Between Books And Bills: How Students Are Coping With The Rising Cost Of Living And Their Academics

As the cost of living continues to rise across the country, students in higher institutions are facing increasing financial pressure.

What was once considered manageable has become a daily struggle for many young people trying to balance academics with the realities of survival.

?For many students, the challenge begins with feeding. The prices of food items have increased significantly, forcing students to adjust their spending habits. Some now skip meals, while others depend on cheaper alternatives to make ends meet.

 For Cedar Efe a  200 level student of Sociology Department at Delta state University. expressed her disappointment and frustration about the increase of things.

"I used to eat thrice a day, but now I sometimes eat twice or once a day.

The money my parents send is no longer enough because everything is more expensive, 1kg of gas is now 2,000 Naira."

Transportation is another major concern, especially for Students who live off campus. They often spend a considerable portion of their allowance on daily transportation. As transport fares continue to rise, many students have resorted to walking long distances to attend lectures , or sometimes Skip lectures.

According to wisdom a 300 students, of  Mass communication transportation costs have affected his attendance. 

"There are days when I have to choose between paying for transport and buying food. Sometimes I walk to school to save money, He said."

Similarly, Chinaza Oyemike, a 200-level student , at   Dennis osadebe university. also admitted the fact that due to lack of Funds, has sometimes been unable to  attend  lectures .

"There are times when I miss lectures, not because I don't want to attend, but because I cannot afford transportation, and I lived very far from school. it's quite frustrating and discouraging at the same time."

Beyond feeding and transportation, the economic situation has also affected students' academic performance.

To cope with these challenges, many students have now started running a small business within the school environment, while some have taken up Part-time jobs.While these activities provide additional income, they also reduce the amount of time available for studying and rest.

Some Lecturers have noticed the effects of these challenges on students. Dr Anthony,  a lecturer, in the Department of philosophy at Delta State University. explained that financial difficulties have a way of affecting students' participation and overall academic engagement.

"When students are constantly worried about money, it becomes harder for them to focus on learning, they might be physically present but they are absent minded" he said. "But Many are still trying their best under difficult circumstances to excel in their academics."

Parents are not left out in the current economic hardship , as they bear the responsibility of sponsoring their children's education and other needs.

Mrs. Tina Omoerhi,a businesswoman who lives in ughelli ,  said providing for her children has become increasingly difficult.

" I have two children in the university and I can say, the amount I spend on my children's education today is much higher than what it was a few years ago," she said. "Apart from school fees, I have to worry about feeding, transportation, accommodation, and other expenses. Sometimes, I am unable to send them as much money as they need."

Despite these difficulties, students continue to show remarkable resilience. Many have developed creative ways of managing their finances. Some share accommodation with friends to reduce rent costs, while others engage in small-scale businesses such as online sales, tutoring, hair making and so on, some even do home cleaning service just to make ends meet.

Student organizations and community groups have also stepped in to provide support through scholarships, food assistance programs, and educational resources. These efforts have helped ease the burden on some students, although many still struggle to meet their daily needs.

Despite these challenges, education still remains a priority for most students despite the challenges they face. 

As economic pressures continue to affect households across the nation, students hope that stakeholders in the education sector will introduce policies and programs that make learning more affordable and accessible. Increased scholarship opportunities, affordable accommodation, and transportation support could go a long way in helping students focus on their academic goals.

For now, students continue to navigate the difficult path between books and bills, determined not to let financial hardship stand in the way of their dreams.

Written by Rukevwe Felix

Author's Bio: Rukevwe Felix, 200-level Journalism and Media Studies student at Delta State University, Abraka.

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