uberino:

This is a sub division of the Usa visa enquires page directed to students already in the US.

The Saudi's, Indians, Chinese that are here in the states help out their fellow brothers and sisters from the same country that is why they continually grow.
In unity we STAND, Divided we FALL! Do what you can to help!

Please share your experiences on how you survive as a student here in the states:

-From buying groceries
-Paying rent
-Doing assignments/Research and thesis
-Reading plans
-Getting a phone line and cheaper plan
-Getting scholarships
-Graduate/resident assistantships
-Owing a used car (if necessary), Getting a bus pass
-Getting a licence
-Getting a State ID
-Making the right friends.
-Getting a job on campus/off campus
or anything you think might be of help to a newbie in the states.

Please allow others to give their opinions because costs vary in different states.

uberino:

Thanks, i am curious to know how you feed with 40bucks for 2weeks though.

imperiouxx:

That's the main point.

davidylan:

-Paying rent - I believe its better to get an apt outside campus. Especially for those who dont have family here, it means you have a place to live when school is out of session. You can either get a cheap studio or get a room mate to lower the burden of the cost. Always and i say ALWAYS get an apt with all utilities included in the rent for your first year until you know how water, gas, electric bills work. Especially in winter, your gas bill could be very high if you dont know how to be judicious with heating your apt.

-Doing assignments/Research and thesis - frankly this is on you. No one can tell you how to read.

-Reading plans - again if you need someone to tell you how to read then you should not be in school.

-Getting a phone line and cheaper plan - For your first year, get a prepaid phone. When you are sure you know how much you typically have in finances a month then you can go for a contract phone. Tmobile was cheaper for me when i first came. Verizon and AT&T are too expensive for students unless your papa hold pepper! If you have family here, ask them what provider they use and see if you can use the same - that way your frequent calls are free.
You do not need a smart phone as a student! Save your money! NEVER use your phone to call international - its very expensive so use phone cards (penny talk is a good one).

-Getting scholarships - You should arrange that BEFORE you start school so you are not left hanging with bills you did not anticipate
-Graduate/resident assistantships - As a grad student in the biological sciences, this is a given. I suggest you try PhD programs, its free for the bio sciences. your mentor's grant pays for this. Arranging assistantships with your dept should be easy.

-Owing a used car (if necessary), Getting a bus pass - Dont buy a car for your first yr or 2. the fees add up very quickly. Since you have never driven in the US before, your insurance will be high too, you also need time to get used to the traffic rules. you dont want to rack up traffic tickets so fast.  
If you must own a car, it will depend on how much money you have. If you know you can depend on a constant stream of financial support from your parents then buy a new car (keep your car note payments below $200/month if you can) - that way you can start building credit. If you dont have much then go for a used car - best bet is to get one from an auction direct if you can get a dealer to help you with that.

With regard to bus passes, i usually skip those as i cant guarantee i will use most of it anyway. Most schools should have free buses for students. find out.

-Getting a licence - bring your naija license with you to the DMV when you apply. That way you can avoid having to go through the annoying road testing to get a license in most states. NEVER EVER drive without a valid US license, at worst have your naija license with you and show this to the cop if you are stopped. find out if your state honors foreign licenses though.

-Getting a State ID - this should be the first thing you do! Just go to the DMV and give them the requested documents. U should be able to get a temporary one in a few hours.

-Making the right friends. - depends on you.

-Getting a job on campus/off campus - its not a good idea to depend on this for the bulk of your finances. to get a job you will need a valid SSN and can only work after your first yr for no more than 20hrs/week

uberino:



impeccable davidylan! Nice one thank you. More responses please,


@imperiouxx  call t-mobile on 877.822.7768 or use their live chat. I got mine from the t-mobile stall in a mall and they gave me my sim immediately.

deevick246:


@ Uberino,

Nice initiative you demonstrated by creating this new thread. I hope it serve its purpose though.

imperiouxx:


Yeah, I checked Walmart but I couldn't get it there only to be referred to t-mobile store or i finish with the online transaction.

cophild:

wow, this is a nice thread indeed, My people,my school has refused giving Us SSN o and dis makes life difficult cos there re alot of tins U cant do without it, I m seriously thinking of transfering abi hw una c am, As per d driving thing,re u guys saying dat i can use my naija licence, thanks

davidylan:

the rules changed a few yrs ago. You can only obtain an SSN from the social security office if you have a job, other than that you would be given an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number) just in case you have a grant or scholarship from your school that you must report on your taxes. Try and get on-campus jobs (the 20hrs/week thingy) after your first year then apply for the SSN again. You will have to manage without it for your first yr.

