The student
Tim the economics student, Leicester.

Hi I'm Tim, I'm 18, I go to the University of Leicester and I study Economics. Economics is something I've always really liked. I did it at A-Level after doing Business Studies at GCSE and I just really enjoyed it. I just thought it was very interesting; current affairs, something I really liked doing. Exams coming up soon so I guess I'm hitting the books quite hard- a lot of revision and hopefully, yeah, get some good grades as well.

Everything so far - tuition fees, housing rental, everything's paid for so far by my parents. I do work as well - I have a part-time job when I come home over the holidays so I try to contribute as much as I can. I have a pretty laid back lifestyle to be honest. I wouldn't say I go out every night of the week but I go out quite a lot, I have a lot of fun. Socialising is an important part of my life at uni and that does come with its spending as well. Alcohol isn't free and going out isn't free and yeah, you just have to spend.

The good thing about being at university, being a first year, is I've got another three years to go so by then, hopefully the economic climate would have improved as Mr. Darling does say it will do.

Obviously it is quite scary thinking I'm going to come out of university with debts for student loans, how am I going to get these paid for? The problem with the student loan is I'm really not too certain about what the best deal is, how to go about getting it.

Students these days, we have a lot on our hands in my opinion. I was considering buying a house with some friends. That way you're not really spending - there's no [.....] cost into rent. Yeah, so house prices falling would be good because they're cheaper.

I personally have no experiences in mortgages or any of that sort of stuff so yeah, talking to a bank would be excellent to be honest. I do my banking online. Banking with Lloyds TSB, I do feel I have a little bit more confidence in my bank rather than some other banks. Such a big-name brand can, obviously with a takeover of HBOS and things; it does seem as if Lloyds TSB is going to be there in the future.

Having a degree in Economics, I'm hoping its going to set me up quite well for when I get out into the real world. It's a little daunting coming to think of it, yeah, nine o'clock until five. What with everything that's going on, everyone losing their jobs I think, someone with no experience, how are they going to get into the sectors but yeah, just take it as it comes really. There's nothing we can really do about it. Hopefully the Government can play a role in making the economic climate a little bit better for us students when we get out of university. Although, when I do get out of university, I am going to have to get a job anyway so I'll have to get there any way I can.