mock interviews that will help you to avoid flaking out when you meet prospective employers. Don’t be the oldest lifeguard at the pool: Schedule an appointment today.

Enroll in Money 101

Taxes. Loans. Insurance. 401(k). Do these words sound foreign to you? Then you might want to check out your school’s financial skills courses. At many schools, the financial aid office provides free money-management education to interested students. Plan ahead by attending a class like Cornell University’s CashCourse. Priceless!

Do Your Laundry

Your white sweater is now pink and five sizes too small after you put it in the washer. It happens, but you might want to check out your campus laundry services if it happens to you all the time. They’ll pick up your laundry at your door and return it clean, folded and packaged nicely. They may charge a small fee, but that sweater probably cost more.

Be a Top Chef

Ditch the Easy Mac and whip up some culinary skills. Practice makes perfect, so attend a free cooking class to better your cooking savvy and fill your stomach. After a few classes, you'll be the best cook on campus!

Visit Your Advisor

Many students don’t make optimal use of their faculty advisors, who can help them with everything from classes and extracurricular activities to landing a job or internship. Get to know your advisor and meet with him or her often for some invaluable guidance.

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