Intern Insights: Life Hacks for College Life

Welcome back to Intern Insights! As I head into my final semester of college, I’ve been reflecting on everything I’ve had to learn over the past few years, especially living on my own. I wish I had a list of life hacks for college life, so I'm sure these will help you on your first journey to life on your own.

Everyone gives you the same basic advice: go to class, don’t be late, buy your books. But no one prepares you for the living part of college: doing laundry, cooking for yourself, and keeping your space somewhat livable.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned the hard way that will make your life so much easier as you head into the fall semester. I call them Life Hacks for College Life.

It’s way too easy to leave dirty dishes for “later.” Spoiler: later never comes. Cleaning up after yourself (and yes, your roommates too) prevents smells, bugs, and awkward passive-aggressive arguments. Don’t forget about those five-day-old leftovers, either. A vacuum, some Clorox wipes, and Febreze go a long way.

We think you'll also like this Intern Insight about Must-Have College Items!

Don’t blow your summer job money! Track your rent, groceries, subscriptions, and fun money. Whether you use an app or a simple spreadsheet, budgeting helps you stay in control and avoid unnecessary stress.

Don’t go shopping hungry and without a plan. Map out a few simple meals, grab some essentials, and then get your snacks. It saves money and keeps your fridge organized.

Roommates can be awesome or a nightmare. Set expectations early. Talk about guests, chores, shared items, and boundaries. One honest conversation now will save you tons of tension later.

Don’t wait until you’re out of socks to do laundry. Pick a laundry day and stick to it. And yes, separate your whites from your darks—your favorite hoodie will thank you.

In addition to these life hacks for college life, we also did a full rundown on what foods should and shouldn’t go in the fridge. There are some good lessons here ...