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Being a student in a Nigerian university is tough enough to talk more of depending on the allowance given to you by your parents or guardians. When I was in school, I was not entirely opportuned to receiving allowances every month, my parents would ensure that I left home with enough foodstuffs and it was expected that the allowance given to me or sent to my account aside from my school fees while leaving home should be enough for the entire semester.
As a prudent student back then and the fact that I stock my cupboard with provisions and food stuff from home I really did not lack anything in that aspect. But no matter how prudent you want to be as a student there are fees and expenses on campus that can drain you due to unexpected bills.
As as a student living on small allowance was tough but it helped me to grow as a financial independent woman that was disciplined in the way she spent and utilizes her funds. My parents taught me to ensure that I placed my needs first and these includes food, transport, buying of handouts, books, typing of assignments, faculty fees and other school essentials.
I remember back then how I would make a list of all the necessary and important things I needed to acquire first immediately my allowance lands in my account. Most of these includes the books are intend to buy for that semester, filling up my 5kg gas cylinder that would last me more than half of the semester, accounting for payment of transportation because it is necessary most times as my department is quite far from the school gate.
Depending on the kind of allowance you receive from your parents, saving can be hard because as a student who studied English, we were made to buy various important books at different points in the semester and if you intend to pass the course without distraction or having to borrow books, you just have to get a copy for yourself. So when you intend to save a little token aside, expenses spring up and tamper with it. Though I make little effort to keep a little aside for emergencies but it never enough.
Money is never enough for a student because there is a point that when it's almost close to the ending of the semester sapa sets in so bad and the struggle to survive and finish the semester becomes a tussle.
During my time we called it "Akungba Igbeyin" which means people are broke and there is no money for food, this is when people engage in weird food combinations. This period is so real that the school environment feels dry and deserted, unlike the beginning of the semester when everyone is bubbling and fresh right from the holiday.
In conclusion, managing money as a student stems from financial discipline and being prudent in your spending. As a student we don't need unnecessary items but to focus on getting a good education that we would be proud of in the future. Unfortunately, distractions have become so rampant amongst students especially the females who want to show off by buying expensive phones, wigs and clothes. That is not the goal.
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