With the current economic situation it's harder than ever for "poor students" to be able to afford the basic necessities. But by following some basic guidelines year-to-year, you can avoid crushing debt that will haunt you all your life.

Secondary School

Even if it is only a modest amount, put away whatever money you can for university while you're still at school, because when you are eating beans directly from the tin in an unheated student flat every penny counts. Don't rely on your parents to do this. After the summer, universities can charge up to £3,225 in tuition fees, so it's wise to learn how to save up.

First Year

As soon as you have your matriculation card, you should set up a student bank account; this is one of the easiest methods of saving money. Most banks and building societies offer current accounts specifically aimed at students, with rates and terms that are on your side. The biggest thing to look out for is which account offers you the longest 0% overdraft facility. It is likely that your account will often be in the red, so it's important that as much of your borrowing as possible is interest free. But remember, the bank is watching how much you spend and so should you. Don't go over your overdraft limit!

Second Year

There's lots of small saving tips that, while only saving a little at a time, will make a difference overall. Get your groceries at cheap stores like Aldi or Lidl. Make yourself a packed lunch instead of buying food on campus. Look for cinemas or hairdressers that offer deals for students. If you're a drinker, think about which pubs you go to and the price of the drinks you're ordering; many pubs have cheap student nights or student discounts. Spend some time hunting for decent clothes in charity shops or discount stores like Primark or TKMaxx. And book your journey home as far in advance as you can to take advantage of early booking discounts.

Third Year

Always watch your budget carefully. Use internet banking and personal finance software to watch what you spend. Set yourself a budget and stick to it. If you're struggling with cash flow, there are resources at your disposable with more suggestions and guidelines on the information superhighway. We've mentioned before helpful websites run by UCAS and the Government.

Post Graduate

Whether you're returning to Uni for further study or entering the workplace, you're not out of the woods yet. The Financial Services Authority, or FSA, dedicates a lot of resources to dealing with student debt, and have recently set up a student saving tips website to help.  You have to start paying back your loan once you are earning either £1,250 a month or £288 a week. 9% of your income is taken until your debt is repaid, but if your circumstances change and you earn less than £15,000 in a year, you can ask for your repayments to be refunded.