Staying on course financially

Current university student Alex shares his experience of returning to education once his child started nursery. Despite of the cost of living with with a young family, Alex talks about how he has been able to afford to live, study and take care of his daughter.

We all have different financial and budgeting needs, and this may be the time to take a look at how and where our money is going to be needed most during our studies. It may be that you are interested in a course that requires a significant commute, so travel will be at the top of your priority list. It may be that we have children of particular ages that will require different levels of childcare: nursery; breakfast or after school club. We may have health issues that require our financial investment in.

Previously, we have discussed that one of the key characteristics of an adult learner is that of life experience. We are likely to have raised families, have much experience of household expenses and are more likely to be more well-travelled than younger people. So, budgeting will be familiar to us, although we will have a priority to know how much we will have to live on, once we know that, we will adjust our lifestyle accordingly and make provision to increase our income where appropriate during our studies.

Check out the associated links to a range of advice and guidance on budgeting as a student.

• Does what Alex say relate to where you are in your thoughts on returning to education?

• How do you feel about moving from the Contemplation stage of change through to the Preparation stage, when we know that the Action is just around the corner?

Share your thoughts with others.