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Posted Aug. 18, 2014

Student Saving Tip: Be a 9-Month Student

The 3 month summer break can be a great time to relax after a stressful student period of study, but it can also pose some issues. Should you stay close to the university campus, or is it better to return home to your parents? If you do make the decision to return home, there are some practical decisions you can make to save some money and ensure your education does not get overly disrupted.
 

Choose Short-Term Let Accommodation fresh_student_living Accommodation can often be a major concern, with various cost and security implications. If all tenants are leaving for the summer, you may not feel comfortable leaving the property unattended. There is also an additional 3 months of rent to pay, with storage being the only real benefit you could get. In this case, try to get a short-term let for the 9 month period you will be present. Assuming there are many students in the local area, many landlords will already be willing to offer this in order to fill the property, and they may even advertise it as a benefit. Privately-managed student accommodation such as that provided by Fresh Student Living is a great option to consider if you want a more flexible tenancy. Also, as all bills are included if you choose this option you will always be aware of exactly how much you have to budget for.

Get a 9 Month Internet and Cable Deal Most internet providers will offer contracts of 12 months of more, to tie you into a long-term deal. This is another area of expense that it would be best to avoid. Thankfully, many companies are now offering 9 month deals for students with the same specifications they offer in their normal contracts. If you want to include cable TV, this is also on offer, which will only increase your savings over the additional 3 months. These deals are fairly commonplace nowadays, so try to shop around for the best deal before you purchase.

Take Advantage of a TV Licence Refund A TV Licence is another expense you will probably have to deal with, but there is a benefit for students going home for the summer. You can receive a refund for the 3 summer months, amounting to approximately £37, but you must sign up for the licence by early October at the latest. This allows for 3 clear months at the end of your annual period. Many students watch TV on a laptop, but as long as you are watching TV live you still require a licence, with a potential fine of £1000 if you are caught without one.

Keep Up With Summer Dissertation Work One possible issue you may face when leaving university for the summer, is a lack of resources to help you maintain your studies. Your university campus will probably have a great deal of resources, with a library being the most important. Outside of big cities, most local libraries will struggle to cover all your research needs and ordering books can be time-consuming. However, there are so many quality resources online that your work should really not suffer. Use Google Scholar to search for relevant resources and BiblioExpress to format your citations.

Enjoy the break Finally, try to enjoy your summer break and appreciate the time away from the campus environment. The student year can be a stressful time, with plenty of deadlines, late nights and hard work. Many students suffer with homesickness , causing them to enjoy their student experience far less than they would like. The summer break can be a real opportunity to recharge your batteries and prepare for the start of the new year. Don't slack of too much though, as it's a great opportunity to put in the work for the upcoming year.

If you follow these tips, you should save yourself some money and manage your time wisely. Managing time and expenses are some of the biggest problems students face, so by putting in place these ideas you can best prepare yourself for life as a 9-month student.

 

 

 

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