Studies are a troublesome affair because they require your undivided physical and mental presence. Whether you are attending lectures in class, jotting down notes, or conducting self-study sessions, you must invest yourself wholly to ensure a good grade. However, the story does not end here. A student’s tale is even more horrific than this. It also expects you to invest financially to complete a credible degree and score a good academic reputation.
Getting admission to prestigious colleges is difficult,, and so is being able to afford them since each college year or semester can cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars. The positive side of it is the many scholarships on offer for students dedicated to achieving good education and making out big in the world. Unfortunately, even then, a college student always suffers from a tight budget and insufficient finances. Many students have no option but to sign up for student loans.
Whether you are short on finances during your college life or are entrusting your parents’ bank accounts to meet your needs, one thing is certain: managing your finances wisely from the start is good practice and a healthy premonition for your financial health ahead.
Here are a few tips you can follow to cut down on your expenses while in college and ease the pressure on your wallet.
1. Exchange Books
Every year you have a new academic curriculum,, and buying a new set of books every year is a big expenditure for a student. However, you can successfully cut down this expense if you engage in a course exchange. You can ask your seniors to lend you books they no longer need,, which are part of your current syllabus.
In return, you could pass on your unrequired books to your juniors to continue the chain. If you just want to widen your research base, you could easily borrow books from your local library or school library. The expense of buying one book can easily outstrip the subscription charge for a library.
2. Take Advantage of the School’s Meal Plan
Most colleges offer daily meals upon a minimum subscription charge. This charge is adjusted to your school fees. If you are living away from home at the college dorm, or you have subscribed for the meal plan, you can cut down on your daily food expenses by avoiding dining out at cafes and eating in the school cafeteria only.
3. Brew Your Own Tea or Coffee
Studying for consecutive hours often leaves you with a headache. You need a dose of caffeine to keep yourself going and to keep your head clear. If you are a tea or coffee addict, ensure you brew your own hot beverage because, even though the coffee or tea at your in-house cafeteria may seem cheap, the bill can easily add up over a month and a year.
After all, why spend senselessly when you can save your dollars and use them to pay off parts of your student loan?