21 Life Hacks for Students

Whether you're aiming to cut costs, boost productivity, or avoid unnecessary tasks, we've compiled some life hacks that can make a big impact.

Combine these hacks with essential skills to navigate university successfully, and you'll be well on your way to thriving as a student.

 

1. Vacuum Pack Your Belongings When Moving

Vacuum packing your items, especially clothes, maximises suitcase space when moving or traveling. This method involves placing items in a special bag and removing the air, typically using a vacuum cleaner. Ensure you know what to bring to university and what to leave behind.

 

2. Try Passive Cooking

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To save on energy bills, try passive cooking for pasta and vegetables. Boil the food for a few minutes, then turn off the hob and let the food continue cooking in the hot water.

 

3. Use Supermarket Cashback Apps for Free Food

Supermarket cashback apps like Shopmium can provide free food. Refer friends to earn £3 in referral credits, which can be used to get money off purchases. Check out our promo code for 100% cashback on a bag of Maltesers.

 

4. Follow a Meal Plan

Meal prepping saves money and reduces food waste. Plan meals for the week or month, buy ingredients in bulk, and freeze what you can. Our meal plan works out at around £3.40 per day.

 

5. Get a Part-Time Job Offering Freebies and Discounts

Many students work part-time jobs for income and employee perks, like free food or discounts. Look for jobs in places where you frequently shop or eat to maximize savings.

 

6. Have Monthly Budget Meetings with Yourself

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Regularly review and adjust your budget. Cancel unused memberships and find ways to cut unnecessary expenses. Being prepared helps manage your money better.

Even better, get our Money Management Sheet which does all of this for you!

 

7. Use an App-Based Bank Like a Prepaid Card

Manage your budget by transferring your monthly spending amount to an app-based bank account. These accounts offer features like spending notifications and analytics.

 

8. Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Websites like CDKeys.com and eBay often sell gift cards at reduced prices, saving you money on purchases.

 

9. Try the £2 Challenge

Save £730 in a year by saving just £2 a day!

 

10. Use Cheap Alternatives to the Gym

Get fit for free by running, doing online fitness tutorials, or creating a home gym with budget-friendly tips.

 

11. Study at the Library to Reduce Home Energy Bills

Spend more time at the university library to save on heating and electricity at home. This works best if you walk or cycle to campus.

 

12. Get an Energy-Saving Plug

These plugs allow you to turn devices off completely rather than leaving them on standby, saving energy and reducing bills.

 

13. Buy a Long Mobile Phone Charging Cable

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Long charging cables let you use your phone while it charges, even from across the room. Find these on sites like eBay and Amazon.

 

14. Use Science Direct for your Academic References

Check out Science Direct to find all of your academic references needed for your essays, exams, dissertations and more! 

 

15. Use Google Scholar for Referencing

Speed up referencing by using Google Scholar’s citation tool. Ensure you use the correct referencing style.

 

16. Set Timers on Your Phone for Study Blocks

Boost productivity by setting timers for study sessions and breaks. This helps maintain focus and motivation.

Check our or blog on the 10 Best Time Management Tips for Busy Students where we go over the infamous Pomodoro Technique which can help you automate this task!

 

17. Block Social Media Apps While Working

Improve productivity by blocking social media apps or using apps like Hold, which rewards you for staying off your phone.

 

18. Tackle Quick Tasks on Your To-Do List First

Start your day with small, quick tasks to build momentum. Break down big tasks into manageable steps for better productivity.

 

19. Use sticky notes to mark where your references are in books

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Keeping track of all the references you use for your essays can be tough. Use stick notes to mark the pages with little notes referencing them to your appendix! 

 

20. Hang Clothes in the Bathroom to Remove Creases

Hang clothes in the bathroom while showering to reduce creases, potentially eliminating the need to iron. We love this one! 

 

21. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Save money by making natural cleaning products with ingredients like vinegar, lemons, and bicarbonate of soda. These can clean shower heads, unblock drains, and more.

Implementing these hacks can make your university life easier, more efficient, and more cost-effective.