University of Galway student
Managing Your Money at University
When you think university, it can seem synonymous with expense. For most people, starting university is the first jump into independent living, so there will be some hurdles to cross. At the forefront of these anxieties is often money management. However, university does not have to be one big cost concern. I am in my fourth and final year at the University of Galway, and here are some recommendations I have picked up:
1. Cooking
Studies aside, you have to eat. Particularly if you are going to be staying in accommodation in the city, the most important thing I have trained myself into doing is a weekly grocery shop. Eating out or ordering takeaways every other day is going to take a much more sizeable chunk out of your funds than doing a grocery shop and having the ingredients to comprise multiple meals. Of course, with this comes the necessity to cook. Now, I am not saying that you better learn to become a connoisseur of culinary arts. I am by no means cooking myself three-course meals. The important thing is to have meals that you like and can make. For example, a stir fry is something substantial that I enjoy and can easily do. Pasta is a staple of my diet, though I will fry some chicken and vegetables with it for nutrition.
2. Eating on Campus
I also tend to cook more than is enough for one person, which at first was not intentional and may just be pre-conditioned coming from a family of nine, but still, it proves useful! You can save the leftovers for a lunch/dinner the next day. Some days I might get food from the campus café’s, other days I can bring a lunchbox and make use of the microwaves on campus. There is also a kitchen in the student hub you can avail of. Personally, I have used it for toasting bagels and watering pot noodles, though I am sure there is more creative things to be done! This is especially useful for commuting students who do not want to be buying food every day.
3. Working
An obvious one, I know. Many students will take up some part-time/weekend work to support their studies. Galway is especially good for this. Being a close-knit city, there is an abundance of student jobs that are never going to be too far away. Some of my friends work at home and will return every weekend, which may be a good money-saving method. I did this for one semester last year, though honestly the commuting put me off and I preferred to work in Galway, but to each their own! You could also join the University of Galway’s Student Ambassador programme. The benefits of this are that it is a flexible, paid part-time position. You can choose to assist in as much or as little as you need, and work around your own timetable.
4. Supports
There is also a vast array of financial supports available. If you are eligible, SUSI is the first one to apply for, so that it is in place once your studies commence. This is the national student grant scheme paid monthly that I myself receive. The University’s Financial Aid Fund also provides assistance through the means tested fund and emergency hardship fund, amongst others. With this one, you do not need to apply until you are enrolled. People who can and will support you financially, let them! I once thought that university should be something I get myself through, which was silly really, because there is no shame in being supported by the people that want to see you succeed!
This is not a comprehensive list but hopefully even a little helpful for anyone that finds the prospect of university financially daunting. There are supports for those who need them, and ways of working and adapting to a routine that will come naturally to you quicker than you think
