Student Special: Balancing education, socialising and making money in college

When you’re in college it can be hard to balance education, socialising, making money and keeping your sanity. We’ve all been in a situation where we barely have enough money to get by, which can make the college experience pretty stressful.

No Money, Mo Problems

Making smarter decisions with your money will not only save your pockets but make good habits for the future. It’s probably not a good idea to buy €5 cups of coffee everyday if you can barely afford your bus fare. For nights out, pre-drinking will become your best friend. Drink prices in Dublin are astronomical and can be fatal to your bank account.

Another solution is cheaper, sober socialising. There is actually plenty to do around Dublin for students that doesn’t break the bank. Be on the lookout for student run events during the week. This is a great way to keep socialising cheap and give yourself the weekend to make some money.

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin

Living at home, although it can definitely help save money, comes with its own set of problems. In college you are trying to become your own person and begin living an independent adult life. This can prove to be quite difficult under your parents’ roof, but with the sky-rocketing student accommodation prices, a lot of us don’t have a choice.

This is where setting respectful boundaries is really important. Of course, you have to respect your parents’ space, but at the same time they have to respect yours. If you are in a position where you get to live at home while in college count your lucky stars. Doing your own laundry is really hard when you’re juggling all of the things that come with being a student.

Hot date

Dating in college can cause its own problems without the added pressure of living with your parents. I think, as embarrassing as it can be, being honest about dating is really important. If you’re dating casually it is definitely best that your loved ones know where you are. I know that this comes with awkward questions and conversations but better safe than sorry! Always remember that you never fully know someone.

Dating apps are great, but it’s really easy to get a false idea about someone and judge them prematurely based on what they have told you. People are going to put their best foot forward on dating apps so it is important to be cautious. That being said, you’re young and in your dating prime so do not let anyone tell you who or how to date. Keep it fun, there’s no pressure to meet your life-long partner on Hinge.

Workin’ hard or hardly workin’

Sometimes studying can become an afterthought as you navigate your way through college life. Then as midterms and finals creep up, you’re very abruptly reminded that college isn’t actually about socialising, shocker!

Ali Toohey. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Here’s some tips and tricks I’ve picked up on my college journey...

Find what works for you. This is different for everyone, but it’s really important to understand how to get the most out of the time you spend studying and to avoid getting distracted. I know for myself the pressure of studying in front of people makes me concentrate more, so a busy library is where I tend to work best. For many, this is a nightmare and you might prefer studying alone in your room. I know if I leave myself to my own devices (literally), I will just end up getting distracted on my phone.

Take breaks but also keep yourself accountable. I know the student bar is close, but so are your midterm exams, so put the head down. Maybe a nice cup of tea after a couple of productive hours of study is deserved though.

This is easier said than done, but do the work as you receive it, not as it’s due. The due date is not the do date. I know life gets in the way (Coppers mid-week free entry) and you can always do it tomorrow, but we both know you won’t. You’ll keep putting off till the day before it’s due. So save yourself the stress and get it done, then you can celebrate. Leaving things to the last minute is so tempting, but can make a huge mess when everything is due in the same week, and all you’ve done this semester is drink pints and sleep through lectures.

Nobody is going to be on your back about work being due. It really is up to you what you get out of lectures, either do the work or don’t. You’re the one that pays for it (repeats are really expensive).

Studying as you go seems like such a hassle, but I promise you’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to read three months’ worth of lecture notes in one night. As much as you think you can cram a whole semester of knowledge into one evening in the library, you can’t.

Reward yourself! Within reason. Just because you scraped a pass in your last exam doesn’t mean you can start slacking. I know it’s draining but future you, that is stressed about your next exam, will thank you if you stay on the ball. That being said, college is hard, you have a lot on your plate. Treat yourself. Take a bath. Go for a pint.

Finally, don’t use AI to write your whole essay. I know you think you’re smart enough not to get caught, but you’ll find you will honestly feel better submitting work you actually wrote.

Read the full Student Special Part 2 in the current issue of Hot Press, out now: