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University is a whirlwind of new responsibilities and time management skills. Between going to classes and having a great time, the last thing on your mind is your budget, but when it comes to healthcare you can’t ignore the numbers. Keeping yourself healthy should be your top priority and if you’re burning the candle at both ends, your immune system is going to take a beating. Follow these three simple ways to keep yourself healthy on a budget and don’t get caught short when you start to sneeze.
Stockpile Resources
Buying late night supplies from the campus shop is going to come at a cost. Over the counter, remedies are easy to buy in the supermarket and will likely be cheaper than anything you’re rushing out to buy at the last minute. When you’re buying groceries, throw in some pain relief and Nytol so that you’re ready for the moment the sneezes strike. If you wear contact lenses, order them online by setting up a mail order subscription, this way you will have an idea of your monthly spend and you’ll always have enough lenses to last the month. If you’ve come to college with no Rx, companies such as Vision Direct allow you to order contacts without Rx. Learning to think ahead is the best way to prepare for all eventualities. Just don’t let your dorm buddies crack into your stash!
Find a doctor before you need one
One of the most important things to do when you get to uni is to find a nearby doctor or medical center who you’ll be able to visit in case things go wrong. You’re probably having too much fun to even consider heading up to the medical center, but it will be worth it if you end up having to make a surprise visit later in the term. When you’re feeling under the weather, paperwork is not going to be at the top of your list, so ensure you get registered at the beginning of the year to make booking an emergency appointment easy. Doctors will also be able to advise with stress-related problems, which can be common for undergraduate students, so finding one sooner rather than later can be a godsend.
Take Your Multi-Vitamins
Students are notorious for getting very little sleep, whether that is because of studying or partying or a mixture of both, a lack of sleep can take a toll on the body. We all think that we can power through until the end of the semester and then head home for mom’s cooking and a chance to catch up on sleep. However, there often comes a point just halfway through the semester when you will be ready to drop everything and sleep for a week. Firstly, take a look at your schedule and work out if there is anything you could strike, you might also want to consider taking daily multivitamins in addition to ensuring that you’re eating a balanced diet. Getting the right vitamins may be a healthier way to give yourself the boost that coffee might not be providing, and you’ll be able to get vitamins even if you have no prescription. Make sure you get an early night once in a while; college may be fun, but you’ve got to keep it up for four years.
Making some simple adjustments will ensure that you keep yourself healthy and stay within your budget. If you find that you’re having trouble with managing your budget, try to keep a spreadsheet of everything you spend, it might sound boring but it can really help if you’re finding yourself a little short at the end of the month.
