7 Tips For Lowering the Cost of Your Education
University is not cheap. While we do have the benefit of being able to defer payments thanks to HECS and government support, we do still have a lingering student debt hanging over us here in Australia. Thankfully, the prices of university here are nothing like what they are in America, but they certainly aren’t government funded and virtually free like they are in Norway, either. So we’re in the middle – but the costs of being a student aren’t low even with a deferred payment, what with buying textbooks, paying rent and spending money on groceries. So if there’s a way to cut costs as a student we’re all for it! This is a short and hopefully helpful guide on how you can lower the cost of your education.
Get textbooks online
One of the biggest costs for students comes in the form of textbooks. If you are browsing the on-campus textbooks department and wondering if they accept deferred payments, then we advise you to jump online and head to a specialist textbook store where there are cheaper books and excellent savings. Even if you save $50 here and there, that makes a huge difference if that’s a night out or your next grocery bill.
Make a budget
Budgets are great for students because if you don’t have one you’ll find yourself making very good friends with Mi Goreng. Not that there’s any problem with Mi Goreng, of course (so many students would not be here today were it not for the cheapness of these noodles) but it’s prudent to eat a balanced diet that doesn’t consist entirely of MSG. To that end, make a budget and stick to it. Make sure you are making the time to budget and meal plan every week and then go through with your meal planning.
Move into a sharehouse
Worried about being able to afford rent? A sharehouse may be just the thing you need. You may even find a great share house with like minded uni students such as yourself, and find that you make friends for life! Search online or look at Facebook groups for share houses that are available before the school semester starts – that way you’ll be all settled in by the time semester begins.
Go to cheap nights and student nights
The world is a harsh place for a student – unless of course you’re aware of all of the exceptional student nights around. Get the lowdown on where to go for cheap food, drinks, trivia and events and take full advantage of being able to drink and eat for cheaper – just by showing your student ID.
Plan for events
If you know that something is coming up – say a birthday or a party that you want to go to, make sure you budget for this and set aside enough money to enjoy it properly. Be strict with yourself knowing that you’ll feel serious FOMO if you can’t attend.
Don’t shop hungry
While this should go without saying, do not – EVER – shop hungry. This is how you end up with a basket full of Tim Tams and Doritos and basically nothing of nutritional value. Your body craves fats, salts and sugars when it’s hungry – so make sure you have a sandwich or something before you even think about setting foot in your local supermarket.
Do university experiments
Want some extra cash? Your university is bound to have a department of PhD scholars who want to do experiments on you, and who will pay you for the privilege. Often it’s a small amount or a gift card but hey – every little bit helps.
All the best with your university studies – and remember, every little bit counts
