Thrifty Business: how to get the most out of Freshers' Week for less

Illustration by Jennifer Oguguo

Worried about that tight student budget? Emily Schone is here to help you navigate Freshers’ Week in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

There’s no getting around it. London is expensive. Really, really expensive. You’ve probably heard – and internally winced at – stories of your North-bound friends eagerly anticipating one-pound pints, whilst you, destined for the capital, steel yourself for eye-watering entry ticket costs and a loan that only just covers your extortionate rent. There’s truth to these claims, too. The University of Manchester’s website outlines the cost of undergraduate living for the academic year as £9,580; the University of Birmingham estimates £8,820; the University of Liverpool suggests anywhere between £8,500 and £10,500. In comparison, UCL’s website approximates a neat £15,503 for the same period. There is, however, still hope for those of us attending university in London. The following features a combination of handy tips, tricks, and typical financial pitfalls to avoid during Freshers’ Week, to make sure you get the most out of your experience without breaking the bank.

PRICEY PITFALLS TO AVOID

Wristbands, events and club nights: If you’re currently stressing over whether to buy the sixty-pound band of fabric that Facebook claims is the most crucial investment you will make in your adult life, fear not. It’s not necessary. Of course, if you know you love going out and want your Freshers’ experience to be a strictly nocturnal one, then perhaps purchasing a wristband makes more sense in the long run. However, if you’re unsure, there is little point forking out for a package that applies only to one-off events. These predetermined plans could well clash with a different event you and your future flatmates fancy, or you could just decide on the day it’s not for you. Either way, it’s a costly risk, especially if you’re watching your spending. It might be better to wait until you’ve moved into halls and met some course mates. That way, you can find out what it is they’re thinking of attending, and plan to go together – chances are, paying for a couple of really great events with friends will be cheaper than paying for entry to clubs that charge ten pounds for a vodka coke.

The lethal appeal of the student loan: There are few feelings quite like seeing your bank account go from meagre to four-figure overnight. Unfortunately, that heady rush isn’t always helpful when it comes to managing money – the reality is, for most people, a good chunk of your maintenance loan will be going somewhere towards paying for accommodation, food, travel, or all of the above. Tearing through your bank balance before term starts is one of the most common mistakes made, and one that can have serious financial repercussions later down the line. One way to get around this is to set some of your loan aside for Fresher’s Week – enough to fund events, drinks, takeaways and spontaneous coffee mornings – and don’t touch the rest until it’s over. That way, you can ensure you won’t be buying rounds in September only to be living off stale bread and wilted spinach come March.

Societies, societies, societies: Societies are a great way to meet new people with similar (and sometimes very, very niche) interests – the more the merrier, right? Not always. The cost of memberships can add up fast, particularly when it comes to sports that require regular use of specialised equipment. Don’t feel pressured to sign up there and then during the Freshers’ Fair, when everything seems tempting and you suddenly decide that you’ve always wanted to learn how to ride a horse. Instead, maybe jot down the societies that stood out to you; take leaflets, get information, and do a little research when you’re next at home. The UCL Union website has a full directory including membership costs, and most societies have Facebook pages that detail their M.O.s and any taster sessions (free!) coming up that week. Don’t be afraid to try things out! Who knows, maybe UCL Swimming Club floats your boat after all – or maybe Tea Society will be just your cup of Darjeeling.

Illustration by Jennifer Oguguo

TIPS AND TRICKS

Get your 16-25 railcard synced with your Oyster card: If you have a 16-25 railcard (free with Santander student bank accounts), bring it along with your Oyster to a tube station and ask at the information desk if you can link the two. It takes a couple of minutes, and once it’s done, you get 1/3 off the cost of off-peak travel on Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail services.

For the tech-savvy – apps make a difference: There’s an abundance of free apps available to help cut expensive corners. Too Good To Go is a firm favourite – it uses your location to find nearby cafes and restaurants that are selling any remaining fresh food for a fraction of their normal price. Those of you with O2 contracts are also in luck; downloading their priority app will bag you a free Nero’s coffee once a week, plus discounts at lots of popular chain restaurants. UniDays is also great for discounts, especially when it comes to online shopping.

Shop smart with yellow stickers: There’s a distinct lack of cheap supermarkets in central London (with some exceptions: Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons can be found in Camden). Save money by shifting your weekly shop to the end of the day, as supermarkets will slash prices with yellow stickers on foods nearing expiry dates.

Get on the hype with the reusable coffee cup: Hear me out. By bringing a reusable cup to most cafes, you’ll be able to save yourself up to 50p on your (necessary) morning coffee. Very, very useful when deadlines are looming and you’re running on a scientifically questionable number of hours’ sleep.

Cash vs card: Obviously carrying wads of cash on your person isn’t the best idea in the capital city. However, having some notes in your purse or wallet is really helpful when it comes to keeping tabs on how much you’re spending. From personal experience, it’s all too easy to tap your card and go, only to suffer a hefty blow later in the week thanks to those accumulating pending payments. Sometimes old is gold after all.

All this said, at the end of the day, you’re only a fresher once. Enjoy yourself! Chances are, you’ll settle into the swing of university life and naturally spend less. Make the most of your newfound freedom and all the opportunities that come your way – if you can save a few pounds here and there your future self will thank you, but a steep bill after a barely-memorable session at Loop won’t kill you (this time). Promise.