Beyond the 12 credit hours of lectures and labs, your tuition has paid for you to enjoy many other perks. Here are just a few of the benefits your tuition probably already paid for, whether you chose to take advantage of them or not.
1. A gym membership – if your school has a sports team, they have a fitness center or gym. The small town gym I worked for one summer was charging almost $40 a month for a single gym membership. Great equipment and free fitness classes could be just a stroll away from your dorm room.
2. Free or Reduced Price Home Game Tickets – The stipulations on this one vary by school. Some schools offer a few free tickets a year while others greatly reduce the price and offer students pre-box office deals. I have seen people pay over $100 for a college ball game ticket, so don’t let this deal get away from you. You could use the tickets for yourself or give them as a gift to a family member or friend.
3. Cultural experiences – If your school has an Art Department you are in luck. There is always an exhibit on display somewhere on campus for free. These experiences can range from watching a play to listening to a symphony to strolling through a mixed-media exhibit.
4.Security detail – Your tuition pays for a security force to be on call 24-7. Campus police are available for anything from walking you to your dorm to investigating that ding in your door. So, if you suspect anything (or even feel a little on edge) don’t hesitate to call for backup.
5. Emotional Counseling– Stressing over finals? Break up with the love of your life? Check out your Psychology Department — there is usually a professor or graduate students who would love to council you through your problems. Whether or not this is the case, every school does have someone to help guide you through the hard times.
6. Religious advice – Many schools have a Chaplin; some schools have an entire religion department. In either case there are people available to speak to about your problems who may share your religious views. For some people this is more comfortable than speaking to a psychologist.
From having a good time to talking about the bad times, your college tuition pays for a lot more than stuffy lecture halls. So get out there and take advantage of all the things you already paid for.