Typical student
Discussion
Having bit of a discussion with a friend who says I'm pretty narrowminded etc etc.
Personally I think typical students go and spend their entire loan in a week, listen to their ipod constantly, go out on the "lash" every weekend and as finchy well puts always go "ooh I do nothing all day but I need money to do it."
Am I being seriously deluded here? Am I really that narrowminded ?
Edit - ignore the loan one, thats pretty stupid.
What are your guys view of a typical student ?
Personally I think typical students go and spend their entire loan in a week, listen to their ipod constantly, go out on the "lash" every weekend and as finchy well puts always go "ooh I do nothing all day but I need money to do it."
Am I being seriously deluded here? Am I really that narrowminded ?
Edit - ignore the loan one, thats pretty stupid.
What are your guys view of a typical student ?
Edited by ipwn on Tuesday 12th May 23:00
As a student i have tried my hardest not to piss my loan up the wall in a week and have tried to make it last each term. Currently im living on £30 a week until the end of my exams in two weeks. I only have a £300 over draft and try to keep out of it however this has been impossible considering ive paid for le mans out of my student loan this term and saved £350 towards it as i wont have time to work and save money.
I do have friends who have multiple student bank accounts and who have maxed out there large (over a grand) overdrafts.
Personally I dont want to be lumbered with a load of debt (except my loan) when I finish uni so that i can sort my finances out relatively soon after I get a job.
I do have friends who have multiple student bank accounts and who have maxed out there large (over a grand) overdrafts.
Personally I dont want to be lumbered with a load of debt (except my loan) when I finish uni so that i can sort my finances out relatively soon after I get a job.
As a 2nd year student.
The loan thing can be pretty true. A terms loan spent in two weeks, however this is pretty much only in the case of girls. Infact i only know this to be true with girls.
At the moment, its exam period so we're working very, very hard. Most of the time however we do get up late when we don't have lectures(as if you wouldn't) and at the start of the year drink/go to the pub most nights.
Money does go very quickly though. Call us student scroungers all you like, we're having a great time.
The loan thing can be pretty true. A terms loan spent in two weeks, however this is pretty much only in the case of girls. Infact i only know this to be true with girls.
At the moment, its exam period so we're working very, very hard. Most of the time however we do get up late when we don't have lectures(as if you wouldn't) and at the start of the year drink/go to the pub most nights.
Money does go very quickly though. Call us student scroungers all you like, we're having a great time.
I'd say it's about equivalent to saying all employed people dip into as much credit as they can get their hands on, buy new goods at a wasteful and profligate rate, and get into an apoplectic, frothing rage the moment some external factor prevents them using their house as a magic ever-appreciating cash machine.
Not untrue in some cases, but an extreme situation, and there are plenty who aren't like that.
(And also a little out of date. Comparing undergraduates I know now to those in my student days, tuition and top up fees are seeing to that.)
Not untrue in some cases, but an extreme situation, and there are plenty who aren't like that.
(And also a little out of date. Comparing undergraduates I know now to those in my student days, tuition and top up fees are seeing to that.)
Some genuinely seem to go to uni because they want/need to. Obviously, these take it a bit more serious than the others.
Some just seem to go because their mates are, or they've heard it's a real good laugh. Which I'm sure it is if you study something considered to be easy. Perhaps the debt is justifiable because they lived away from home for 4 years and got a degree?
Some just seem to go because their mates are, or they've heard it's a real good laugh. Which I'm sure it is if you study something considered to be easy. Perhaps the debt is justifiable because they lived away from home for 4 years and got a degree?
Being a student myself, I've seen many people do that, which tends to fit the typical student who's come from the richer end of the scale of things, and girls. You can tell them a mile off as they'll be drunk off their nuts for a few weeks at the start of term, with the latest phone / Ipod / clothing before they're begging their friends / family / university for money cause the bills have come in.
Some of the guys i've lived with were actually pretty down to earth with their money, one worked PT at Tescos on the weekends, and did fairly well in making sure his bills and expenses were paid for. I've even heard of one guy who put the money into ISA's and working PT to cover expensises that way, and was actually making some cash out of it all.
Personally speaking, having been working for 3 years previously and got a car to keep maintained, I've had to not do the whole 'get lashed every weekend' trick but then again I'm not a heavy drinker.
Admitedly... i did spend out 2 chunks of a grant on getting a Laptop (didn't have one at the time and it's proven bloody useful for coursework / Formula student) and replacing my aging desktop PC (old one was 5 years old, some components were 8-10 years old and secondhand)
Either way, I wouldn't say it was a completely general view, just an overly used one when there is people at university who genuinely want to better themselves rather get completely wasted. Unfortunately you also have the ones who've got rich parents and don't know their arm from their kneecap.
