University life can feel like a balancing act, keeping up with lectures, managing assignments, socialising, and sometimes, squeezing in a little sleep! But with a few clever life hacks, you can save time, reduce stress, and get the most out of your university experience. From academic tips to managing your finances and staying healthy, here are some student life hacks every university student should know.
- Use the “Two-Minute Rule” for Productivity
Student hack: The “two-minute rule” helps you stay on top of small tasks. If something can be done in two minutes or less (like responding to an email, putting away laundry, or tidying your desk), do it right away.
Why It Works: It prevents procrastination and stops tasks from piling up. Tackling them immediately saves you from bigger stress later.
- Get Free or Discounted Textbooks
Student Hack: Before buying new textbooks, check online platforms like Amazon for rentals or second-hand options. Edge Hill university also offers free access to textbooks via their libraries or online platforms. You can also try swapping books with classmates or find digital versions online.
Why It Works: Textbooks can be one of the largest expenses for students. Finding cheaper alternatives or accessing free resources from Edge Hill university will help reduce the financial burden.
- Meal Prep for the Week
Student Hack: Dedicate an hour or two on the weekend to meal prep. Portion out meals in containers so you can easily heat them up during the week. In Ormskirk, there are a variety of supermarkets to buy your weekly food shop from. For example: Morrisons, Aldi and M&S.
Why It Works: It saves you time, money and stress during the busy week, ensuring you have healthy and affordable meals ready when you’re too tired to cook. This means you have more money to spend on other essentials and social events.
- Leverage Student Discounts and Freebies
Student Hack: Take advantage of student discounts! Many retailers, coffee shops, and entertainment venues in Ormskirk offer student discounts with a valid student ID. If you live with us at McComb Students, we offer exclusive student discounts all around Ormskirk. This ranges from nightclubs, to bars, to cafes, to hairdressers and barbers. There are also two popular apps called Unidays and Student Beans that provide discounts for various stores and services.
Why It Works: Students can save a lot of money by taking advantage of discounts. It’s a simple way to stretch your budget further.
- Set Up a Smart Study Space
Student Hack: Create a dedicated, clutter-free study zone. In every McComb Students room we provide a desk and chair, which is perfect for creating a calm and cosy space for studying. As well as this, investing in noise-cancelling headphones, if possible, is a great investment to make during university so you can get ultimate focus in the library!
Why It Works: Having a designated space for studying signals your brain that it’s time to focus. Plus, being away from distractions helps you get more work done in less time.
- Find Cheap or Free Entertainment
Student Hack: Look for free student events or discounted student events, either on campus or in Ormskirk town centre. You can also have a look for student events in Liverpool as the public transport from Ormskirk to Liverpool is great! Edge Hill university host a variety of different social events on campus. However, if you live with McComb Students, we provide free student events once a week for all our students! This is a great way to socialise, meet new people and make new friends without spending a lot.
Why It Works: Enjoying activities without spending a lot of money helps you save while still having fun and socialising with friends.
Conclusion
University life is an exciting but demanding journey, and a few clever hacks can make all the difference. Whether it’s staying organised, managing your time, or cutting down on costs, these life hacks can help you work smarter, not harder. Implement a few into your routine, and you’ll find that balancing university, life, and everything in between becomes a lot more manageable, and a lot more fun!
