A student’s guide to getting what you need without the price tag
Projects, practicals, events and moving hostels all come with costs. Here’s how smart students borrow instead of buy, and even earn from what they already own.
Seculate Team
Student life is full of one-off expenses that nobody warns you about. A final-year project that needs a better laptop or camera. A practical that requires special equipment. A departmental dinner that calls for an outfit you will wear once. A move to a new hostel that needs a van, a toolbox and extra hands. Each one is a small emergency for a tight budget.
Most students handle these moments the same way: borrow from a friend if you are lucky, spend money you don’t have if you are not. There is a smarter middle ground.
The “borrow first” mindset
Before you buy anything for school, ask one question: will I still use this regularly in six months? If the honest answer is no, borrowing or renting is almost always the better choice. It keeps your money free for the things that really matter, like fees, food, transport and data.
Things students commonly need for a short time:
- Laptops, tablets and scientific calculators for exams, projects or when your own device fails.
- Cameras, microphones, ring lights and tripods for media projects, content and events.
- Projectors and speakers for presentations, fellowship programmes and hangouts.
- Outfits and accessories for dinners, weddings, matriculation and convocation.
- Tools, trolleys and transport help when moving in or out of hostels.
How to borrow smart
- Plan ahead. Popular items get booked quickly around exam periods and events.
- Compare a few options nearby before you choose, and read the reviews.
- Agree dates, price and condition in the chat, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
- Inspect the item when you collect it and share photos in the chat.
- Return it on time and in good condition. Your reviews follow you, and a strong profile makes future borrowing easier.
Split it with your group
Working on a group project? Rent one set of equipment and split the cost between everyone. It’s often cheaper per person than a single textbook.
Turn your own stuff into pocket money
Here’s the part many students miss: you probably own things other students need. The camera you bought for a project. The speaker you use once a month. The dress or agbada from an event. The printer in your room. Listed on Seculate, these can earn you steady pocket money without taking time away from your studies.
You can start for free. The On Code plan lets you list up to 3 items a month at no cost, which is perfect for testing the waters. If demand is strong, the Active plan (₦500/month) lets you list up to 5 items.
Stay safe on and around campus
- Meet in busy, public places on campus, like the library entrance or faculty buildings, during the day.
- Check profiles, verification and reviews before you agree anything.
- Keep all chats and payments in the app, and never share one-time codes or passwords.
- Tell a friend where you are going when you meet someone new.
The smartest students don’t own everything. They know where to get anything.
Make your campus a sharing campus
Imagine if every student on your campus could access the laptops, cameras, tools and outfits already owned by the students around them. Fewer people would miss deadlines because of broken devices. Fewer would overspend on things they will use once. More would earn a little extra from what they already have.
That is what Seculate makes possible. Download the app, see what is available near your campus, and start saving and earning today. If you run a student association or campus group, get in touch through our Partners page. We would love to work with you.
Found this helpful? Share it with someone who could use it.