Some of the guys i've lived with were actually pretty down to earth with their money, one worked PT at Tescos on the weekends, and did fairly well in making sure his bills and expenses were paid for. I've even heard of one guy who put the money into ISA's and working PT to cover expensises that way, and was actually making some cash out of it all.
Personally speaking, having been working for 3 years previously and got a car to keep maintained, I've had to not do the whole 'get lashed every weekend' trick but then again I'm not a heavy drinker.
Admitedly... i did spend out 2 chunks of a grant on getting a Laptop (didn't have one at the time and it's proven bloody useful for coursework / Formula student) and replacing my aging desktop PC (old one was 5 years old, some components were 8-10 years old and secondhand)
Either way, I wouldn't say it was a completely general view, just an overly used one when there is people at university who genuinely want to better themselves rather get completely wasted. Unfortunately you also have the ones who've got rich parents and don't know their arm from their kneecap.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Tuesday 12th May 23:24
I've seen plenty of students that have indeed spent all their loan in the first two weeks. They were generally the ones that didn't make it to the 3rd year.
I had a job for the summer after my first and second years, and a job during my second year itself (couldn't get one during the first year despite applying to many places, didn't even bother looking in my third year as I knew my disseration would need to take most of my time if I wanted it to be good), my parents paid my tuition fees (when they were only £1200 rather than £3000) and gave me £100 a month for food. So my loan went on accomodation and books and anything left over went on things like trips out with mates. I don't smoke or drink so apart from books my biggest expenditure was probably pizza and train journeys home XD Shortly before the Christmas of my 3rd year my Dad was made redundant so my parent's stopped sending the food money, but I simply adjusted my spending accordingly so I could afford to eat proper food, and because I had been sensible with my money early on it wasn't that much of a struggle.
I think it's unfair to say that ALL students are out getting pissed every night and wasting money. The ones I knew were generally very hard working and we all had summer jobs, or part time jobs during term time that became full time jobs in the holiday.
I had a job for the summer after my first and second years, and a job during my second year itself (couldn't get one during the first year despite applying to many places, didn't even bother looking in my third year as I knew my disseration would need to take most of my time if I wanted it to be good), my parents paid my tuition fees (when they were only £1200 rather than £3000) and gave me £100 a month for food. So my loan went on accomodation and books and anything left over went on things like trips out with mates. I don't smoke or drink so apart from books my biggest expenditure was probably pizza and train journeys home XD Shortly before the Christmas of my 3rd year my Dad was made redundant so my parent's stopped sending the food money, but I simply adjusted my spending accordingly so I could afford to eat proper food, and because I had been sensible with my money early on it wasn't that much of a struggle.
I think it's unfair to say that ALL students are out getting pissed every night and wasting money. The ones I knew were generally very hard working and we all had summer jobs, or part time jobs during term time that became full time jobs in the holiday.
Well I never had an Ipod...
It is a pretty easy life at times but I did an engineering degree and in the final year (after a hard industrial placement) I had to work my ass off, 12 hour days most days and more than a couple all night work sessions.
I would say it was 'typical' in year one and two but in the final year you need to pull your finger out... Unless you do 'film and media' of 'media studies' which are joke courses.
Oh and by the way, it's 'on the lash every night' not 'every weekend'
It is a pretty easy life at times but I did an engineering degree and in the final year (after a hard industrial placement) I had to work my ass off, 12 hour days most days and more than a couple all night work sessions.
I would say it was 'typical' in year one and two but in the final year you need to pull your finger out... Unless you do 'film and media' of 'media studies' which are joke courses.
Oh and by the way, it's 'on the lash every night' not 'every weekend'
Sf_Manta said:
Being a student myself, I've seen many people do that, which tends to fit the typical student who's come from the richer end of the scale of things, and girls. You can tell them a mile off as they'll be drunk off their nuts for a few weeks at the start of term, with the latest phone / Ipod / clothing before they're begging their friends / family / university for money cause the bills have come in.
Some of the guys i've lived with were actually pretty down to earth with their money, one worked PT at Tescos on the weekends, and did fairly well in making sure his bills and expenses were paid for. I've even heard of one guy who put the money into ISA's and working PT to cover expensises that way, and was actually making some cash out of it all.
Personally speaking, having been working for 3 years previously and got a car to keep maintained, I've had to not do the whole 'get lashed every weekend' trick but then again I'm not a heavy drinker.
Admitedly... i did spend out 2 chunks of a grant on getting a Laptop (didn't have one at the time and it's proven bloody useful for coursework / Formula student) and replacing my aging desktop PC (old one was 5 years old, some components were 8-10 years old and secondhand)
Either way, I wouldn't say it was a completely general view, just an overly used one when there is people at university who genuinely want to better themselves rather get completely wasted. Unfortunately you also have the ones who've got rich parents and don't know their arm from their kneecap.
