If we’re keeping it 100% real, travelling is usually the last thing on your mind when you’re a student. I’d know this, as I was once in this position a few months ago. With the assignments piling up and never-ending tests, going on vacation feels almost impossible.

Something I’ve realized though, is that travelling doesn’t have to be expensive and extravagant in order for you to have a good time– a student budget probably wouldn’t allow this anyway – but can simply be booking an Airbnb 30 min away from your place and just having the time of your life.

Now, you might be asking yourself why do you even need to travel when you have so much going on? The answer lies in the question itself – you have a lot going on! Time-out from your books, people and just everything, in general, can make student life and all the anxiety that comes with it more bearable.

Here are my top 3 reasons why students should travel more:

1. It significantly lowers your stress and anxiety levels

Majority of university students, if not all, go through recurring phases of high stress and anxiety levels. Academic pressure and living away from home are amongst the many reasons for this. Taking time off allows you to unwind and re-focus on the bigger picture.

2. Gaining a new perspective

Travelling and experiencing new things allows you to see everything from a different perspective. Meeting other people from different walks of life and seeing how different their lives are from yours can change the way you view your life. This can help you re-evaluate your values and grow as a person.

3. You gain confidence

Planning and successfully completing a trip makes you feel independent and boosts your confidence tremendously. These are 2 essential traits you will need once you graduate and face the world as an adult

Here are some quick tips on travelling on a student budget

1. Sign up on Airbnb with my link to get R600 off your first booking
2. Book a spare room in someone’s house on Airbnb instead of an entire apartment.
3. Book a room in a backpacker lodge
4. Plan well in advance to get discounted prices on your accommodation
5. Take advantage of student discounts
6. Travel with a group of friends
7. Consider travelling by bus
8. Share your Airbnb referral link to earn travel credit
9. Avoid travelling during peak time – these include school holidays, long weekends, etc.
10. Search for free activities and attractions offered where you’re going to

Taking time off regularly will have positive long-term effects on not just your studies but on your overall wellness too. Remember, investing in travel is like investing in education – the results are intangible but extremely valuable.

HAPPY TRAVELLING! 🙂