Making ends meet

Earning some dosh to get through uni might seem unavoidable, but don't lose sight of the reason you are there: to get a degree. Earning shouldn't mean missing vital lectures on a regular basis.

· Search for employers who are used to students working for them. They are more likely to be flexible when it comes to your study timetable. For this reason the NUS recommends that students opt for employers who are members of the National Association of Student Employment Services. The NUS has a useful website that it runs in conjunction with NASES and the TUC which has employment advice and job listings at www.morethanwork.net.

· The NUS reckons students in full-time education should work no more than 15 hours a week. It adds, however, that even this might be too much for some students on some work-intensive courses such as medicine.

· Check out occasional money-making ventures such as getting paid for translation work, teaching music or even starring in a police line-up. An occasional supplement to your existing earnings might be enough to get by without increasing your regular hours.

· Do some research into summer and Christmas jobs. Could you earn enough over the holiday period to get by without working at all, or working fewer hours, during term time?

· Sort out your finances. If you spend half an hour going through your bank statements and working out where your weaknesses are when it comes to spending (beer?) you will probably find some areas to cut back on. Draw up a sensible weekly budget and stick to it - with occasional treats to keep you going.

· Your bank will be eagerly trying to feed you a credit card. Don't take it. Use your interest-free overdraft and beg your parents for a short-term loan if necessary.

· The NUS says that if students are finding it difficult to make ends meet they should go to their student union and speak to an advisor. They may be granted access to the university's hardship fund.