University

I think I might even have less than £40 a week with my first loan installment

First one is always the worst, especially as you don't know the exact cost of things where you will be living and rent is typically higher for the first two semesters than the third.

Yeah the first semester is the most expensive in rent and its when I get the smallest loan installment

i cant budget, i always end up with like nothing in the last week of the month before my oney comes in! Its insane, i am getting slightly better.

That seems very organised.

Well it seems I have got into uni (UWIC), got a phonecall from track, as they had problems with it yesterday while in the middle of making a decision.

Not sure how I got into uni. Only did 14 out of 18 units, thus getting NC instead of ND (only applied for HND mind)
But yeah, really didn't think I'd get in so didn't do my finance form or apply for accommodation so can't go this year.

Anyone know whether if you defer a year, you had to have applied for both this year? Or.. ?

You can still go this year if your place hasn't been given to someone else. Applications for student finance can be done up to nine months after the start of the course so you haven't missed out there. You might need some money to tide you over until your application is assessed though.

Regarding accommodation, the university may still have some places left or you could go in private rented.

If you want to defer, you should still be able to if you still have a place allocated for this year. Some universities don't accept deferred places so you will have to check with the faculty if they allow it for your course.

Student finance and accommodation for this year shouldn't affect your deferment.

My friend applied for his place on a course and moved into halls two days later so it is possible to do it this year.

What Abigail said ^^^

CAnt really add anything to that! What would you be studying for Lea?

I budgeted, i think, got about £50 per week depending on my phone bill and rent when that goes out! I doubt it will last long though, im always scrimping and saving at the end of the month to try and find two pennies to rub together!

I'm thinking more along the lines to £200 a month now (£250 including phone bill) with a contingency of £50 in case I need to go home urgently or there's another emergency.

I'm not planning on going home so often, probably once or twice a semester. Regular trips to Sainsburys on a Sunday afternoon at 3pm to raid the reduced section and cooking food from scratch and freezing them will also be on my "cost cutting" list.

YEah thats a good idea to, im a big fan of freezing half and having at a later date, i have a little freezer in my room which is good.

My Uni ID card came in the post today :D