KUCHING: City life may promise opportunity but for many university students, it is defined by the daily challenge of managing costs, academic demands and personal well-being in an environment that rarely slows down.
For students pursuing higher education in and around the city, these challenges are often felt in small, everyday decisions.
From budgeting meals and planning transport to balancing academic responsibilities with limited time and energy. While experiences may differ, many share similar struggles in adapting to the pace and cost of urban living.
Sarawak Tribune spoke to several university students on this.
For Griffson Noel, 24, a student at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM), adapting to city life has meant making practical sacrifices.
“The biggest challenge is that I either have to sacrifice my enjoyment time to save up for my important essentials like study materials.”
To keep expenses manageable, he relies on affordable campus meals, university transport and on-campus accommodation, which helps him avoid additional rental costs. These choices, he said, allow him to stay within budget while meeting his daily needs.
However, he admitted that the cost of getting around the city was something he had not anticipated.
“I didn’t expect that living in the city requires a lot of spending like transportation due to some places being far from campus,” he said, noting that distance between locations often adds to overall expenses.
Despite this, Griffson maintains a monthly budgeting system to control his spending and minimise unnecessary purchases.
“No, I don’t really struggle financially, because I tend to make a monthly budgeting for my expenses,” he said when asked if he struggles financially.
He added that saving does not necessarily mean missing out, as he sets aside money for occasional personal rewards and activities.
“Fun, because the money that I saved are used for self-reward and joining activities in the city.”
Similarly, Karen Leka, 24, a final year student studying English Global Communication at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, described city life as increasingly demanding, particularly with rising living costs.
Her daily routine revolves around lectures that begin as early as 8am and continue into the afternoon, followed by time spent on assignments and her final year project, which often extends late into the night.
“Recently, since I’ve started working on my final year project, my nights are often spent staying up late to draft and complete my research work.”
In addition to her studies, Karen works part-time to support her expenses, reflecting the growing need for students to supplement their income.
One of her main challenges is managing the cost of living.
“With food prices, transportation fares like Grab, and daily necessities becoming more expensive, saving money has become increasingly difficult.”
Although she receives financial support from her parents, she still sets a daily budget of around RM15 and reduces transport costs by sharing rides with friends.
She said city life was more fast-paced and financially demanding than she had expected, with expenses accumulating quickly.
There have also been instances where she felt overwhelmed, particularly when financial strain coincided with multiple assignment deadlines.
At times, limited funds made it difficult to sustain proper meals, while academic pressure added to mental and emotional fatigue.
Despite this, Karen has developed strategies to cope, including careful budgeting, part-time work and better time management.
“Budgeting daily expenses, planning transportation wisely, and learning to manage my time effectively have all helped me adapt.”
She described her experience as both challenging and rewarding, noting that it has helped her grow.
“It has pushed me to become more independent, responsible, and resilient.”
For Andrina Gabrieal, who is also a final-year Bachelor of Nursing student at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the challenges of city life are closely tied to academic and clinical responsibilities.
Her day typically begins with lectures at 8am and ends in the late afternoon, followed by time spent with friends or preparing for the next day.
As a final-year student, she said balancing her final year project alongside clinical postings has been one of her biggest challenges.
Managing expenses also requires careful planning, particularly for food, which she budgets on a weekly basis.
For transportation, she shares rides with her roommate and contributes to fuel costs as a more affordable alternative to ride-hailing services.
Although she has lived in the city her entire life, she noted the rising cost of living, especially for groceries, which can sometimes exceed her budget.
“There have been moments where I felt overwhelmed, especially during exam periods or when multiple assignments were due at the same time.”
To cope, she focuses on maintaining a routine that includes adequate rest, short breaks and spending time with friends to manage stress.
Despite the challenges, Andrina described her experience as a meaningful one, particularly as she approaches the end of her studies.
She said it has helped her become more independent and adaptable in managing both academic and daily responsibilities.
Taken together, these experiences reflect a shared reality among students navigating city life, where rising costs, academic pressures and daily responsibilities shape how they live and study.
While the city offers opportunities, it also demands constant adjustment, requiring students to develop resilience and discipline as they work towards their goals.
