The Sustainable Student – Creating Good Habits

As the Autumn term is in full swing, for many students getting to grips with student life is starting to come together a little more. However, with all the excitement, you may need reminding of how to make your study experience more sustainable. Here are a few good habits to keep both as a student and in the future….

• Energy – now you have got your own space, use it efficiently for you. Only keeps lights on when in your room and only when needed, only use heating systems when necessary and turn off plugs and chargers when appliances hit 100%. Building this habit now will make life much more affordable when it’s you who has to pay the bills!
• In the bag – whether it’s for lectures or every day, keep a reusable water bottle, hot drinks cup and other reusable items you need with you, to avoid getting caught out when you fancy that post-study session latte. Then simply pick up your bag and you’re good to go, no last minute rush🎒

• Food – getting used to doing the big shop is an adulting must-do activity, so try and maximise the shop and the cost by creating batch cooked meals and eating more plant-based meals. Buying less meat makes shops a lot cheaper while cooking big meals and reusing leftovers helps cut down the amount of meal ideas you need to create for each week. Win-win!
• Recycling – spend a little time learning the recycling system in your new area, if you have moved away to study. You might be able to recycle more than you think, such as having on campus or Terracycle initiatives nearby. In addition, work on reducing the amount of waste you create and see where you can change, such as buying loose veg in reusable mesh bags, and reduce the amount of times you have to deal with the bins……
• Community – get involved in local environmental projects, such as litter picks and campaigns, and discover sustainable elements to your new surroundings if somewhere different, including where the nearest waste-free shop is, to top up the pasta supplies of course.

Sometimes these actions can take a little while to learn, but get in the habit now and you’ll be on your way to a more sustainable adulthood. Hopefully these tips can help you get started in saving a bit of money, and add up to saving the planet. Happy sustainable studying! 📚