Money stresses causing long term effects

(Youtube)

Originally aimed at American students, you will find that much of what they feel is a problem is the same in the UK.

Clothes shopping is an expensive hobby

Topshop's new Spring Summer collection
out now.

AFTER a first year student shared her shopping experiences, I thought it was time to delve deep and see what bargains are out there for us students.

It's obvious that girls like to look good. The influence of the media reinforce an image that many girls aspire to look like. Although many pictures featured in magazines are air-brushed, there is nothing wrong with following the trend which is usually advertised through the cat-walks and the fashion industry.

Debt, a familiar word to all students.

WE ALL know that by coming to university, we are generating a serious amount of debt for ourselves. It seems before we even begin a career, we've been pushed down the ladder when it comes to money. University is a place for people to expand their options and think seriously about what it is they are going to do with their lives. Unfortunately it comes at a price.

These people decide whether you are legible for financial help.

Not only this but when applying for loans, bursaries and grants on 'Student Finance' it can appear that those from a wealthier background receive less help. Of course, this is entirely fair. Those from deprived backgrounds receive as much help as they can because their family is in no financial state to do so. But just because someone's parents are rich, doesn't necessarily mean to say that their child is going to benefit from this.

Lazy Students? It isn't as easy as it looks.

THE ANSWER to being skint is to obviously get yourself out there and find a job. But the truth be told, its so much harder than it seems.

Harder than expected...

Parents, the elderly, or members of the general public would happily voice their opinion on the life of a student. Stereotypically, students are lazy 'bums'. Even on Facebook, a group has been created called:

'University is like being on the doll, but your parents are still proud of you.'

Rented accommodation is freedom at a price.

YEAR ONE is nearly over, it seems as soon as we started, the rumours emerged that houses were being snapped up quickly and that if we didn't start looking, we'd be living in a cave with a hole in the ground for a toilet.

By December 2010, the majority of students had their eye on a house or had reserved a house for the next academic year. It comes at a price however.

Ollie Judge, a student at Canterbury Christ Church says: "I paid £150 administration fee and £325 rent in advance, times are hard."

Ollie is living in a six bedroom house and pays for his use of broadband, Sky, water, electricity, gas, and general household appliances. 

Book worm your way to a cheaper education.

THE MAJORITY of university courses require you to buy books for self-studying. Going to well known bookshops can give you a peace of mind when buying books, you know it'll be clean, brand new, etc. But for that, you're probably paying a bit much.

It seems that now, Amazon is the place to buy second hand books, nine times out of ten, they are in pretty good condition and for a fraction of the price. As a student myself, I've bought two books from here, second hand, and I can tell you, they don't look like they've been used at all. 

For example; I bought a 'Teeline Wordlist' also referred to as a shorthand dictionary, for £4. In Waterstones, Ottakers or the university bookshop I would be looking at £18. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out the difference.

It also seems that you buy a book, thinking it'll last you for the rest of the academic year, this isn't always the case. You could pay out a hefty sum for a term, once that term's over, lecturers or tutors may require another. An idea, would be to keep your books in the best condition, and flog them when you KNOW you'll actually never need them again.

Going home can leave a hole in your back pocket.

The 'trainline.com' logo

A LARGE majority of students live away from home. It's the backbone of the experience as far as many are concerned. However, when it comes to lengthy vacations such as Christmas or Easter, most go home for a bit of free food and TLC.

Whether you go to university in London, Edinburgh or Cardiff, it's going to cost you to get home.