10 Student Hacks That’ll Change Your Uni Experience for the Better

Explore Nov 1, 2019

Finding your groove when it comes to balancing student life can be tough. From long days of classes and night study sessions to keeping an active social calendar, we get that there’s a lot on your plate. 

Our top 10 student hacks will help you level up your hectic student life and change your Uni experience for the better. Follow these tips and we promise you’ll enjoy student life so much more!

1. Make Friends With the Locals

A group of people gathered in a circle and meeting each other for the first time.

Making friends with the locals in your study abroad city is a surefire way to get to know your new digs fast! Not only do the locals know all the coolest places to visit, dine at, and go out, but locals are typically friendly and more than happy to lend a helping hand to international students.

Don’t be afraid to approach the locals in your classes and ask them to hang out. One of the most amazing things about learning how to study abroad is making friends with people who are from that particular country. Natives can offer a wealth of information about your surroundings, introduce you to their friends and family, and ultimately offer you an insider’s guide to your study abroad city and country! Don’t forget to take advantage of this student hack if you’re feeling like a social butterfly.

2. Find a Mentor

A young male student with glasses sitting at his laptop with his mentor who is pointing to something on the computer screen

There are so many benefits to having a mentor during your college days. Mentors offer tips for freshman and other grades on how to navigate the often complex higher education realm. A mentor can help you with everything from what to study once you’re attending Uni to what to do for a post-college career. You never know, they might even teach you a couple of their old-school college tricks, too!

Getting linked up with a mentor when you’re studying abroad can offer you an entirely different perspective on education and careers and can potentially lead to an international job offer post-graduation. If you’re interested in finding a mentor, then reach out to your teachers or study abroad program director for more info.

3. Color-Code Your Notes

A young, brunette student practicing a student hack and color-coding her class notes with an orange highlighter.If you’ve been searching for more efficient ways to study and absorb information, then color-coding notes is one of the best student hacks. Next time you’re in a lecture, bring a set of multi-color highlighters to class with you and color code your notes to organize the information in ways that are logical and relevant to you. 

Some tips on how to color-code are: 

  • Group notes by subject/topic
  • Group notes by important dates/events
  • Don’t use too many colors or you might have trouble keeping up (4 max) 
  • Be discerning, don’t go overboard and color-code everything – just the most vital details
  • Keep a uniform style (use the same colors for each respective class/subject to avoid confusion)

And don’t forget to check out our complete guide to studying for more tips and tricks on how to study effectively. 

4. Student Hacks 101: Study Smarter, Not Harder

A desk with colorful gummy bears, tape, multicolored pens, and a spiral notebook

A little incentivizing can go a long way when it comes to putting in those study hours. This study hack will leave you with an A+ and your sweet tooth satisfied, too. 

Next time you crack open the books, place a gummy bear (or your favorite candy) on each paragraph or at the end of each page in your textbook. As you finish each section or page, reward yourself by eating the gummy bear.

This is not only a fun way to push yourself to read and absorb the info, but it also gives you a little sugar boost to make it through those long nights of studying.

5. Buy a Portable Phone Charger
A cell phone and portable cell phone charger on a log in a park with a red bicycle in the background

The last thing you need when you’re studying abroad in a foreign country is to have a low battery on your cell phone—especially since there are so many useful apps for students. That’s why you need a portable charger (also known as a power bank) to carry with you in your purse or backpack for when you’re in the red and out and about. This simple student hack will save you from a headache the next time you’re in serious need of a little battery life.

6. Find the Best Student Accommodation Without the Stress

Happy roommates relaxing in the living room of their student accommodation

There’s no need to worry about finding the perfect student accommodation when studying abroad because Unilodgers has you covered! Once you’ve been accepted to your new Uni, you need to find a place to live. Think about what you want to get out of your study abroad experience when it comes to your living situationlike if you prefer off-campus vs. on-campus housing, having roommates, or want to live alone. 

Sit back, relax, browse, and let Unilodgers help you find your ideal living situation. 

Here’s what sets us apart from the rest:

  • Our services are 100% free for students. Once you book, we charge a success fee from our property owners.
  • Each student is assigned to a Student Support Specialist for year-round assistance with their living situation.
  • You get 24/7 service from our Student Support Team (we promise to always give you unbiased advice). 
  • Book instantly with Unilodgers’ seamless, online booking service.
  • Secure the best offers globally. Unilodgers has access to the most apartments, finds the lowest prices, and provides the best offers.
  • We understand student housing, so we ensure every property is verified and is strictly a student accommodation that provides welcoming, clean rooms, social and study spaces, safe surroundings, and is near university campuses.
  • Book online with our secure booking process and pay directly to the property. 

Since good student housing is super important to your overall study abroad experience, this is one life hacks for students you can’t forget to use. 

7. Become a Microwave Chef

A young blonde student with a ponytail heating a burger and fries in the microwave

You don’t have to be a professionally trained chef for this student hack! Microwaving meals is a super quick and easy way to eat well and save a few bucks while you’re away at Uni. And your options aren’t limited to the frozen food aisle either. 

Try any of these dorm friendly microwave meals for some legit culinary inspo, unleash your inner MasterChef, and you’ll be one step closer to a full belly and ready to take on that late-night studying.

8. Use Your Hair Straightener to Iron Your Wrinkled Clothes 

Woman holding a hair straightener

No iron? No problem! If you’re in a pinch and need to iron out some wrinkles STAT, then try using your hair straightener. This student hack is ultra-convenient since a hair straightener is lightweight and much easier to travel with than a traditional clothes iron.

Watch your heat settings so you don’t burn yourself or your clothes and in just a couple swipes, that wrinkled blouse or collar will be in tip-top shape and you’ll be ready to go out for a night on the town.

9. Carry a Mini Lint Roller in Your Bag

Close up shot of a female wearing jeans and using a lint roller on the sleeve of her black cable knit sweater

If you have pets or love fuzzy sweaters that tend to shed onto your other clothes, then keeping a lint roller in your bag will ensure your outfit is always #onpoint. Don’t let your clothes covered in animal hair make a bad impression on your professors or peers, and stay prepared with one of these lint rollers. This small student hack will make a huge impact! 

10. Never Lose Your Belongings Again Thanks to a Fanny Pack
A young woman leaning against a wall outside and reaching to unzip the leather fanny pack around her waist

Fanny pack, belt bag, bum bag… call it what you want, but these bags are making a total fashion comeback and we’re here for it! This student hack is not only completely on-trend, but also pretty much guarantees that you won’t be losing your phone, keys, or money when you go out with your mates tonight.

If you’re ready to invest in a hands-free bag (let’s be honest, you probably need one), then check out this list of the best fanny packs for all the specs on some of the best sellers out there. One great thing about fanny packs is that they recently came back into trend! You can amp up your #OOTD by simply adding more functionality to your wardrobe with your fanny pack! After all, whoever says fanny packs aren’t cool clearly hasn’t seen Dwayne The Rock Johnson rock one!

What Student Hacks Do You Swear By?

Now that you know our favorite life hacks for students, let us know if you try any of them. Have more to add to our list? We’d love to hear them. Leave us a comment below!

Unilodgers is the world’s leading platform to book student accommodations and serves over 2 million students from over 195 countries every year. We provide students exclusive offers on student housing options and make it easy to book the accommodation that’s the best fit for you.

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