As well as the late nights, later mornings and the free pass to do (almost) everything, university has plenty of potential pitfalls for freshers.
Most people of university age haven't worked for a long enough time to have significant savings they can live on while they study. It's especially important now to figure out which bank you want to open a student bank account with, as you will likely stay with them for a long time.
You're a student, so you're poor: The two go hand-in-hand. We are worried about you. So we've put together the 10 best money-saving tips for students.
Freshers' week is, no doubt, already an event in your diary that you don't want to miss. It's a time of fun, frivolity, frolics; however, it is also a time of organisation, observation and order. Here are 17 things to remember to make your freshers' week fun and productive...
Whilst the government, banks, companies and most consumers are cutting back on borrowing, over half a million students are heading off to university this year with the prospect of taking on an average debt of £53,000.
Chances are the biggest problem you will encounter when you start university will be a bout of Fresher’s flu and an inability to find your lecture theatre. But if something more serious does happen, these websites exist to help you.
The cold welcome of a bare room in halls is sure to put even the most confident undergrad on edge. But with a little inspiration, it won’t be long before your future home no longer resembles a cell-block, honest!
You aren't tied to your mum's apron strings any more, and much as you want to, you won't be able to afford to buy takeaways all the time. You're going to have to cook. Here's how.
11 amazing student money saving tips
26 July 2013 04:12 PM
Uni is more expensive than ever right now, so here's our guide for cash-conscious students
“I don’t have time to work and study” is a feeble excuse
26 July 2013 10:37 AM
If you're constantly tired of being that poor student, maybe it's time you got a job?
Want to get into the creative industries? Watch this space
25 July 2013 03:27 PM
Helping young people into the creative industries, Camden Collective is an initiative giving graduates a free launchpad
Are universities doing enough to include mature students?
25 July 2013 10:20 AM
UK campuses are doing more than ever before to accommodate ethnic minority and LGBT students - but how much support is there for mature students?
Graduate blues: Why we need to talk about post-university depression
24 July 2013 10:50 AM
We all know that students can suffer from mental ill-health at university - but what about post-graduation depression? Clare Dyckhoff investigates
I faked a student pregnancy, and I was horrified by the reaction
23 July 2013 11:47 AM
With the birth of the royal baby, the world has gone pregnancy mad. But as Ellie House found, pregnant students do not experience nearly so much goodwill
What have I been doing with the first 20 years of my life?
16 July 2013 11:26 AM
There's only one thing more terrifying than a high achiever, says Chad Greggor; a high achiever who's still a teenager...
Coming to a screen near you: New talent
12 July 2013 05:41 PM
It's never been easier to make a film of your own. But what's the best way to get it seen?
Are payday loans for students bleeding us dry?
11 July 2013 10:58 AM
The National Union of Students has called on UK universities and colleges to ban adverts for payday loans, as three institutions forbid payday lenders from advertising on campus. Hannah Al-Othman investigates the impact of high street and internet lenders on students.
Why aren't there more women in science - and how can we change that?
08 July 2013 03:38 PM
Last Friday, 12 female scientists gathered on London's South Bank to celebrate women in science. Rose Troup Buchanan went along to talk genomes, nanotechnology and dead scientists
Freedom. Now what?
08 July 2013 11:02 AM
After three years of blissful existence at university, Lauren Cope can't quite get her head around the real world
In defence of the ideal university: The battle for Cooper Union
05 July 2013 10:29 AM
Cooper Union in the USA was founded to offer 'education equal to the best' while staying 'open and free to all' - but this ideal is under threat from new management. This is the story of the students' battle to keep their institution true to itself
In pictures: Cheap summer holidays for students
02 July 2013 03:00 PM
Even though it's already July, don't panic! There are still dozens of great places to flee to this summer
Do sports societies at university need to be more inclusive?
01 July 2013 11:19 AM
Sports societies have a reputation for being debauched - and maybe a little prejudicial. Can they change?
Wot I learned at university
26 June 2013 10:10 AM
Graduation is a time for introspective leavers to take stock of all they've learned from their time at university. For James Ashford, it didn't take all that long
-
1
Is the Muslim call to prayer really such a menace?
-
2
Channel 4 to 'provoke' viewers who associate Islam with terrorism with live call to prayer during Ramadan
-
3
US army doctor returns arm to Vietnamese soldier fifty years after he took it as a souvenir
-
4
Police seize possessions of rough sleepers in crackdown on homelessness
-
5
Demand for food banks has nothing to do with benefits squeeze, says Work minister Lord Freud
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Win a three-night weekend break for two in Stockholm
Hesperus Press are offering the chance to win a three-night weekend away for two to Stockholm.
Summer food reader survey
Take our grocery shopping survey for your chance to win a £100 M&S store gift card.
See Norway’s spectacular coastline
There is no finer way to discover and explore the dramatic Norwegian coastline than aboard an authentic Hurtigruten cruise.
Where's Wallonia?
War and peace: history revisited in the cities of Southern Belgium - a travel guide in association with the Belgian Tourist Office.
Win first-class inter-rail passes
Win first-class rail passes to explore the sights and sounds of Europe with redspottedhanky.com.
Celebrate the joy of reading with NOOK®
You can buy a NOOK Simple Touch Glowlight at £69, or the NOOK HD 8GB Tablet for just £99 - until 3 September.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Travel Shop See all offers »
Europe’s finest river cruises
Four nights from £669pp, seven nights from £999pp or 13 nights from £2,199pp Find out more
Four nights from £669pp, seven nights from £999pp or 13 nights from £2,199pp Find out more
