Student life is one with many freedoms, but sometimes the funds are not there to actually act on these freedoms and you are left with some unrealistic targets to achieve on the budget. The most important factor for a student is to have space where you can dive into the never-ending readings, fine-tune group assignments and plan for the semester ahead. If you are lacking a decent study space, today we are going to highlight how you can do it on a budget.
Cheap printer cartridges
Whether you are printing at home or at university, it is essential that you are using cheap printer cartridges as your cartridge expense can quickly amount to a big investment. Generic printer cartridges might not be the best option when you are printing a work of art or a detailed brochure, but this is an affordable option if you want to print some content that doesn’t need to look 100% perfect and is for your eyes only. In fact, students can also get away with printing only in black and white rather than colour, and choose a printer model that is modest in size and function so that you are not spending more than you need to be.
Public over private
If you don’t have much to work with at home when it comes to designing a study space, then a public place might be a better, more reliable option. Many are quick to sign up to coworking spaces, but you can actually get access to the same resources at your local public library. You will have little control over who is there and the noise levels, but if you are armed with some great headphones – you have a free study space available to your needs without having to transform part of your home. If you choose a public library that is halfway between your home and library, you will really benefit from that accessibility.
Home amenities
Coffee is the unofficial study aid of any student, but the time it takes to go out and get a barista-made coffee can really stack up and eat into your study schedule – not to mention the money you spend! Don’t worry, we are not going to recommend you quit cold turkey, as coffee is a productivity source. If you are setting up a study space at home, consider buying a cheap coffee plunger, kettle or coffee pod machine close on-hand so that you can enjoy those creature comforts but don’t have to spend time and money that is going against your study and budget goals. A small price to pay, and one that will make a huge impact.
Renting where possible
Universities are built to cater to the many varied needs of every single student, although many of us don’t research the options out there. Rather than buying your textbooks, look into your course schedule to predict when you will need those books most and rent them from the library. There are also platforms that facilitate textbook swaps, so be sure to check if they are offering one of your textbooks at a heavily reduced rate. You will also find that laptops and tablets are also available to be rented at the library, which can save you a significant amount that you can allocate to other areas of your study journey or home life.
Designing and sticking to a budget is never too much fun, but it will enable you to navigate your studies with a better handle on your budget and make decisions that are going to benefit you today and tomorrow. Plan the perfect study space that works for you, and never stop looking for ways to cut costs without impeding on your study efforts.