Starting out student life can be overwhelming. With too many new choices we often find ourselves just existing, creating a new way of life, without consciously considering why we do what we do. 

Here are a few habits you might be forming that will not only be hurting your wallets but also your wellbeing...

The dreaded morning alarm

A simple thing as hitting ‘snooze’, it feels harmless, doesn’t it? We all love a lie-in from time to time but what may feel like an indulgence can create a perfect storm of stress and wasteful spending. From dashing to class in a cab, grabbing a quick coffee at the kiosk and popping into the corner shop for a meal deal at lunch, basically leaving you in a panic and on-edge all day. 

All these small on-the-go purchases drain our bank accounts and ultimately our wellbeing. Multiply those feelings of stress by days x months and the impact on our wellbeing is considerable. Multiply the money spent by days x months and you’ve quickly got yourself a small fortune. Now, just imagine how you’d feel without the panic and what you’d buy with the small fortune!

Forgetting breakfast, a coffee will do

The joyful sound of the morning alarm, again. Waking up late often means we miss out on creating a positive morning routine that can boost our wellbeing. From stretching to meditation to working out and most importantly, breakfast. How many times have you needed to grab a coffee / unhealthy snack throughout the day to simply ‘get you going’ and ‘keep you going’?

Pretty soon it has become a daily habit, one that can not only hurt our wallets but also our studies. Skipping breakfast means blood sugar levels are not going to give us sustained energy and our brains function will not be at its optimum level for learning.

Filling up down time

Free time. One of the great things about university is having more time to ourselves where we get to decide how to use it. Time between lectures. Days with no lectures. Evenings alone. This downtime can often leave us feeling bored, lonely or afraid and the need to make ourselves feel good is real. Spending is a common coping mechanism to these feelings.

The pleasure we feel in that moment is often met with guilt and anxiety a little later. If we know the times that trigger us to needlessly spend, we can create a plan for an alternative activity. E.g. going for a walk away from the shops, connecting with a friend or trying something new. The money you spend on trying something new may have an improved outcome on how you feel and on your confidence. This is how to get MoneyFit.

Follow the #MoneyFitnessMovement.

Financial wellbeing is part of The Student Housing Company's wellbeing programme.