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That first year of college is difficult, both emotionally and financially. College is a time when kids learn both from mistakes and accomplishments.

Take for instance my own initiation into “man’s financial inhumanity to man.” My very first roommate ran off with three months rent, half my Salvation Army-salvaged clothes, and our new kitten. (She would have recycled my boyfriend but he politely declined.)

It was a lousy way to learn, but from then on I always asked for receipts and references.

Here are 11 lessons that should help you avoid learning the hard way.

1. Dining Hall Vs. In-Room Dining

Most institutions of higher learning require freshmen live in dorms, but they don’t have to eat all meals in the dining hall. Ditch the expensive 3-meal-a-day plans and opt instead for a small refrigerator and microwave in your dorm room. Rather than add more trash to the ecosystem, recycle old appliances by checking out Craigslist or Freecycle.com. (You could also outfit the rest of your dorm with furniture, bedding and decorations from these websites.)

2. Don’t Dump The Diet

You may be away from your parents’ watchful eyes, but your body will know if you start stuffing it with nothing but pizza. It’s a myth you have to spend a fortune to eat right. There are plenty of grocery coupons for healthy foods that will make your mom proud.

3. Forget Fine Dining (or Fast Food)

Food seems to be something of a theme here, as it is with students, but let’s talk about eating out before we move on. My co-worker saved an average of $50 per month by not eating out. That includes everything from pizza to dinner at the beer joint. If you really hanker after a meal away from the dorm, take advantage of a two-for-one coupon and ask a friend.

4. Hunt Down and Trap Financial Aid

Don’t stop looking for more financial aid just because you’ve started college. There are plenty more tuition and fees in your future, so keep hunting. There’s no need to go it alone, but don’t start with the Financial Aid office. They’re the accounting end of the transaction and aren’t interested in hooking you up with any advice.

Start with your student adviser. If he or she is useless (and some are), ask to switch advisers to a professor with whom you’ve made an in-class connection. Most schools have a scholarship and grant office dedicated to helping students. If you’re an open-option student with an undeclared major, there should be a central student advisory office on campus. Hunt down the best adviser in that office and stick like glue to them. They’ll help you ferret out the money.

5. Discount Gift Cards Aren’t Just For Gifts

Did you know you don’t have to pay face value for gift cards? If you’re shopping online, you don’t need the actual gift card. Just plug in the gift-card code when you reach the merchant’s check-out page. Discount gift cards also work great for making sure your kid sticks to their budget. Just purchase gift cards to your favorite grocery store, gas station, or book store to ensure you know where your money is being spent.

6. Work It Out

Avoid the temptation of overloading your class schedule or you’ll have no time for work…or play. With any luck, you can combine the two. I worked at the college newspaper and had a blast while honing my craft. A friend works at a local eco-thrift store, which has the extra benefit of keeping him supplied with everything he needs except groceries.

Sure there are plenty of crappy jobs, as well, but they’ll ensure you graduate with less of a debt and help pay for those extras that keep you sane, like an occasional movie or road trip.

On-campus work study jobs also are great, if you qualify financially. Just make sure you begin to apply in March or April for the following September as these positions go fast.

7. Ditch the Campus Bookstore

Upperclassmen should be required to teach Textbook Buying 101 to incoming freshmen. There are just too many better ways to buy textbooks than getting soaked at the campus bookstore. For more details, check out Your Complete Guide to Cheap College Textbooks.

8. Buy Supplies During Sales Tax Relief Holidays

One weekend a year, usually in early August, many states offer a sales-tax holiday, during which consumers can buy a wide variety of back-to-school supplies without paying any or little sales tax. The definition of “supplies” varies, ranging from pencils and backpacks to clothing and computers.

9. Coupons Are EVERYWHERE!

Local businesses are trying to buy your loyalty in the first few weeks of school so you’ll find truckloads of coupons all over campus. Look next to newspaper racks, in the newspapers and magazines, on counters, in dorms and every other nook and cranny. Ask your resident assistant if they have any coupon books or giveaways for local shops.

10. Don’t Get a Pet

Lonely students often find solace in pets, only to discover four-legged friends are expensive. Sadly, living in a college town, I’ve seen far too many abandoned dogs and cats wandering the streets after the students leave town in the spring. Dorms don’t accept pets and next year you’ll find your rental choices severely curtailed by Rex. Let’s not even talk about the massive security deposit landlords like to charge pet owners.

11. Take Advantage of Campus Freebies

Free! One of the loveliest words in the English language. And it’s so eco-friendly.

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