If you're worried about money, you aren't alone. A recent study by Mind Over Money in collaboration with Capital One found that 77 percent of Americans feel anxious about their financial situation. With inflation and the rising cost of living, you may be part of that group. Here are a few tips to make your paycheck work harder for you.
 
Review Your Spending

After an endless stream of classes, projects, presentations, and tests, graduation is finally here. While this important milestone may seem like the light at the end of the tunnel, the inevitable question is: "What’s next?" Once upon a time, the standard answer revolved around employment. But according to research done by Forage, nearly half of college students are not confident or only somewhat confident that they know how to get a job. That’s true of high school students as well.

At some point, most of us have asked, “Is this really what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?” or “Is there something else out there for me?” These types of questions are common. In fact, according to a recent release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals may change jobs up to eight times between the ages of 18 and 30. If you’ve thought about changing careers but aren’t sure if it’s the right move, here are a few things to consider.
 
Figure Out What You Want

Life as a student is busy. You’re so focused on your classes and upcoming tests, projects, and assignments you may think there’s no room in your schedule for hobbies. A recent Gallup survey found that hobbies are growing in importance for Americans, so don’t just cast them aside. Instead, look for ways to incorporate your hobbies into your schedule — you'll thank yourself for it. 
 
Brain Break

Getting to a place where you stand out among your peers can be challenging. With remote and hybrid work environments, unstable industries, and more generations in the workforce than ever, employers aren’t always able to focus on the value individual team members bring. Instead of hoping that your manager recognizes your value, take steps to show them. Here are some ways to highlight your value to your manager and organization.
 
Do (Good) Work

You’ve spent years in the classroom, and now it’s time to showcase all that you’ve learned. Regardless of where you are in your academic career, an up-to-date resume is a valuable asset. An academic resume is a helpful reference when it comes time to fill out your college applications, and it may be required when applying for opportunities, such as internships. A resume that highlights your experiences inside and outside the classroom can help you stand out from the crowd. Here are a few ways to round out your academic resume.
 

“Managing up” has long been a part of the vernacular in the professional world, but what is it exactly? Depending on whom you ask, the definition may vary. Some believe managing up is when employees create positive and meaningful relationships with their direct managers and upper-level management. Others say it’s just about making your boss’s job easier. Ultimately, managing up involves learning how best to communicate with your manager and fulfill deliverables. If done well, managing up can have many positive results. Here’s why.
 

Social media can be a great way to stay connected to family and friends, get updates on what’s going on in the world, and explore new opportunities. Unfortunately, there’s a downside to social media. It can impact your mental health and simply take up more of your time than you intend. Here are a few ways to get the most out of social media while managing your overall intake.
 
Identify What You Want to Change

Communication skills is at the top of the list of what hiring managers are looking for. And with good reason. Strong communication is how we show attention, inspire change, and get things done. It's what allows relationships to develop smoothly. It's how we show attention, inspire change, and get things done. In the workplace, an effective communicator motivates a team and promotes productivity. How you communicate contributes to your own success, and ultimately to that of your organization. 

Your college applications are submitted and decisions are coming in. Now it’s time to figure out how to pay for your college education. It’s no secret that college costs are high, but there are ways to reduce your bottom line. Here are some important steps to finding funds for college.