Top tips on food, money and health for students, by students

by Georgia Olley and Ellie Falloon

It’s the week after Freshers. You are aware of the dent in your bank account. Now you are panicking over how on earth you will survive until Christmas. Well look no further, here are top tips for students living on a budget.

Establish your income.

As a student, you are entitled to a maintenance loan. This mainly funds your accommodation costs and any leftovers can be put towards food, nights out, entertainment etc. A handy way to stay on top of your spending’s, is learning to budget. A practical and portable solution is to download an app like Yolt- The Smart Money Manager to keep up to date with your weekly outgoings. This allows all your spending to live in one place.

Swap takeaways for supermarket deals.

Now that Mum is not around to stock the fridge and cook the dinners, it is your responsibility to buy your own food keeping the cost down as much as possible. No, that does not mean a diet of Pot Noodles and baked beans. Avoid corner shops for your weekly stock-up. They are way more expensive than big supermarkets and will give you much less choice. Morrisons are famous for their deals, allowing you to get 2 for 1 on fruit and veg. That way you’re not only saving money, but also helping your body combat freshers flu with a mum-approved diet.

Have your ‘you-time’.

Living away from home can be stressful. So, make sure you take some time to yourself. This can be crucial with keeping your health on track and maintaining an organised lifestyle. Try to find your own way to switch off and relax. Remember, you can say no to a night out. University can be intense and busy so nights in won’t cause any harm.

Exercise is a good way to de-stress. Even if you’re not sporty, walking to your lectures instead of getting the bus is still effective and can help to clear your mind.

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Starting life at University: Top tips for staying afloat

by Zachary Broad, Jamelia Brown and Helena Carnell

Feeling lonely, homesick or even depressed? Such feelings would be normal for an adult entering a new workplace and home let alone a student. Therefore, we have compiled some of the best tips from leading student counsellors from around the country to help you get through the first year of University.

Meditation

Good for relieving stress and focusing on your own thoughts, meditating is a tried and true practical approach to tackling mental health. Whether it’s a light stretch in the morning or a sit down before bed, you will soon see yourself feeling better and brighter.

Pictures of home and family

Silly as it may seem, yes even something as simple as a framed photo of your family on your desk can make a big difference when feeling homesick or lonely. After all, who doesn’t want to see their siblings staring at them in the morning?

Communication

Once again a seemingly simple prospect but one that is extremely helpful. Communication can be anything from a phone call home to utilising your university’s mental health resources. As always, talking it out is better than keeping it in.

Exercise

Similar to meditation but even more rewarding, exercising can help reduce stress and increase confidence. Signing up for your often discounted University gym and going at least twice a week can help keep you fit, happy and healthy.

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Q&A: How I spend £11 a week on shopping

Student loan running low? Fancy a challenge? We spoke to journalism student Jasmine Carey about how she managed to buy a week’s worth of groceries for under £11.

Q. What made you choose to shop on a budget?

A. Well, I figured that if I spent less money on food then I would be able to have more disposable cash for luxuries such as holidays away — every student’s dream!’

Q. What was your action plan?

A. As they say in the adverts, ‘Lidl on quality, Lidl on price’. I thought that if I went in looking for the cheapest prices and not the desired brands I would instantly save cash.

Q. Were there any challenges in your shop?

A. It was difficult avoiding some of my favourite brands and sticking to Lidl’s own. But with my holidays in mind, I knew it was worth it.

Jasmine’s Shopping List:

Pasta x2

Ham

Pesto

Microwavable rice

Frozen broccoli

Frozen jacket potatoes

Frozen Chicken steaks

Cheese

Bread

Cereal bars

Custard creams

Orange Juice