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What Does The Average Student Spend On Freshers Week?
Most may already know that freshers week is a week-long orientation which gives students the chance to socialise and make friends before the term starts. This could include club nights, socials, concerts, fancy dress parties and exploring all the local hotspots. Everyone is trying to get comfortable with their new surroundings and make friends. So be prepared to spend a lot of time socialising! We know it sounds slightly scary but remembers, everyone is more or less in the same position.
On average, a student can spend around £280-£300 this week – it sounds like A LOT. However, you should consider that your university’s area will depend on the price rates for everything.
Budgeting Tips To Have A Successful Freshers Week
Freshers week always has a lot going on, and honestly, if you suffer from FOMO like most of us, then we’re going to need to do some tactical thinking.
Make a Budget plan
Outgoings
Firstly, you’re going to want to make a list of all the essential/mandatory outgoings you’re going to have, including food, rent, utilities, textbooks, and all the other essentials you have to buy. Once you have forked out for all those outgoings, you can work out how much money you will have left over for yourself, including your loans, savings and any bursaries.
Save
With your leftover sum, you can start to work out if there is anywhere in your outgoings you could potentially make cutbacks. A few favourites to remember
- Make your coffee at home.
- Don’t neglect your local charity shops for clothes (don’t knock it till you try it)
- Share streaming platforms; Netflix, prime, disney+ etc
- There’s food at home!
Save as often as you can! Even if it is only a couple of pounds, use your student discount when shopping for things and try to minimise your spending on outfits! You should also consider shopping locally as well as in Lidl and Aldi. Ask your flatmates if they’d like to do food shopping together rather than individually.
Saving where possible will mean you can have more money to spend on those ‘unmissable events’
Prioritise
There are going to be a lot of opportunities to enjoy freshers week! And trust us, you will likely want to do them all! This can be done if you are strict with yourself during this saving period, it might be challenging, but it’ll be worth it in the long run!
So before heading off to Uni, look at the events happening in your town and make this list.
- Must attend events
- Not so bothered about
- Not interested in it at all.
With this list, you can then dedicate money from your savings to each event, even consider making a money pot for them if this will help keep the money separated.
Your university will also offer a pass or a wristband at a one-off cost, giving you access to several parties or all of them, depending on which you buy. This could benefit you as you won’t have to worry about purchasing individual tickets. It’ll work out cheaper!
The Round-Up
It’s about to get real! University is just around the corner, and freshers week is happening even sooner. Take these tips from experienced students, and you might never have to experience FOMO. Enjoy all your university offers and more with a budgeting plan that works well for you.