Being a student on a budget is hard. I believe it gets even harder as we age. I got admitted to the Environmental Management and Policy Masters programme at Lund University this year, so I found myself moving from Delhi, India (one of the largest megacities of the world) to Lund (which seems quaint in comparison) at the age of 31.  I expected to have a tough time adjusting to a smaller city and new people and compromising on the quality of life I had before - while shrinking my expense budget drastically.  After just one semester, I am happily surprised by how much Lund has enriched my day-to-day life. Here are my 5 tips to have a fresh start in Lund as an older student!   1. Get a bike The last time I biked was 20 years ago!  In Delhi, I could never imagine biking on busy roads or going out alone at night. Needless to say, the idea of biking everywhere, all of the time, was quite strange at first. After just a few months, I cannot articulate my exhilaration every time I am on my second-hand, dented, trustworthy, red, two-wheeled companion! Biking has helped me add at least 30 minutes of cardio to my day, while also offering me a sense of independence and freedom whenever I want to step out. Not to mention this is one of the most sustainable ways of commuting. The biking infrastructure in Lund makes it quite easy to develop this habit (yes, even if you have never biked in your life!). My brand new second-hand bike. Biking culture is quite pervasive in Lund. 2. Cook at home At first, my motivation to cook at home was solely to save money. I live in a student corridor with 5 other people. One of the best things about this is that I get to learn and emulate their cooking habits while trying new foods!  Making food at home is healthier, it allows me to bond with my corridor mates, and has helped me expand my own cooking repertoire! Korean and German food cooked lovingly by my friends and one of the best meals I've had in ages. 3. Consume experiences, not things In Lund, I looked for unique experiences that I did not have access to before. For example, I can walk over during my lunch break and attend a concert at the Odeum (The LU Music Conservatory) and still be back in time for classes. Another big one was the Culture Night in September- this is NOT to be missed. Stargazing with ALVA (Astronomy Club) and the Astrophysics Department at Lund University 4. Thrift, borrow, dive One of the most difficult habits I had to break was to move on from the concept of owning new things. With so many thrift stores available in Lund, I do not need to do that. Most of the things in my room (like bedsheets, comforters, lights, and books) have been bought second-hand. I can also borrow very specific things like hair dryers or projectors from the Circle Center - a library of goods. While buying groceries, big stores like ICA and Willy’s also have specific sections for discounted produce which either looks ugly or is becoming dated. A big tip - foods like these are perfect for one-pot soups and desserts like crumbles which are great for communal meals! Some of my friends also dumpster-dive to save perfectly good food from going to waste.  Some of the thrift objects that deck my study stable. 5. Find your community Meeting amazing classmates, corridor mates, and other student ambassadors is a big part of why I feel so positive about my experience in Lund. I have learnt so many new things about different cultures, foods, and lifestyles- it has helped me to shape my own routines and habits. I find myself being a lot more selective about how I spend my time and money.   It is a lot easier to change your mindset and habits when you move to a new place. Our brains are open to receiving new information and cues to help us adapt to our new circumstances. If you are also in a position where you are rebuilding your life from scratch, I’d suggest using this opportunity to become more mindful and deliberate in how you spend your money and time. Lund makes it easy to do so!