Studies must come first when juggling college work and employment

Scrimping and saving is part of the student experience, writes Sharon Ní Chonchúir. But always put your college course before a part-time job.

This is an exciting yet daunting time for anyone starting life as a third-level student. A record 80,887 people applied for college this year and yesterday, many received offers of places at universities and institutes of technology.

That’s the exciting part; now for the daunting one. According to the Dublin Institute of Technology Campus Life Cost of Living Guide, students living away from home can now expect to spend more than €11,000 a year on student fees, rent, food and other costs. It’s never been more expensive to be a student.