Man without an SSN you may as well live in Nigeria. You cant do jack.

gongo aso:

Excellent Thread!

Will be back in a bit.

Davidylan has said it all already.

uberino:

This is a sub division of the Usa visa enquires page directed to students already in the US.

The Saudi's, Indians, Chinese that are here in the states help out their fellow brothers and sisters from the same country that is why they continually grow.
In unity we STAND, Divided we FALL! Do what you can to help!

Please share your experiences on how you survive as a student here in the states:

-From buying groceries
-Paying rent
-Doing assignments/Research and thesis
-Reading plans
-Getting a phone line and cheaper plan
-Getting scholarships
-Graduate/resident assistantships
-Owing a used car (if necessary), Getting a bus pass
-Getting a licence
-Getting a State ID
-Making the right friends.
-Getting a job on campus/off campus
or anything you think might be of help to a newbie in the states.

Please allow others to give their opinions because costs vary in different states.

deevick246:

@ Davidylan,

I must really commend you for the great work you are doing here. I can say with confident that you are well grounded in matters regarding studentship and other related aspect in yankee.

I would like to ask you this few questions: what state in the US did u study and what state do u reside?

kemmeye:


true but even with a social security number you still cant work outside of school thats if you are on an f-1 visa so, its still the 20hr a week thingy

mcqt21:

mr davidlan giv me yur pin/contact o $ further info

davidylan:

-Paying rent - I believe its better to get an apt outside campus. Especially for those who dont have family here, it means you have a place to live when school is out of session. You can either get a cheap studio or get a room mate to lower the burden of the cost. Always and i say ALWAYS get an apt with all utilities included in the rent for your first year until you know how water, gas, electric bills work. Especially in winter, your gas bill could be very high if you dont know how to be judicious with heating your apt.

-Doing assignments/Research and thesis - frankly this is on you. No one can tell you how to read.

-Reading plans - again if you need someone to tell you how to read then you should not be in school.

-Getting a phone line and cheaper plan - For your first year, get a prepaid phone. When you are sure you know how much you typically have in finances a month then you can go for a contract phone. Tmobile was cheaper for me when i first came. Verizon and AT&T are too expensive for students unless your papa hold pepper! If you have family here, ask them what provider they use and see if you can use the same - that way your frequent calls are free.
You do not need a smart phone as a student! Save your money! NEVER use your phone to call international - its very expensive so use phone cards (penny talk is a good one).

-Getting scholarships - You should arrange that BEFORE you start school so you are not left hanging with bills you did not anticipate
-Graduate/resident assistantships - As a grad student in the biological sciences, this is a given. I suggest you try PhD programs, its free for the bio sciences. your mentor's grant pays for this. Arranging assistantships with your dept should be easy.

-Owing a used car (if necessary), Getting a bus pass - Dont buy a car for your first yr or 2. the fees add up very quickly. Since you have never driven in the US before, your insurance will be high too, you also need time to get used to the traffic rules. you dont want to rack up traffic tickets so fast.  
If you must own a car, it will depend on how much money you have. If you know you can depend on a constant stream of financial support from your parents then buy a new car (keep your car note payments below $200/month if you can) - that way you can start building credit. If you dont have much then go for a used car - best bet is to get one from an auction direct if you can get a dealer to help you with that.

With regard to bus passes, i usually skip those as i cant guarantee i will use most of it anyway. Most schools should have free buses for students. find out.

-Getting a licence - bring your naija license with you to the DMV when you apply. That way you can avoid having to go through the annoying road testing to get a license in most states. NEVER EVER drive without a valid US license, at worst have your naija license with you and show this to the cop if you are stopped. find out if your state honors foreign licenses though.

-Getting a State ID - this should be the first thing you do! Just go to the DMV and give them the requested documents. U should be able to get a temporary one in a few hours.

-Making the right friends. - depends on you.

-Getting a job on campus/off campus - its not a good idea to depend on this for the bulk of your finances. to get a job you will need a valid SSN and can only work after your first yr for no more than 20hrs/week