By Chisom (Undergraduate Content Creator, Business with Management BA)
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a student is managing my finances. It can be tough to make ends meet with the rising prices and limited funds whilst also pursuing my academic goals. However, after some trial and error, I’ve found some helpful strategies that have made my financial situation more manageable.
First of all, finding part-time work can make a big difference. There are plenty of options available in Newcastle, from retail and hospitality jobs to administrative and customer service positions.
You can start by checking out on-campus jobs at Northumbria University. These include temporal positions such as Open Day reps, part-time hospitality opportunities, casual work at the Student Union or internships within specific departments through the NU: Opportunities scheme. These are amazing openings to gain paid work experience in a variety of different areas alongside your studies which are available to apply for via Graduate Futures Jobs Online.
If you want to look off-campus, you can visit platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Google Jobs, Glassdoor and Graduate Futures Jobs Online to find and apply to current vacancies of interest. Networking with friends and acquaintances can also be a helpful way to learn about job openings, so don’t hesitate to ask around!
Just remember that balancing a part-time job with a full course load can be challenging, so it’s important to find a schedule that works for you. I’ve found that it’s helpful to work a few hours in the evenings during the week, and then pick up extra shifts on the weekends when I have more free time. It’s also important to be realistic about how many hours you can realistically work while still maintaining your academic performance. Working around 10-15 hours per week seem to be a good balance for me, but every student’s situation is different.
In addition to finding work, there are other things you can do to manage your money. Creating a budget can help you keep track of your spending and make sure you're not overspending - Blackbullion is a great platform for this. You can also prioritize your expenses and cut down on unnecessary things, like eating out. Cooking meals at home can save you a lot of money in the long run, so go watch some food and cooking tutorials!
So don't stress too much about money - there are things you can do to make it more manageable.
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