SANCHIA CARLOS

Age: 19
Height: 5'8
Star sign: Leo
On the stereo: Ibiza Club Hits Volume 2
On the back: my fave low-cut clubbing top (not a lot)
On the lash: nothing like a Foster's Ice
On the plate: can't beat fish and chips
On the road: a cool little Capri (one day she'll have one)
Smokes: only when I'm out (in denial!)
On holiday: I've always wanted to see Australia
On the doormat: Mixmag
Part-time job: organised a speed dating night at the Union and made a mint and sell some jewellery to friends
Her take on the year: It's been ace. I've had loads of fun, spent and made lots of cash, and bonded with all kinds of people.
What's your favourite part of uni life? The eclectic mix of people.
And the worst? The amount of work - I thought uni was meant to be a doss!
What have you missed most? My three sisters - like mad. It's weird: when you live at home you can't wait to get away, but as soon as you're gone, you miss them with a passion.
What has been the greatest surprise? That people actually want to buy my jewellery! A lot of my sales are presents for other people, and I've managed to cash in on events like Mother's Day and Valentine's, making heart-shaped bracelets and necklaces for the occasion.
How have you coped with money? My little business has kept me afloat, though to be honest I've splashed out a lot too. I reckon I'm about level for this year - no profit, no loss, which is amazing considering how many people are in debt.
Top financial tip? Take advantage of every opportunity which comes your way. Be good to your mates. Work together. Look after them and they'll look after you.

Sanchia's Finances:

Good old Sanchia's got it all. Brains, brilliance and a perfectly balanced budget.

She's had a good time, but she's also grafted and done well selling some jewellery to her mates. She's becoming a right little Dame Anita Roddick with her little business-start-up-on-the-side (speed dating at the union). All those years when she and her school friends did Young Enterprise have paid off.

She doesn’t have to repay her fees until after graduation: If Sanchia earned £21,000 per year on graduation, she'd repay her student loan at a rate of £10.38 per week.

To work out a detailed budget use UNIAID's Student Calculator

Remember course fees for 'home' students don't have to be paid back until a student is earning over £15,000!