An Idiot's Guide To Cheating Your Way Through College Life (Exams Not Included)

Cheating is bad, sure, we get that, but us lovely folks (and so modest too) over here at College Times know that sometimes, well, a little life cheating is necessary in order to get through the live long day. Now, I'm not suggesting that you cheat your exams or cheat on your other half or whatever, oh no. No, we were thinking more along the lines of everyday cheats, cheeky little things that'll aid your daily living and make it all a lot more manageable. Here's an idiot's guide to cheating your way through college life:

Lecture attendance not taken? Well then...

Ok, I know from my own, Arts degree experience that if you don't have to be in a lecture then it's very difficult to drag your hungover ass out of bed, but you'll literally hate yourself six months down the line when you're sitting in the library crying over your failed life. Instead, try and get a classmate more useful than you at life to record the lecture or, failing that, some colleges actually podcast their lectures. Extra sleep with no fail rate? Yeah, you're welcome.

Hidden pride, secret naggin.

I'm not all that proud of admitting this one, but sometimes, a sneaky naggin on a broke night out can both save you some cold, hard cash dollah and also a severe cash of FOMO. Upgrade to a hip flask and you can, at least, pretend to be somewhat classy....

Whatsapp class groups will be your note saving grace...

We're all familiar with the joys of using Whatsapp for organising the next night out with the girls or whatever, but think of it a little like a tool and it'll help you out of many's a sticky situation. With 48, you'll have unlimited messaging, that's right, UNLIMITED. Get setting up some Whatsapp groups for class and keep on top of assignments due, class parties and whatever else may be necessary.

YouTube is basically a free college anyway...

This isn't quite as useful for those of you studying more textbook heavy courses, but for those in any practical based ones, YouTube tutorials can quite literally teach you anything you need to know and more- who even needs college anyway? Un-real!

'Forget' to clean up before a known clean freak comes to visit.

Now, as a self-proclaimed clean freak of sorts myself, this one physically hurts to even joke about, but alas, it works a bloody treat. Invite your cleanest friend slash parent slash older sibling to come over for tea and then simply sit back and relax as they mentally have a full blown shit-fit and scrub the place from top to bottom. Sneaky or whaa?

Coincidentally arrange Tinder dates around the food in your fridge.

Oh, I'd love to meet up tonight but I have a full pack of rashers just looking at me in the fridge and I simply must eat them. Oh, look at that, I have nothing but dry pasta awaiting me tomorrow, fancy some pizza? Look, it's perfectly acceptable and you should treat yourself (or, more relevant, let someone else treat you), from time to time.

Charge up as many devices as you possibly can in college.

You've paid the fees, right? Then surely, surely you deserve to use all the facilities possible? Correct. Bring those chargers into college and ensure you've got the laptop, phone, camera, electric toothbrush (maybe not) and whatever else charged up to the max and ready to go because after all, electricity is expensive and ain't nobody got no time for that.

Need free booze? Organise a massive house session...

Hear me out. You're a student, you're clearly going to have a session at some stage anyway and obviously, it's going to be BYOB . Next time you're in a need of some booze, organise a whopper session with the housemates, throw in a tenner each for mixer and some cups and then sit back and watch as the masses come bearing far more alcohol than could ever be consumed in one night. Wake up the next day and get collecting those full to the brim bottle, my friends. WOO!

Use your phone to blag as much free stuff as possible.

We're all familiar with hashtagging our breakfast and sending hideous Snapchats to one another, but what if I told you that you could use these procrastination stations as a way of getting free stuff? First thing is to get on board with and start following the right type of pages and people, all in the name of competitions, shout outs, or even being sent some freebies (if you're good enough). With the likes of 48 now asking students to try and blag as many freebies and to complete simple tasks all in the name of tickets, free food (like Just Eat vouchers, for example...) or free credit, it's quite literally never been easier.

Come up with some cheats within your house.

For example, if you're unsure of how to use a saucepan but your housemate is basically Jamie Oliver, then arrange to do the shopping if they cook, or whatever it is that works best for you. Hey, at least shit gets done this way  and you probably hate life less too- winner winner, someone else's stir-fried chicken dinner.

Speaking of your house....

....It can be expensive to run a house (or if nothing else, to live in a house). So be crafty my little petals. Borrow the internet from the neighbours (what, we'll give it back...), college bathrooms usually have excessively large amounts of toilet paper, plastic cutlery from the college restaurant is great for when you're not bothered with washing up, someone always has an older sibling with a Netflix password to spare and hello there, parents, just back for a visit with an empty suitcase because I love you both and not because I have an overwhelming desire to rob all of your food. Nifty and thrifty, that's you.

Use the absolute life out of your student card now while you can.

It won't last forever, unless, of course, you happen to be from one of those wonderful colleges where they find no need to put an end date on your card (well jel). So, while you have your discount now you may as well just use it to the absolute fullest of its ability. 20% off is a bloody lot, in fairness. Forget the clothes,  what are you, rich? Think of those food discounts, think of the toiletries and the joyous smell of new shampoo, think...ok, I'll stop now.

Befriend someone with a car (or failing that, someone who lives near town).

It can be tricky when you don't have a car and, as a lot of you are probably used to, when you're forced to live about 17 miles away from college and pubs and basic existence with your parents during college in a futile bid to save money and blah blah blah. So, here's a major cheat tip, befriend a car buddy, you know, someone who actually possesses the ability to transport you around the place like a precious jewel, or, even better, befriend someone who lives right amidst all of the town center action. Hellllllllllllo no taxis, I am finally free (kind of).

Finally, put all of that internet browsing to good use, once and for all...

...By doing some money saver, life cheating worthy hints and tips, that is. Like, did you know, for example, that if you join 48, you get a free sim, a months free credit if you sign up in May/June, unrivaled price plans and value for money with none of the commitment and best of all, a direct line to some of the best cheats and giveaways for students possible via their social media channels (Snapchat's a big one), made all the more accessible for customers just like you. Did someone say #CheatAtLife...?

For these and other tips to how to cheat at life. go to the 48 Facebook page.