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Smart habits every college student should learn before signing a contract

• Don't stop at the first search result: Before making financial decisions, experts say students should check reviews, recurring complaints, and company responses.

• Read the fine print: Review leases, bank accounts, and job offers carefully to spot hidden fees and potential .

• Pause before you commit: A few minutes of research can help students avoid , costly mistakes, and buyer's remorse.

For many incoming college students, back-to-school season is about more than buying dorm supplies and textbooks.

It is also the first time they may be making bigger real-world decisions on their own. Opening a bank account. Signing an apartment lease. Applying for a part-time job. Buying used furniture from a website they have never used before.

And increasingly, many students are making those decisions after a quick online search or an AI-generated summary. That can be a useful starting point. But it should be just that a place to start.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with online trust expert Taylor Cunningham, vice president of U.S. Marketing at Trustpilot, who said, AI search summaries and top search results are actually great for a quick overview and are a great starting point but they shouldnt be the end of the process.

Her advice comes as millions of students prepare for college life and the major financial choices that often come with it.

Why the first search result is not enough

Growing up in a digital age, students today are used to fast answers. That works fine when they are comparing dorm lamps or looking up a campus map. But it can be risky when they are choosing a bank, signing a lease, accepting a job offer, or hiring a service.

A top search result does not automatically mean a company has great customer service. An AI summary may leave out complaints about hidden fees, bad cancellation policies, slow refunds, or poor support.

Cunningham said students should treat search results as step one, not the final answer. To protect yourself, keep going past the initial AI snapshot, she said.

One smart move is to use AI for a second round of research. Instead of only asking for best student checking accounts or best moving companies near me, students can ask more specific questions like:

• What red flags come up in reviews for this company?

• What complaints do customers have about this bank?

• Are there common issues with hidden fees or cancellations?

That extra step can reveal problems that a polished company website may not mention.

Use reviews to spot patterns, not just ratings

One mistake students make is looking only at the star rating and ignoring the details within the reviews.

A company with a decent overall rating may still have repeated complaints about one specific issue. Maybe customers love the product but hate the return process. Maybe the bank has good app reviews but repeated complaints about account fees. Maybe the apartment complex looks nice online but has a pattern of maintenance problems.

Reviews are most useful when students look for patterns.

Before committing to a company, students should check third-party review sites and pay attention to both positive and negative feedback.

Cunningham specifically recommends looking at review recency, review variety, and the topics that keep showing up. A lack of recent reviews can be a warning sign. So can a page that has only glowing feedback and no critical reviews at all.

Students should also compare the four- and five-star reviews with the one- and two-star reviews. If the same complaints show up repeatedly, there is a good chance future customers may run into the same issue.

Watch how the company responds

Reviews do not just show what customers are currently saying. They also show how a business handles problems and that matters a lot.

For example, if a company ignores complaints, gives canned responses, or becomes defensive, students should definitely pay attention. A business that handles public complaints poorly may not be much better when a customer needs help privately.

On the other hand, a company that responds clearly, fixes issues, and explains next steps will almost always be easier to deal with if something goes wrong.

This is especially important for students dealing with housing, banking, travel, tutoring companies, online sellers, and job platforms.

Red flags before signing a lease

An apartment lease may be the first legal contract many students ever sign, even if its with a parent as a co-signer. That makes it one of the biggest opportunities for costly mistakes.

Before signing, students should read the full agreement and make sure they understand:

• The exact start and end date

• Monthly rent

• Security deposit rules

• Late fees

• Parking fees

• Utility responsibilities

• Maintenance procedures

• Guest policies

• Early termination rules

• Automatic renewal clauses

Students should also look for vague language around fees. Things like administrative fee, processing fee, convenience fee, and move-out fee can add up quickly.

Also, dont let anyone rush you into a decision. If a business tries to rush or pressure you into signing quickly, take it as a major warning sign, Cunningham said.

Parents can help by asking students to send over the lease before signing. Students can also use AI as a second set of eyes to scan for confusing terms.

Be careful with student bank accounts

Many students open their first checking or savings account during college. Banks are known to advertise student-friendly accounts, but be sure to pay attention to the fine print.

Before opening an account, students should check for:

• Monthly maintenance fees

• Minimum balance requirements

• Overdraft and ATM fees

• Direct deposit requirements

• Account closure fees

• Promotional terms that expire

If a bank advertises a sign-up bonus, students should make sure they understand exactly how to qualify and when the bonus will be paid.

You should also ask what happens after you are no longer a student. Its not uncommon for a free student account to convert into a paid account later.

Job offers need a scam check

College students looking for part-time work can be especially vulnerable to job .

