by Simon Wright

Created on: May 31, 2009

Going to college should be one of the greatest times in a young person's life but, too often, that experience is sullied by money problems. Not only is there the fear and anxiety that accompanies the realisation that you are going to be saddled by debt for many years to come but it can often be a struggle just to get by on a day-by-day basis.

It's important to realise, however, that you are not alone in facing this predicament and that there are some things that you can do to lessen the financial burden. With that in mind, here are ten top tips that you can apply to improve your monetary wellbeing.

1. Opt for the bank that offers the best overdraft deal, not the best gimmick:

When you enrol at college, there will normally be a host of banks keen to sign you up and they attempt to entice students by offering freebie account opening incentives. However, you are always better to choose your bank based on the quality of the accounts that they are offering you. Given that you are likely to face financial strain during your time at university, the overdraft deal that they offer will normally be of particular relevance. If the bank that offers the best interest rates, and has the lowest charges, also happens to offer the best incentive then great. However, don't go with them just because they're offering a free camera or whatever else it might be.

2. Learn the art of budgeting:

Nobody's saying that you need to live the life of a hermit but, at the same time, it's important to realise that you can't paint the town red every day unless you happen to have a footballer's wage packet. Budgeting is about working out how much money you have available to spend each week or month and then working out what you're going to spend it on. It may not come naturally for many people but budgeting is an invaluable tool that can help you get through college and will become a useful lifetime skill. Your bank student officer should be able to offer more detailed advice and budgeting tools, so don't be afraid to ask for their expertise.

3. Get a part-time job but don't let work affect your grades:

It's an unfortunate fact that most students need to join the workforce whilst at college in order to fund their time at college. A positive of this is that it will look good on your CV and will enable you with skills that you can benefit from when you start your professional career. However, there is risk attached to working through university. If you find yourself working every free moment

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