Hang on - not all students with rich parents mess around, fair enough some do but others have been brought up knowing the value of money.Some of the guys i've lived with were actually pretty down to earth with their money, one worked PT at Tescos on the weekends, and did fairly well in making sure his bills and expenses were paid for. I've even heard of one guy who put the money into ISA's and working PT to cover expensises that way, and was actually making some cash out of it all.
Personally speaking, having been working for 3 years previously and got a car to keep maintained, I've had to not do the whole 'get lashed every weekend' trick but then again I'm not a heavy drinker.
Admitedly... i did spend out 2 chunks of a grant on getting a Laptop (didn't have one at the time and it's proven bloody useful for coursework / Formula student) and replacing my aging desktop PC (old one was 5 years old, some components were 8-10 years old and secondhand)
Either way, I wouldn't say it was a completely general view, just an overly used one when there is people at university who genuinely want to better themselves rather get completely wasted. Unfortunately you also have the ones who've got rich parents and don't know their arm from their kneecap.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Tuesday 12th May 23:24
I have been very lucky and have been brought up in a privileged situation but since I was small my parents have made me work and save so that I am able to control and budget for things.
I have been brought up with the 'look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves' moto. So although it may seem like all rich kids are only at uni to mess around, they have obviously not been taught the value of money. There are just as many students who are not used to having so much money in their account at once and therefore go out and spend it all straight away on things they want but could never normally afford, not taking into consideration the lack of money they will have later in the term.
- edited to say please ignore any spelling mistakes etc as Ive had an exam today and my mind feels like mush now!
Edited by bexd on Tuesday 12th May 23:36
As a student myself (ex student as of 12pm this thursday!) I think some of the sterotype is true, other bits aren't. Personally I only get the minimum loan and this doesn't cover my rent, so I dont have money to go round spending on clothes and stuff like that. In the first year I think most people will probably spend a grand minimum in the first month, but since then it's cheap food, cheap drink and cheap clothes, well for me at least.
As for what most of us do... Very little. I occasionally attended my lectures, sometimes read stuff and start writing essays 2-3 days before their due in.
Right now infact I should be revising as I have an exam at 10 in the morning and missed half the lectures so need to read them before then. Then I have another exam on Thursday morning, but revision can wait until l after the exam tomorrow.
At the end of it all I'm confident I will get a 2:1 from a highly regarded university, but feel that it has been a complete waste of my time and money and wouldn't have bothered doing it if I cold go back.
I however am nowhere near either of the extreme student lifestyles. There are many who do no work ever and spend ridiculous amounts of borrowed money and go out every night. And then there are many swats who spend no money work 18 hours a day and will get amazing marks. I would class where I am as about average for my uni atleast.
As for what most of us do... Very little. I occasionally attended my lectures, sometimes read stuff and start writing essays 2-3 days before their due in.
Right now infact I should be revising as I have an exam at 10 in the morning and missed half the lectures so need to read them before then. Then I have another exam on Thursday morning, but revision can wait until l after the exam tomorrow.
At the end of it all I'm confident I will get a 2:1 from a highly regarded university, but feel that it has been a complete waste of my time and money and wouldn't have bothered doing it if I cold go back.
I however am nowhere near either of the extreme student lifestyles. There are many who do no work ever and spend ridiculous amounts of borrowed money and go out every night. And then there are many swats who spend no money work 18 hours a day and will get amazing marks. I would class where I am as about average for my uni atleast.
I'm a student and have no typical debt at all...
BUT I think I have it much easier than a lot of my fellow students. I am a Scottish student, so pay no tuition fees. I live at home & am fortunate enough to not have to contribute much to the household. I have a 16 hours a week PT job in Tesco which allows me to buy & run my car. I can also afford a decent social life, which doesn't mean going on the lash every weekend, there's also pool halls, cinema, karting.
We aren't all the same!
BUT I think I have it much easier than a lot of my fellow students. I am a Scottish student, so pay no tuition fees. I live at home & am fortunate enough to not have to contribute much to the household. I have a 16 hours a week PT job in Tesco which allows me to buy & run my car. I can also afford a decent social life, which doesn't mean going on the lash every weekend, there's also pool halls, cinema, karting.
We aren't all the same!
Edited by Dyl on Tuesday 12th May 23:42
Dyl said:
I'm a student and have no typical debt at all...
BUT I think I have it much easier than a lot of my fellow students. I am a Scottish student, so pay no tuition fees. I live at home & am fortunate enough to not have to contribute much to the household. I have a 16 hours a week PT job in Tesco which allows me to buy & run my car. I can also afford a decent social life, which doesn't mean going on the lash every weekend, there's also pool halls, cinema, karting.
