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here are many important lifestyle routines that Indonesians students studying abroad can make a habit to improve their college experience, apart from obvious ones like avoiding procrastination on assignments and regularly studying for exams.

The following is a list of 10 tips for those of you who plan on getting an American education. While this is focused on the US, students heading to other nations can also take what they need from my recommendations.

They might seem trivial at first glance. But when applied together and consistently, they could save you a lot of long-term problems and money.

Max out that (student ID) card!

Being a student in America means that you have the opportunity of gaining access to a wide range of services and privileges, most of which require that you only show your student ID card. These include free bus and museum passes, and book and movie-ticket discounts.

Clip a few coupons, save hundreds of dollars

Junk mail gets a bad rap. We often forget, though, that these piles of garbage often contain nuggets of gold in the form of coupons (especially true for Indonesians who have not grown up with the coupon system). These can help you save a lot of money in the long run, through free products, shopping rebates, big discounts and other services.

Avoid college dorms and roommates like the plague

College dorms, aside from being expensive, are often very noisy. Try to find a room off campus with older, non-college-student neighbors. It could mean the difference between several years of peace and shut-eye, or one of constant night-time interruptions from next-door videogame parties or loud couples making you-know-what noises.

Keep up with the times

Have a physical copy of public transportation maps and timetables with you at all times. You do not want to make the mistake of wasting an extra hour waiting for a bus or train that you missed by two or three minutes. You also do not want to get lost or make a wrong, premature or late stop.

Craig Newmark is your best friend

You won't believe how helpful Craigslist, America's top classified ads website, can be. It offers just about anything you want or need. Personally speaking, I found and buy a used car there in excellent shape for US$3,000, whereas it could have cost me $12,000 at an official used-car dealer.

Crisis lockers

If your room and board is far away from campus, you will need to rent a college locker for storing umbrellas, spare clothes or other emergency necessities. Also, you won't have to lug a heavy textbook (or many of them) around all day.

Scan dailies to plan

Pay attention to local daily newspapers for advertisements to free or cheap local cultural events, like concerts, plays and festivals. They can also be useful if you need something to do on weekends or other free days.

Build up an international network

Studying in America means that you get the chance to meet people from all around the globe. The country is, after all, the world's cultural salad bowl. The more diverse your friends are, the more opportunities you may get for the future.

Know thy interlibrary loan system

Textbooks can be incredibly expensive. Thankfully, college libraries usually have copies of older editions of the books you need. If need be, you can use your university's interlibrary loan system to get one mailed to you free of charge.

Writing centers are grade boosters

Most universities offer free writing center services for help in writing college papers. Visit them often! Aside from grammar assistance for non-native speakers, they're also useful for those of you who have a hard time remembering style guidelines of formats like APA, MLA or CSE. Getting these minute points right can mean a letter grade.

 + Prasiddha Gustanto