Red flags include jobs that promise oddly high pay that doesnt match the workload, asking applicants to pay upfront for training, communicates only through text message, or tells you that youll get paid before any work is done.

Also, students should be careful with jobs that ask for personal information too early in the process. A legitimate employer may need your Social Security number after hiring, but be cautious if youre asked for sensitive information before an interview or formal offer.

Before accepting a job, the smart thing to do is look up the company, read reviews, check the official website, and confirm that the person contacting you actually works there and is who they say they are.

The parent pro tip: Teach the pause

Parents do not need to make every decision for their college student. In fact, its better if you dont, as it teaches some responsibility.

But parents can absolutely teach this simple rule: Always take the time to pause when money, contracts, or personal information is involved.

This means before signing, buying, applying, or sharing any sensitive details, students should ask themselves these questions:

• Who is behind this company?

• What do recent reviews say?

• Are there repeated complaints?

• What happens if I cancel?

• Are all promises written down?

• Am I being rushed?

That short pause to do a little research can protect your wallet and help you avoid , hidden fees, or purchases you'll later regret.

Large clinical trial finds targeted therapy helped patients live longer than chemotherapy

• An experimental targeted drug nearly doubled median survival for people with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer.

• The phase three clinical trial compared the daily pill with standard chemotherapy in nearly 500 patients worldwide.

• Researchers say the findings could lead to a new treatment option for patients with few effective alternatives.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat, especially after it has spread to other parts of the body and stopped responding to initial therapy. For many patients in that situation, treatment options are limited and survival has historically remained short.

Now, a large international clinical trial is offering new hope with an experimental targeted drug that significantly outperformed standard chemotherapy.

The medication, called daraxonrasib, works differently from traditional chemotherapy. Instead of attacking rapidly growing cells, it targets the RAS signaling pathway, which drives the growth of more than 90% of pancreatic cancers.

According to researchers, the study marks the first time a phase three trial has shown such a substantial survival benefit over chemotherapy for patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer.

For years weve made incremental gains in treating pancreatic cancer, researcher Dr. Zev Wainberg said in a news release.

Now, for the first time, we have demonstrated that targeted inhibition of RAS using an oral inhibitor is changing the landscape of this terrible disease. Seeing this magnitude of benefit in a randomized phase three study is very encouraging for all patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and is a paradigm shift in this deadly disease.

The study

The phase three trial enrolled 479 adults with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma whose cancer had continued growing after one previous course of chemotherapy.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a 300-milligram daily dose of daraxonrasib or one of several commonly used chemotherapy treatments selected by their physician.

Researchers followed patients to compare how long they lived overall, how long their cancer remained under control, how their tumors responded to treatment, and how the therapies affected quality of life.

They also monitored side effects throughout the study. Because the trial randomly assigned participants to one treatment or the other, researchers were able to directly compare outcomes between the two groups.

The results

The results were striking. Patients who received daraxonrasib had a median overall survival of 13.2 months, compared with 6.7 months for those treated with chemotherapy.

The drug also delayed disease progression for longer and produced higher tumor response rates.

Patients taking daraxonrasib generally maintained their quality of life for a longer period, although side effects were common. The most frequently reported side effects included rash, diarrhea, and nausea, while serious treatment-related side effects occurred less often than with chemotherapy.

For consumers, these findings represent an encouraging step forward rather than an immediate change in care. Daraxonrasib remains an experimental treatment, but the results suggest it could become a valuable option for patients whose metastatic pancreatic cancer has progressed after initial chemotherapy.

While additional regulatory review is still needed before the drug becomes widely available, the study offers new optimism for a disease that has long had few effective treatment options.

Were this drug to be approved by the FDA, it would mark a dramatic shift in how pancreatic cancer is treated, researcher Brian Wolpin said in a news release.

A new home insurance risk index reveals which U.S. counties face the biggest insurance challenges

• A new Insurify analysis found that Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina are home to many of the nation's least insurable counties, where homeowners face the highest insurance costs and risks.

• The rankings are based on factors including natural disaster risk, home age, property values, and local insurance premiums, all of which influence how expensive and difficult it is to insure a home.

• Experts say homeowners can help lower their insurance costs by weather-proofing their homes, shopping around for coverage regularly, and asking insurers about available discounts.

Home insurance has become more expensive and in some parts of the country, it's also becoming much harder to get.

As extreme weather events grow more frequent and costly, insurers are raising rates, limiting coverage, or pulling out of high-risk areas altogether. A new home insurance risk index from Insurify highlights the counties where homeowners are facing the greatest insurance burden, with many of the hardest-hit areas concentrated in Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

To better understand what's driving these trends and what they could mean for homeowners, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Insurify Senior Economic Analyst Matt Brannon about why some counties are becoming increasingly difficult to insure and how climate risk is reshaping the home insurance market.

