It’s no secret that your university years are unlikely to be the wealthiest of your life. It’s tough to juggle work and full time studies, and not everyone gets substantial grants to help them along the way, so for many students, getting by financially can be a struggle. However, if you learn how to budget well and watch the way you spend your cash, surviving as a student can be easier than you think. Use these tips to help you minimise the financial stress while you’re studying.

1. Sort your financing out early. To avoid a hectic financial meltdown or the possibility of having to work a full-time job just to fund your course fees, make sure you work out how you’re going to fund your studies well in advance. Source out the best private student loans before you begin university and you’ll have your funding sorted for your entire course, so at least that stress is behind you and you can focus on enjoying uni.

2. Get the right bank account. Some banks offer specific student accounts that have particular perks and benefits, as well as overdrafts designed to help you through any financial difficulties you might have while you study. Shop around to find the best banking options and read all of the fine print so you don’t lose cash through unexpected fees.

3. Leave your car at home. If you’re studying in an area with a decent public transport system or will be living close to the university buildings, there’s probably no need to bring a car along with you. Leave your car at home or at least leave it parked most of the time to avoid spending a fortune on unnecessary petrol costs. Ride a bike or take a bus instead – you’ll be doing your bit for the environment while saving some cash.

4. Learn to cook. Too many students arrive at university with no clue how to boil an egg. That’s okay – you can quickly figure out the basics without needing to become a gourmet chef. Ordering takeaway meals and buying food out adds up quicker than you’d think, so learn how to cook cheap and easy meals from home.

5. Know your discounts. Plenty of shops and online retailers offer special student discounts. Do your research and use your student card to get money off wherever possible; you could save a fortune on books, clothes, and all sorts of purchases that you may accidentally be paying full price for.

6. Look at your phone bill. Are you paying too much for what you get? Do some comparison searches and find out if there’s a better deal out there that’ll get you more data, more minutes, and more of what you need at a lower price. Try the same strategy for your internet provider – there are often bargains around if you take the time to compare before you sign any contracts.

7. Avoid buying books. Many courses require plenty of reading, but it’s usually unnecessary to go out and pay big bucks for a brand new book. Check out the university library first to see if you can borrow what you need for free, and if you really need it in the long-term, shop online for a good second-hand copy.