University can be expensive — and not just because of tuition fees. Here are a number of expenses you need to add to your budget that you may have neglected to consider.

1. Books

One of the major expenses for university students tends to be books. To save money, purchase secondhand books from other students or rent through a textbook service. If you decide to buy your books, you can also gain back some of your investment by selling them when you’ve finished your classes.

2. Food

If you live on campus, you may receive a meal plan, but you should be aware that this will be more expensive than purchasing your own food. Plus, even if you do have a meal plan, you’ll have additional food-related expenses, such as for snacks and eating out with friends.

3. Utilities

Some student apartments don’t include utilities in the cost of rent. Others include electricity, gas, and water, but landlords expect you to pay for internet services.

4. Clothing

You likely want at least some new clothes for university. It could even be a necessity to update your wardrobe if you’re moving somewhere with a different climate.

5. Tech

A decent laptop is essential for every university student. Depending on your major, you may even need a high-range laptop and some other tech equipment.

6. Extracurriculars

You’ll have numerous opportunities to join clubs, societies, and other activities at university. Some of these may require membership fees and you may incur additional expenses, such as for purchasing equipment, travel, or insurance.

7. Transportation

You may also need to pay for transportation for other purposes. If you live some distance from campus, you may need to pay for public transportation or have your own car, which comes with expenses including fuel, insurance, and parking. You should also think about how you’ll return home and how often.

8. Travel and Study Abroad

You may like to use your breaks to travel farther afield. In addition to flights, you’ll need to pay for accommodation, travel insurance, and other essentials. You could even decide to study abroad for an entire semester. This is becoming an increasingly popular option with students, as it’s a great way to expand your horizons, experience other cultures, and put your language skills into practice.

9. Emergencies

You’ll need to have an emergency fund for any unexpected expenses — and it’s important not to touch this money unless it’s a true emergency. For instance, you may need to repair your car or return home unexpectedly. Running short of spending money for the month, however, doesn’t count as an emergency.

One thing that doesn’t need to be a huge expense is housing — you just need to search for affordable apartments for rent. North Oshawa students can find high-quality student rentals at a price that fits their budget at Foundry Simcoe. Plus, the rent is all inclusive and the suites fully furnished, including with a washer and dryer. This means you won’t need to pay for utilities, internet, furniture, or laundromat services. Apply now to secure your spot for the move-in day of your choice.

Summers at university are long, but they can disappear in a flash if you wile away the days, not doing much of anything. Whereas it’s definitely worth spending some time relaxing and recovering from the last semester, you’ll feel much better about how you spent your summer if you set some of the following goals.

1. Master a Skill

Identify a skill that could benefit you after you graduate or that you’ve just always wanted to learn. Dedicate time every day to mastering this skill, perhaps by taking classes or using online tutorials.

2. Enroll in an Online Course

Stay in a learning frame of mind by enrolling in an online course. You can find a number of platforms offering courses for free. They’re great for enriching the material you covered in university, preparing you for a challenging class you’ll be taking next semester, or just expanding your knowledge.

3. Apply for an Internship

Working an internship will give structure to your summer while gaining you some valuable experience, showing you what it would be like to work in a particular field, and teaching your new skills. Plus, an internship is a great way to improve your chances of being hired by the company in the future. You can find numerous opportunities for internships with a quick search online or by talking to the careers services at your university.

4. Volunteer

Dedicate time over the summer to a cause that matters to you. Like an internship, volunteering enhances your resume, but it can be more personally fulfilling.

5. Work Out Your Long-Term Goals

As you progress through university, you’ll likely be able to form a clearer picture of what you want for the future. Decide on some major long-term goals and then work backward to figure out the steps to reach them.

6. Create a Vision Board

Every student should have a vision board in their apartment. Your vision board represents your hopes and dreams. It’s filled with pictures and ideas that motivate you, show you what you want to achieve in life, and remind you of why you need to study hard. If you don’t have a vision board already, spend this summer making one.

7. Check Off Some Books on Your Reading List

Decide how many books you want to read this summer and pick a few from your reading list. It’s best to create a diverse selection to give yourself a balance of reading for pleasure and reading to learn.

8. Find a New Podcast You Love

Listen to new podcasts whenever you have some free time — this could be when you’re cooking, cleaning, driving, or just having a relaxing afternoon scrolling through social media. Keep your search going until you find a podcast you love and will listen to on a regular basis.

9. Adopt a New Hobby

Explore new possibilities for hobbies — perhaps something you have no idea if you’ll enjoy. It’s ideal to pick something you’ll be able to continue when you return to university.

10. Start Freelancing

Earn an income through a side hustle by freelancing. Consider what skills you have and how you could use them to make money. For instance, you could create stock photos, design websites, or become a virtual assistant.

11. Improve Your Online Presence

Go through your social media profiles and delete anything you don’t want anymore — this includes people you’re following as well as posts. Update your profiles with fresh information. Pay particular attention to LinkedIn, as this is what prospective employers will be checking most closely. Make sure you have a professional photo, a compelling summary, and a large network by adding all your university friends and classmates.

One more goal to set for the summer is to search for better rooms for rent. Oshawa students don’t need to look far: you can live at Foundry Simcoe. You’ll receive a private room where you can focus on your studies, an en suite bathroom, and the option for an apartment with a balcony. Apply now to improve your student experience.

No matter how busy you are, you do need to keep your living space at university clean. This will be good for your mental and physical health, prevent arguments with roommates, and mean you’re always able to find what you’re looking for. Here are some tips to maintain a tidy space.

1. Clean Before You Move In

Before you start unpacking, disinfect surfaces, door handles, and light switches. Clean the floors, and spray the room with your favourite air freshener to make your new home smell welcoming.

2. Keep Clutter Under Control

Assign every one of your possessions a place in your apartment. When clutter starts building up, put items back where they belong.

3. Do Basic Cleaning Tasks Daily and Weekly

You’ll find it much easier to keep your apartment clean if you do certain tasks every day. This should include making your bed, washing dishes, and generally tidying up. On a weekly basis, throw out expired food, do your laundry, and sort out any papers you’ve accumulated from your classes. All these activities only take a few minutes and will save you from needing to dedicate a large amount of time to cleaning in the future.

4. Create a Cleaning Schedule

Share cleaning tasks for common areas among roommates by writing down what each of you needs to do and putting it into a schedule. Being able to hold someone accountable should ensure that all the cleaning gets done and you avoid disputes. Make sure you include vacuuming or sweeping and mopping, taking out the trash, dusting, and washing the windows.

5. Organize a Thorough Clean at the End of Each Semester

The best time for a deep clean is at the end of each semester. If you’re going to your parents’ home for the break, this will mean you return to a clean apartment that puts you in the right frame of mind at the beginning of the new semester. Even if you’ll be staying in your apartment, it’s a good idea to organize a thorough clean. You can coordinate with your roommates to turn it into a regular event. Use the chance to clean all the appliances, including the fridge, oven, cooktop, microwave, and coffee maker. After you’ve emptied the trash, wash the cans. It’s also worth moving furniture to vacuum underneath. In your own room, you may like to completely empty your closet to vacuum the floor.

It’s easier to keep your home clean when you at least have your own bedroom. This means moving out of on-campus housing and into student apartments. Oshawa students can rent a flat or townhouse suite at Foundry Simcoe. You’ll have an ensuite bathroom and you’ll only share the living room and kitchen with two or four other students. Plus, monthly housing is available to reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do yourself. Sign up now to take advantage of the lowest rate of the year.