Making and saving money

Keeping your cashflow in check is one of the many challenges you'll face at university or college.

It can be a dilemma: you want to stay solvent but you don't want to compromise your studies by working day and night. There are a few ways you can stay in the black while you get the qualifications you need.

Jobs at university

Many universities have a career centre where you can look for jobs. The good thing about getting a job through your university is that the university usually vets employers so you are likely to get fairer pay conditions and they'll be positions that would suit a student's schedule.

The types of jobs available vary, but many will be within the services or entertainment industries. One night you could be waiting tables at an event, the next you could be cleaning. The jobs may sound menial, but everybody has to start somewhere, and you can still get a good understanding of how a business works.

There could also be the chance to work at the university in an admin role or as somebody who looks after university accommodation. Working at college doesn't have to mean you spend your time flipping burgers, there are lots of other things you could do.

Part-time jobs

There are many opportunities to find work to help supplement your cash. Asking around local businesses can be a good way of finding out what's available.

You could also try and get administration roles based in the industry that interests you. Want to work in sales? Why not see if a local company has an opening where you could go in and do some work experience perhaps one day a week. If you show some enterprise, you'll be surprised at what you might find.

Even something like working at a local supermarket or deli can teach you about customer service, marketing, stock control and people skills.

Teach others

Got a skill that you can share? Why not earn some money passing your knowledge on to others? Maybe you're a  dancer, or a mathematical or linguistic whizz? Why not make your services available by advertising in the student press or noticeboards.

Work like this will look great on your resumé and is also a way of earning money while doing something you like. When doing this kind of work, remember to stay safe and check out any potential clients thoroughly before agreeing to work for them.

Study materials

On arrival at university you'll be probably be presented with a long reading list. You're likely to feel very enthusiastic and so want to rush out and buy all your core texts straight away, but you should hold off: it can be an expensive business.

Library: Your university is likely to have a stock of the essential textbooks for each programme. Of course, you'll be battling it out with your fellow students for the prized texts, so don't expect the books you want to be there when you need them all the time.

Secondhand: All those students who rushed out last year to buy the entire reading list will now be wanting to get rid of them. Many universities organise book fairs for that purpose. Alternatively, check out noticeboards on campus for former first-timers looking to offload their textbooks. Make sure that you're buying the right editions, however: textbooks are notorious for being tweaked very couple of years.

Online: Another great way of sourcing the books and journals is to look online on auction sites like eBay or Amazon. There are plenty of bargains to be had.

University life

Special offers: Many stores and restaurants offer special incentives for students. Price reductions, 2 for 1 deals and free gifts all help to make your student money go further.

Student world: If you stick to areas where students are more prevalent, you're likely to find that socialising is a lot less expensive. Avoid the big chains and keep it local. Not only are you helping your local economy, you're also saving yourself some serious cash.

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