Identifying risk

Insurify's Home Insurance Risk Index scored more than 3,100 U.S. counties based on factors that influence how difficult and expensive it is to insure a home.

First we look at natural-hazard and extreme-weather risk, Brannon said. Counties with more vulnerability to natural disasters (e.g., wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, hail, etc.) are more prone to frequent and costly insurance claims.

The second factor assessed is the age of a county's housing stock. Because of outdated building codes, worn-down materials, and a lack of regular upkeep, older properties are more susceptible to damage from severe weather. We also look at the number of residential structures in a county and the ratio of residential to commercial structures.

Additionally, we examine the countys median home value, as insurers generally charge higher premiums for more expensive homes, since they are more costly for the insurer to afford to replace. Finally, we incorporated average annual home insurance premiums by county, which capture risk factors that physical hazard models dont fully reflect. Factors like local litigation and claims environments, crime rates, rebuilding cost inflation, and insurance market dynamics all play a part in determining how risky it is to insure a home.

Which areas have the greatest risk?

Monroe County, Florida, home to the Florida Keys, ranked as the least insurable county in the country with a score of 99.5 out of 100. Homeowners there pay an average of $22,436 per year for insurance nearly eight times the national average.

Overall, 19 of the 20 least insurable counties are located along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, where hurricanes, storm surge, and high winds create significant risks. Jackson County, Oklahoma, was the only non-coastal county to make the top 20, largely because of its exposure to tornadoes and hail.

The report also found that Louisiana is home to three of the five least insurable counties, while California stands out on the West Coast because of wildfire risk, with Los Angeles and Santa Cruz counties both receiving scores above 95.

More broadly, the analysis found that densely-populated counties tend to have higher insurance risk scores than more rural areas, highlighting how a combination of climate threats, home values, and rebuilding costs is making insurance more expensive and in some cases, harder to obtain for millions of homeowners.

Can you lower your risk?

Because the highest risks are found in areas with extreme weather, Brannon recommends homeowners take the necessary precautions to weather-proof their homes as much as possible.

Upgrade to impact-rated windows and doors, install hurricane shutters, and consider a more wind-resistant roof, he suggested. While home hardening measures can be costly, several coastal states provide assistance programs. For example, Louisiana contains four of the nation's ten least insurable counties. Homeowners in these areas can apply for the Fortify Homes grant, which offers grants of up to $10,000 for roofing improvements.

Some insurers will even give discounts to homeowners who make these improvements. In Florida, state law requires insurers to give discounts to homeowners in risky areas who make certain weather-resistant improvements.

Do your homework

While homeowners living in these high-risk areas are likely to going to bear the brunt of higher insurance premiums, Brannon says that taking the time to do your homework and see what offers exist can potentially help you save.

The very best way to save money on home insurance is to compare rates, he said. Many people think insurance is a set it and forget it situation, but it shouldnt be. Rates can be volatile, and business strategies vary by insurer. So the company that gave you the best rate five years ago may not be the company offering the best rates for your property today.

We recommend reviewing every six months to make sure you have an affordable and adequate policy. You can also look into bundling coverage. Finally, ask your insurance agent about ways to save. They are the experts who are there to help you.

The states where driving is most frustrating, with California leading the way

• California ranks No. 1: Heavy traffic, long commutes, and poor roads make it America's most stressful state for drivers.

• Stress goes beyond traffic: Crashes, potholes, aggressive drivers, bad weather, and costly repairs all add to the daily commute.

• Drive smarter: Leave early, use navigation apps, keep up with maintenance, and consider a dash cam or adaptive cruise control.

If it feels like driving has become more stressful lately, you're not imagining it.

A new study from Nicolet Law ranked the states where driving is most stressful, looking at everything from traffic congestion and commute times to road conditions, crash rates, and even weather-related disruptions.

The results may not surprise many drivers. California topped the list as the most stressful state for motorists, followed by Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and New Jersey.

Researchers found that California roads carry nearly 20,000 vehicles per lane each day far more than most states. Drivers also contend with long commutes and some of the country's worst road conditions.

Mississippi ranked second, largely because it had the highest fatal crash rate in the nation. Texas came in third due to a combination of dangerous weather, heavy traffic, and above-average crash rates.

Meanwhile, New Jersey earned a spot in the top five thanks to the longest average commute times in the country, with many workers spending more than an hour each day traveling to and from work.

