Being a doctor is a noble profession, but studying to become one is a long and tiring process, not to mention very costly. There are many changes and sacrifices you?ll have to make but some of the biggest ones will probably be related to your finances. Thinking about both your studies and your finances might be a bit difficult at the beginning, so here are a few suggestions that will help you get through the medical school with one less thing to worry about.
Set the budget and stick to it
Spend smart and save where you can
When organizing where your money should go, it?s important to focus on the important things first. Also, take into the account all the extra things you?ll need for your studies; if you know you?ll need some assistance ? passing your Medicine Admissions Test, for example ? set aside some money for a good and reliable UMAT tutor that will help you pass it with flying colors. You can also save some money on entertainment. For instance, next to all the studying, you probably won?t have much time for watching television, and you can find most of the shows and movies online anyway, so there?s no need to pay for cable. If there is a show or a football game that you simply have to catch live, most gyms and bars have a TV, so you can work out or grab a drink while watching your show. Another important thing to keep in mind is your student loan. You will likely need to pay at least double the amount you?ve borrowed during the four years of medical school, so if you can pay back even a bit right now, do so. Paying off your loan should be one of your priorities, so make sure to do it as soon as you can.
Make use of the technology
Don?t buy new things
Try not to buy new things unless you absolutely need them. This mostly goes for books since you can find most of them in your local library or online. You can borrow a book from the library if you need it for studying, or you can even buy somebody else?s; there are surely students who have finished their studies and want to sell their books. Speaking of which, you should do the same ? recycle your books after you no longer need them. You might not get much for them, but everything counts when you?re on a budget.