I'm going to college. What are some tips?

1. Learn the basics of cooking, even if you're not aiming for gourmet meals or a professional chef level. Just investing some time in learning simple recipes can save you money, as I've been able to spend only £20 a week on food while my housemate spends around £80 on takeaways and ready-made meals. It's easier than you think.

1.a Instead of going out for drinks, consider throwing a party or inviting a few friends over. Going out can easily cost over £50, but having a fun night in shouldn't cost more than £10.

2. Go to bed early. There's nothing exciting happening after midnight on a Tuesday.

3. Socialize with people around you, whether it's your classmates, dormmates, people in your neighborhood, or fellow club members. This might be the first time since kindergarten that everyone is open to making new friends, so take advantage of this opportunity before it passes.

3.a Don't limit yourself to befriending only certain types of people. The wealthy kid might have a holiday home, the tech enthusiast might have useful subscriptions, and the theater enthusiast might have tickets to that concert you're interested in. I'm not suggesting using people, but having a diverse group of friends can lead to new opportunities.

4. Consider checking out charity or thrift stores before making purchases from your usual shops. You'll be surprised by the affordable prices and unique items you can find, like a movie for £1 or a pair of jeans for £5.

5. Embrace coursework, especially if you have the chance to submit it multiple times. Attendance marks and lab work can greatly contribute to your final grade. By achieving 90% in these areas (which should be quite manageable), which make up 30% of your overall grade, you'll already be halfway to securing a good grade without even facing an exam.

6. Avoid starting to smoke. In just the first month of university, I've already witnessed three people picking up this expensive habit that's easy to fall into but difficult to quit.