Going to college incurs a lot of expenses that aren't listed on a tuition or room & board bill. Are you planning for all the day-to-day costs of college life?

One of the many mysteries of college, especially freshman year, is what being there is actually going to cost. Sure, you know there’s tuition. But how much will you or, if you're a parent of someone going to college, your child need to make it through the first semester? The first year?

Here’s what to plan for first: the start-up costs of being a college student.

Typical start-up costs include a lot of different things, but a good place to start is school supplies—consider the following:

• Laptop or tablet
• Textbooks
• Class, lab, and studio fees
• General school supplies like notebooks and pencils.

Consider these purchases if you're moving into a dorm or apartment for the first time:

• Bedding and towels
• Furniture such as a desk, bed, dresser, couch, or dining room table
• Dishes, cutlery, pots, and pans
• Small appliances like a blender or toaster
• Groceries

You may have some things already, like a laptop or bedding. This can reduce the cost of pre-school shopping. It’s always great to avoid buying something that you’ll only need for a year or two. To help make the initial cost a little easier, it's wise to focus on the essentials first and then build up to the "nice to have" items as you go. That way you'll have enough to get started but won't be stuck with the bill for everything at once.

Heads up: You might be amazed at how fast cash can disappear if you’ve never lived on your own before. The sheer amount of things that you're suddenly responsible to pay for can be overwhelming. Making a budget will help you spend money mindfully. Consider starting to budget by splitting your funds into three sections: needs, wants, and savings.

A need includes the everyday or vital things that you need to survive like food, utilities, toiletries, and laundry.

Your wants are the other things that can make your college life fun but can be cut in a pinch. Things like event tickets, eating out, and other entertainment options often fall in this category.

Finally, savings. It's wise to dedicate part of your budget to an emergency fund and long-term savings every month.

Being aware of what you're doing with your money can encourage you to save and help you get what you want out of the money you have available.

Colleges often give new roommates each other’s contact information before school starts. If you have the chance, be in touch and figure out how you can share expenses—and avoid duplicating efforts. That can help you avoid ending up with two mini-fridges and no coffee maker.