conversation: User (Huhimmy): "I'm currently a freshman at college majoring in industrial design and living on campus. I know that STEM is where it's at but I don't really have an interest in any of the fields. My goal is to graduate without debt, be employable (have internships done), and if possible have some money saved up.\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nRight now I have $3,600 in the bank and $2k in cash. I'll have to pay around $2-3k a year for college after scholarships and haven't taken out any loans. My parents are supportive but they don't want to pay this. The first semester this year has been fully covered with $500 surplus which I can put into savings I think, but I'm not sure how next semester will be. Here are some expenses I'm worried about.\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\n**Meal plan**: Right now I have a $1,900 a semester unlimited meal plan which is one of the more expensive ones. It's convenient to not have to worry about food but depending on what my scholarships look like next semester I might switch to a cheaper one. The cheapest is $800 a semester for 5 meals a week. There's a kitchen at my residence building that I can cook in and events that I can get free food at about 1-2 times a week. Worried about how I'll make this work though.\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\n**Computer**: I have a laptop that works fine for homework and things but I learned from the upperclassmen that I'll need to get a PC for studio next year. You can either pay the school $2k to get the computer for you or get your own. They recommend paying the school because you'll also get all of the 3D modeling/Adobe software that we need for free, whereas with your own computer you'll have to figure out how to get them on your own. I have a year to prepare for this but $2k is steep for me and I was not planning to buy a computer anytime soon. Does this sound like a rip off or not?\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nI'm hoping to get a job or internship in the summer. Any financial advice is appreciated.\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\n&amp;#x200B;"
  Self: "You have a PC in the form of your laptop unless it is a Macbook.  If it is a PC what is the issue with using it other than getting the software?"
  User (Huhimmy): "We get our own studio spaces and it's like required to get a computer for it. I really don't want to buy a new computer so I think I'll either use my laptop or bring a computer from home. I'm just not sure how well it'll run the programs. I know Adobe is super easy to pirate and it can't be that expensive to buy the other software. Also we have computer labs at our school with all of the software so I can just do work there if necessary."
  _kuddelmuddel_ (_kuddelmuddel_): "&gt;I'm just not sure how well it'll run the programs.\n\nMany of the programs you might need probably have a student edition for free or heavily discounted. They may also have subscription service where you pay per month or year or whatever for access that you lose when the time period is up unless you renew. If you only need the program for a set amount of time, this might be the way to go (obviously price it out though).\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nAs for how well it runs the programs, look at the specs the program requires and make sure your laptop meets them. That should be all you need."
  