Читать книгу How to Succeed At University--International Edition - Danton O'Day - Страница 15

Opting out of university for financial reasons should only be considered when you’ve exhausted all other avenues. While watching your budget is one approach to keeping university costs down, for some this isn’t an option. Students who face financial difficulties can look to various sources of financial support. Awards, bursaries and scholarships, as noted elsewhere, are not just for brainiacs—many are available for students who aren’t at the top of their class. As mentioned previously, you should check out the awards specific to your university as well as financial aid offered by the government.

Did You Know?

One way students save money is by buying used books. Offers of used textbooks for sale are often posted around the university. Websites dedicated to exchanging textbooks also exist. Before buying a used textbook, check to see if it’s the same edition required for the class; university textbooks undergo frequent revisions. Depending on the amount of new content an older edition may still be acceptable, but you should confirm this with the instructor beforehand. Another money-saving strategy is to employ textbook rental services provided by some university bookstores and private companies.

At this stage you may have many concerns such as which university to attend and what type of degree you wish to pursue. You should also think about how these decisions will impact you financially. If you’re considering studying in another country, be aware that tuition rates tend to be significantly higher for international students than those for domestic students. The availability and types of scholarships for which you will be eligible will also differ. Similarly, fees tend to be higher in private universities than in public institutions. On the other hand, in some countries students attending public universities are not charged tuition fees at all. Some of the costs that must be considered in addition to fees include books and living expenses. So if you anticipate that money will be an issue, attending a local, public university to keep your tuition and living expenses down, in addition to careful budgeting, may be the safest bet. But, again, don’t let your lack of finances prevent you from pursuing the type of education you need. Don’t compromise unless there are no other options.

Did You Know?

A study published in 2008 analyzed various aspects of the first-year university experience, including the reasons why students left their programme of study. The survey, conducted among students at over twenty different higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, found that 29% of students who had not re-enrolled for the second year of studies (i.e., dropped out) cited “financial problems” as a “very” or “moderately” influential factor.⁹