move to uni on Saturday

ryan92

I move to my unviersity Campus on Saturday, and I am so worried.
I'm also worrying about how I'll cope financially

Lokolo

Don't go spending your first loan installment on an xbox + games and you'll be fine.

System

First of all congrats on going to uni! Secondly assuming you get a student loan, after you've taken off accomodation/etc how much is left? Use this as a rough weekly budget.

The next thing to consider is would you be able to fit any part time work in around your studies? Places like shops and bars are usually on the look out for students round about now, and a lot of xmas temp jobs will be hiring now.

Things like food can be expensive if you buy anything but if you sit down and plan your meals you can save money by only buying what you need. Pasta is student essential! If there's any books you need for your course have a look on amazon/ebay first as opposed to buying them brand new (you'd be surprised how much you can save).

And try not to go too crazy during freshers week. I've known people who've blown a hefty proportion on their loan during those 2 weeks alone! If you are going out take out the money you'd need (and a bit extra for emergency) and leave your cash card at home so you don't get the temptation to spend it.

Hope some of that might help!Best of luck

ryan92

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

First of all congrats on going to uni! Secondly assuming you get a student loan, after you've taken off accomodation/etc how much is left? Use this as a rough weekly budget.

The next thing to consider is would you be able to fit any part time work in around your studies? Places like shops and bars are usually on the look out for students round about now, and a lot of xmas temp jobs will be hiring now.

Things like food can be expensive if you buy anything but if you sit down and plan your meals you can save money by only buying what you need. Pasta is student essential! If there's any books you need for your course have a look on amazon/ebay first as opposed to buying them brand new (you'd be surprised how much you can save).

And try not to go too crazy during freshers week. I've known people who've blown a hefty proportion on their loan during those 2 weeks alone! If you are going out take out the money you'd need (and a bit extra for emergency) and leave your cash card at home so you don't get the temptation to spend it.

Hope some of that might help!Best of luck

Thanks very much for that.... I'm not a heavy drinker, so don't and wouldnt be going too crazy during freshers week, and I am always rather conscious of how much money I have, and how I need it e.t.c

Thanks so much for the advice, its very helpful!

budget_babe

Hi Ryan,

I just wanted to say congratulations on getting into university and good luck with your studies. My son went away to uni and loved it (well apart from his final year, and all the work he had ).

He made some great friends, came out with a good degree and works in London now. His degree is in IT. It was by far the best thing he has done.

I missed him as he is my only son but he enjoyed his time at uni so much and that in itself helped me to let go . I think the main thing is to settle down at first, my Ds did not come home for 2 months but the ones that seemed to go home visiting every week did not stick at it. So I would say stay and make friends and then come back and see your Dear Old Mum

I hope you will enjoy your uni days as much as my Ds has, just make sure you make time for studying and for socialising too. Oh and don't forget to attend the lectures. I don't usually post on many threads but I just wanted to wish you well sweetheart.

Btw what uni/course will you be doing?

Again all the best and take care, my Ds could have studied and stayed at home, by far the best thing he did was go away to uni. It gave him his independence and he met some wonderful people. Though on the first day we took him down he too was apprehensive. (It is only natural and I am sure you will be fine).

Well done again and Good Luck.
Hugs Budgie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

nervousftb_3

best advice i can give is to make a weekly budget, draw that amount out of the bank every week, then never take your cash card out anywhere with you! that way you are forced to stick to your budget. it is what i did and i got by ok!

also, as a student you will find you get pretty obsessed by food (or the lack of it!) and a lot of money can easily be frittered away by just popping into the shops on your way home to 'get something nice for tea'! try and avoid this by doing one weekly shop, planning your meals (not always possible with a busy social life but worth trying!) and then don't let yourself buy any more food in between.

most of all, just try and relax and enjoy yourself, and you'll have a great time! (remember everyone is as skint as you are so you can all pull together to have cheap nights in, find free things to do for entertainment etc!)

whitewing

ryan,

It's an adventure; most people will be worried. You will meet lots of people initially, but it can take a month or two before you find friends you want to stick with.

I agree with sticking around for the first few weeks. It is the weekends that can seem long and lonely to start but they're the best for finding others in the same situation. If you are really homesick see if your family can pop up to see you. That way you're still around and about for others.

Don't worry too much about finances initially as long as you don't go mad. If mum and dad are approachable then it would be well worth running thro finances on an as and when basis with them. Just to get you used to thinking about it all. And they can help you make your own decisions about jobs etc. (My parents weren't any good at this sort of thing).

Also, there will be lots going on and a lot of shared knowledge re finances as long as you are relatively choosy. It's only the people who don't think things thro who really get into trouble.

Best of luck.

whitewing

I wonder how it's going.......

Lokolo

Most probably still in bed....

oooo I miss first few weeks, freshers flu is the best.

adidas

My advice is to get a part-time job in your first year. You'll find most students go out in the week and people tend to go home on the weekends or not go out because it's expensive. You'll have much less work during this time so you can give up your job in future years if it becomes too much.

Otherwise, do not buy any books until you arrive and buy only basics like duvet and pillows before you arrive. You'll have a better idea of what you need when you get there and if you share a kitchen you'll probably find you have an abundance of kitchen utensils and plates to share. And of course, if all else fails, there are always 9p noodles from Asda!

eldar_2

Best advise is not to go to crazzy on the spending and get a part time job at least 1-2 per week. Simple or thats what i did.