We aren't all the same!
But by having all the above, inparticular living at home your missing out on alot of what university is about. It's not all about work, it's also about finding yourself as a person, something I dont really think you can do whilst your still living at home and not fending for yourself so to speak.BUT I think I have it much easier than a lot of my fellow students. I am a Scottish student, so pay no tuition fees. I live at home & am fortunate enough to not have to contribute much to the household. I have a 16 hours a week PT job in Tesco which allows me to buy & run my car. I can also afford a decent social life, which doesn't mean going on the lash every weekend, there's also pool halls, cinema, karting.
We aren't all the same!
Edited by Dyl on Tuesday 12th May 23:42
M@T.R said:
Dyl said:
I'm a student and have no typical debt at all...
BUT I think I have it much easier than a lot of my fellow students. I am a Scottish student, so pay no tuition fees. I live at home & am fortunate enough to not have to contribute much to the household. I have a 16 hours a week PT job in Tesco which allows me to buy & run my car. I can also afford a decent social life, which doesn't mean going on the lash every weekend, there's also pool halls, cinema, karting.
We aren't all the same!
But by having all the above, inparticular living at home your missing out on alot of what university is about. It's not all about work, it's also about finding yourself as a person, something I dont really think you can do whilst your still living at home and not fending for yourself so to speak.BUT I think I have it much easier than a lot of my fellow students. I am a Scottish student, so pay no tuition fees. I live at home & am fortunate enough to not have to contribute much to the household. I have a 16 hours a week PT job in Tesco which allows me to buy & run my car. I can also afford a decent social life, which doesn't mean going on the lash every weekend, there's also pool halls, cinema, karting.
We aren't all the same!
Edited by Dyl on Tuesday 12th May 23:42
I'm 20, just coming to the end of 3 years BSc. I've worked 10 to 20 hours per week during my degree and full time during all holidays (upto 60 hours a week some holidays over 2 jobs). The only debt I have is my tuition fees (£9,150ish), however if I had spent less money on cars than I did then I wouldn't have that. I also have almost £10k saved in the bank towards a house deposit (or can use this to pay off student loan). I lived with my parents for two years and moved away for third year.
I go out about once every month, don't drink, and spend any money I have spare on cars... so not all students are lazy bums
.
I go out about once every month, don't drink, and spend any money I have spare on cars... so not all students are lazy bums
.As a second year student, I'd say your description fits about 50% of students...the 50% I tend to avoid.
The ones that go out "on the lash" every night for "a bit of banter with the lads" are normally the most vacuous, self-absorbed, narcissistic and down-right boring people you could ever have the misfortune to meet. Judgmental? Moi?
The other half of students tend to do whatever work needs doing first, then go down the pub for a few pints. Even in second year doing a pure science, I find I have plenty of free time if I prioritise work correctly and plan ahead. I have to say that I was completely bored of clubbing after Fresher's week and would much prefer to sit down at a bar or [preferably] a pub. You tend to meet much more interesting people that way...
As for the loan thing - a lot of people seem to be pretty crap with money. As for the whole "rich kids waste their parent's money" thing that was being discussed above, I simply don't think it's true. I come from quite a rich background and spend much less than most other people I know. One of my Jewish friends has parents worth around £100m (he didn't tell me this, I looked him up in the Rich List). He is quite possibly the most cautious bloke I have ever met with regards to spending the cash - very discreet and reserved. Although he did say that I was "the most Jewish, non-Jewish person" he had ever met....which I took to be a compliment!
The ones that go out "on the lash" every night for "a bit of banter with the lads" are normally the most vacuous, self-absorbed, narcissistic and down-right boring people you could ever have the misfortune to meet. Judgmental? Moi?
The other half of students tend to do whatever work needs doing first, then go down the pub for a few pints. Even in second year doing a pure science, I find I have plenty of free time if I prioritise work correctly and plan ahead. I have to say that I was completely bored of clubbing after Fresher's week and would much prefer to sit down at a bar or [preferably] a pub. You tend to meet much more interesting people that way...
As for the loan thing - a lot of people seem to be pretty crap with money. As for the whole "rich kids waste their parent's money" thing that was being discussed above, I simply don't think it's true. I come from quite a rich background and spend much less than most other people I know. One of my Jewish friends has parents worth around £100m (he didn't tell me this, I looked him up in the Rich List). He is quite possibly the most cautious bloke I have ever met with regards to spending the cash - very discreet and reserved. Although he did say that I was "the most Jewish, non-Jewish person" he had ever met....which I took to be a compliment!
Edited by wiffmaster on Wednesday 13th May 00:17
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