Being 18 sucks (according to the British Press)
There’s been a whole lot of news lately about the doom and gloom facing Fresher’s and their life beyond uni. How they will be racked by debt, unable to find employment and probably not going to get into the course they want in the first place. Don’t go reaching for the destruct button just yet though…
I’m 28, 10 whole years past those scary days as an 18 year old and I can remember these same stories being around then. If I remember rightly we were just coming out of a recession then, universities were (we were told) getting even harder to get into and we’d be billions of pounds in debt by the end of it (you exaggerated at 18).
Of course times have moved forward, things are different now and in some ways they are harder. On the other hand; there are so many courses that didn’t even exist 10 years ago, other options available to you all, studying abroad is much more accessible, gap years are cheaper, vocational courses and apprenticeships.
There are many more, cheaper and better accommodation solutions available. At DIGS we offer so much more than just a room and we can help you budget.
Budgeting; that’s the key term here. I remember being 18, the way I was with cash then makes my blood run cold!
Learning to live within your means is one of the greatest lessons to learn at university. Forget quantum physics, this one can be the hardest to grasp. First blush of freedom and so often the excitement of getting a loan or grant can just sometimes create a more frivolous person to what you might normally be!
Don’t shop in Waitrose, Marks & Spencer’s or the boutique deli near to your classes. Instead learn to pick up a bargain, scout the deals online before going food shopping and plan your week’s menu around what’s discounted that week. Don’t be lazy and get a bus for just two stops, take a stroll!
Remember to sign up to every single voucher code, discount alert blog and money saving advice site there is, and listen to them, read it, print the stuff off. If you don’t want to come away from uni in 3-4 years thinking “I wish I’d not been so thoughtless with my money” take action now.
Have you got an iPhone? If you have download “Voucher Cloud” http://www.vouchercloud.com/
Here’s another gem… http://www.myvouchercodes.co.uk/
Groupon is also brilliant, this link is for Sheffield but there’s plenty of others – http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/sheffield
The Government has set up an advice site; http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm
Here’s suggestions from Martin Lewis; http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/student-money-saving
And here’s one from “This is Money” ; http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/student-finance
Here’s 5 things that are great about being 18.
1. You probably want to be older than you are. This is one of the few times you will ever think this, treasure it.
2. You don’t have a mortgage or have to pay council tax. If I could go back to being 18 I’d spend more time gloating about this.
3. You’re young enough to change your mind as much as you want to.
4. People who are over 25 probably envy you.
5. That first year of being an adult is probably one of the most exciting times in your lives, take every opportunity that comes your way.
The DIGS Team