Why driving feels more stressful

Traffic is only part of the problem. Many drivers are dealing with the following factors that can make every trip more frustrating:

• Congested roads

• Aggressive driving

• Rising repair costs

• Potholes and poor pavement

• Longer commutes

• Weather-related delays

• Increased accident risks

Even short daily trips can feel slightly mentally draining when you repeatedly face crowded roads that are in poor condition.

And that is not to mention the possible financial impacts. Poor road conditions can contribute to tire damage, suspension repairs, wheel alignments, and other costly vehicle maintenance issues.

How drivers can reduce stress behind the wheel

While you can't eliminate traffic, there are several ways to make driving safer and less stressful.

• Give yourself extra time: One of the biggest causes of driving stress is feeling rushed. Leaving just 10 to 15 minutes earlier can reduce the temptation to speed, weave through traffic, or make risky decisions.

• Use navigation apps even on familiar routes: Apps like Google Maps and Waze can alert you to accidents, construction zones, road closures, and traffic backups and then reroute you to a faster way to get to where youre going.

• Watch for potholes after storms: Potholes tend to rear their ugly head after a big rain and youll inevitably hit one. When you do, be sure to pay attention to signs of damage such as your steering pulling to one side, any weird tire vibrations, or any new suspension noises. By catching problems early, you can often prevent more expensive repairs down the road.

• Take advantage of adaptive cruise control: If your vehicle has adaptive cruise control, consider using it during longer highway commutes. Many drivers find it reduces fatigue by helping maintain safe following distances by automatically braking and accelerating to keep you in the flow of traffic.

• Consider a dash cam: A dash cam won't reduce commute time, but it can provide valuable evidence if you're involved in a crash or insurance dispute. Many quality models now cost less than $100.

• Don't overlook vehicle maintenance: Stressful driving conditions become even worse when your vehicle isn't operating properly. Before summer road trips or long commutes, get in the habit of routinely checking tire pressure, windshield wipers, and fluid levels.

New research suggests bedtime smartphone habits could make overnight phone use more common

• A new study found teens who spent more time on their phones before bed were more likely to use them again later that night.

• Researchers tracked smartphone activity objectively using an app rather than relying on self-reported screen time.

• The findings suggest cutting back on phone use before bedtime may help reduce overnight screen time.

For many teenagers, checking a phone before bed is part of the nightly routine. Whether it's scrolling social media, watching videos, texting friends, or playing games, those last few minutes of screen time can easily stretch longer than expected.

Now, new research suggests that what happens before bedtime may influence what happens after falling asleep, too.

Researchers found that when teens used their smartphones more than usual during the hour before bed, they were more likely to pick up their phones again later that same night. The study adds to researchers' understanding of how nighttime smartphone habits may develop and why late-night phone use can become a recurring pattern.

On evenings when adolescents used their smartphone more before bed, they used it for a longer time later that night, potentially leading to later bedtimes and greater sleep disruption, lead author Gina Marie Mathew said in a news release.

Limiting smartphone use before bed may help reduce nighttime phone use and thereby improve sleep among teens.

The study

The study included 229 adolescents from across the United States who owned or primarily used their own smartphones.

Participants first completed surveys about their backgrounds and sleep schedules before installing an app called RealityMeter, which objectively tracked their smartphone activity over an average of nearly 17 days.

Rather than asking teens to estimate their screen time, the researchers measured actual phone use. They focused on the hour leading up to each participant's typical bedtime and categorized activity into total smartphone use, social media use, and non-social media activities, such as messaging, gaming, or streaming videos.

The researchers then compared that pre-bedtime activity with smartphone use later in the night. Overnight use was defined as activity between midnight and 5 a.m. on school nights and between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on non-school nights.

They specifically examined whether teens spent at least 30 minutes using their phones during those overnight hours.

What the findings could mean

The results showed a clear pattern.

On evenings when teens spent at least 30 minutes using their phones before bed, they were more likely to spend at least 30 minutes using their phones later that same night compared with evenings when they spent less time on their devices before bed. The association was observed for overall smartphone use and for non-social media activities, while social media use showed a similar trend.

According to the researchers, this pattern suggests that smartphone use before bedtime may make additional phone use overnight more likely, increasing the opportunity for later bedtimes and interrupted sleep.

While the study did not test whether reducing bedtime phone use directly improves sleep, the researchers say limiting smartphone use before bed could be a practical strategy for helping reduce overnight phone activity and supporting healthier sleep habits.

Using passively measured, objective smartphone data allowed us to examine these associations at the within-person, nightly level, providing a granular look at how pre-bedtime phone use relates to additional late-night use in adolescents daily lives, Mathew said.