How to Make the Most of Your College’s Free Resources – Part 1
While college campuses are full of resources that can save you money, boost your academic success, and open doors for you professionally, you might be barely scratching the surface of how they can help you. Here’s Part 1 of PowHERful’s Guide to how to make the most of these free resources.
1 » Start with Academic Help (It’s Usually Free and Unlimited)
Most colleges offer:
• Tutoring centers (writing, math, STEM, languages)
• Supplemental instruction or peer-led review sessions
• Library research consultations
• Faculty office hours
How to maximize it:
• Book tutoring early in the semester, not just before exams.
• Bring drafts of essays to writing centers—they’ll help you elevate them.
• Ask librarians for help with research—they can find sources you didn’t know existed.
• Treat office hours as mini-mentorship meetings.
2 » Career Services: The Most Underused Powerhouse
Your tuition already pays for:
• Resume and cover-letter reviews
• LinkedIn and career-planning help
• Mock interviews
• Internship/job search guidance
• Alumni networking databases
• Dress-for-success closets for interviews
How to maximize it:
• Visit career services every semester, even as a freshman.
• Use their job boards religiously—most opportunities never make it to the public.
• Join the school’s LinkedIn alumni network and reach out for informational interviews.
3 » Mental Health & Wellness Services
Most colleges now offer:
• Free counseling sessions
• Support groups
• Crisis lines
• Wellness workshops (sleep, stress, time-management)
• On-campus fitness centers and classes
How to maximize it:
• Don’t wait for burnout—schedule support early.
• Use the gym, yoga classes, or intramurals to stay balanced.
• If counseling sessions are limited, ask about sliding-scale off-campus referrals.
MORE TIPS to come in December