Dear Ethel,
I’m broke! How am I going to get through to the end of semester? I’ve been staying at uni all day to catch up with assignments but it’s so expensive to buy food on campus. I’ve been living off rice balls but soon it will be nothing.
-From Hungry Harry
Dear Hungry Harry,
Ah, the old SGTS (Student Grumbly Tummy Syndrome). It is almost the time of year when SGTS is as rife as fresher ‘flu. If you managed to get some cash behind you over summer, it’s probably long gone and you’re down to the unrealistic amount Studylink expects you to healthily live on. George Orwell wrote that “hunger reduces one to an utterly spineless, brainless condition” (Down and out in Paris and London). I’m not sure about ‘spineless’ but the brain definitely functions best when we are adequately fed.
There are some practical things you can do to make most of your student dollars. Save by starting your day with a FREE breakfast at OUSA Clubs and Socs on Albany Street. Plenty of toast, spreads, tea and coffee to get you off to a good start. Clubs and Socs also host the world-famous $3 lunch, where you can get a hearty vegetarian meal, with loads of protein and carbs to keep you going through to whenever the next meal. Only $1 more if you want dessert. The fruit and veg stall on campus or Veggie Boys on Albany Street both have great deals.
If you’re broke and the flat pantry is bare, drop into OUSA Student Support Centre at 5 Ethel B and pick yourself up a FREE food pack. It’s simple fare but will tide you over for a few days. If you are feeling overwhelmed by financial worries, have a chat to an advocate there. They may be able to identify other sources of financial assistance, can set you up with a budget advisor (free, of course), and will help get you set for the longer term. They’re also great when it comes to flat budgets.
So, before you start dumpster diving or buying meat from the ‘pet food only’ section of Pak N’ Save, come and see us! Things shouldn’t be so tough that they suck all the joy out of life. If they are, we’ll do our very best to get you fed, warm and happy!
Whole lotta love,
-Ethel xox