I would add to this list:
* learn to cook for yourself. Not just frozen food. $50 on groceries can go a long way once you’ve figure out what you enjoy cooking and eating
* stay active. There should be a gym on campus. Use it, set some personal goals and track YOUR improvement, don’t compare yourself to others. Also, play a sport that you like (ex. soccer, basketball) it’s a good way to meet people outside your studies.
* keep yourself and your house clean. It will make for a distraction free environment and will help you stay organized.
* limit your alcohol intake. Don’t drink to excess or just because. It’s common for students to abuse alcohol and it can get in the way of your progress.
* set a bedtime. Develop good sleeping habits. Don’t stay up late watching tv. Put yourself to bed and let your body rest. Staying up late for assignments is also bad.
I guess overall I would say try to learn how to live in a way that helps you achieve your goals easier and sets up your day in the best way possible. Make good habits, be consistent and after a while it won’t be as effortful. But remind yourself what you are doing and why and refrain from backsliding.
* Cooking for yourself can be vastly cheaper since there will be steep discounts on food that is about to hit its sell-by date: this food is still usually good for a couple of days. This isn't something you see in every country.
* Gym facilities are really good even in US unis that are only top 50. Like exceptionally good. Squat racks, benches, lots of weights, indoor tracks, sports courts, cheap or free rental equipment. Uni healthcare is also pretty decent unlike general US healthcare.
* The US definitely has a binge drinking problem that is worse than any other country. Participating in many social events will require partaking but if you're smart you can ration the alcohol and still get almost all the social benefit. You definitely don't want to attempt to keep up with the Americans. They are very friendly and will offer you lots but if you've always got a non-empty cup you'll be okay
I would beg to differ. Sure, the average standard of living and "lifestyle" in the US is above many countries, but to say that everyone is wealthy is a flat out lie.
Ask me how I know.
If so, that would, mathematically, also include a minimum of about 75% of the US population, and that assumes the entire global top 1% is American, which it isn’t.
The poorest Americans are definitely much poorer than the poorest western europeans [1]. Western Europe has 196 million people (about 2.4% of the world population) [2].
I'd estimate that 10% of the world population (790 million people) has a comfortable modern middle class life. It's just an intuition. Northen Europe as 106 million people.
[1] https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/western-europ....
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* Get a local bank account. Turn off the thing called 'overdraft protection'. It's a loan mechanism.
* Find the other foreign students in your class. They'll know where to pirate all the textbooks. Never pay for a US textbook. Extortionary and when you get your degree no one knows you used pirate texts.
* Choose a smart major. In the US, people will tell you to learn history and shit like that. Waste of money. In fact, in the US, beware of people who try to sell you a "mission" rather than pursuit of a good life. The US allows rapid individual growth. Mission easy to pursue afterwards.
* Do not work. Your F-1 will permit you to under some circumstances. If possible, the only work you should do should be TA/RA stuff or related to your major. Do not work otherwise. It will take away from studying.
* Get a cheap bicycle / skateboard. Cheapest form of transport. US transit is very bad. Even in most unis. Do not buy expensive bike + expensive lock. Get cheap used bike and cheap lock. Skateboard is better since you can carry it with you.
* Find all college events that involve recruiting, symposiums, etc. Attend all for food.
* Get cheapest mobile plan possible. Many MVNOs available. Get cheapest phone. Used preferable.
* Get internships if possible. Permissible on your F-1 / J-1. Very good experience. Live experience >>> in-school learning.
* Americans are almost universally wealthy. Beware of imitating them if you are not. It is possible to be social without keeping up with the joneses.
* Do not self-isolate. Social interaction is the biggest advantage of US college apart from the high quality education. Especially interact with Americans. They will likely spend the rest of their lives in America.