You might be a student in severe budget mode, but there are certain things you won't regret splurging on - both before you leave and while you're away.

Before you leave

• Ear plugs. Yes, ear plugs. They will become your best friend - trust me. They are the cheapest way to a good nights sleep anywhere.
• A good quality backpack
• A microfibre towel. It'll pack well and won't tear to shreds.

While you're away

• Expensive internet cafes are the best. Cheap ones have terrible connection speeds so it takes forever to do anything -and ends up costing more in the end.

• It might be better to stay somewhere slightly more expensive if it means you'll be much closer to the city attractions etc. That way you'll be saving money on transport and saving time!
  

• Use Google Earth to look at how far away from the centre/town a place is.

Experience this...

• Rome: Pay for the climb to the very top of the dome of St Peter's Cathedral In Rome. The views are totally worth it. We hung out on the roof for hours at sunset - awesome.
  

• Japan: Go skiing (or if you're anywhere that's snowing, for that matter).

• Ibiza: Dance on Bora Bora beach by day, and Pacha nightclub by night.

• Iceland: Do the  touristy day tour in Iceland: snow mobiling on glaciers + seeing tectonic plates all in one day was worth it.

• Nevada: See the Grand Canyon via helicopter. Just do it!
  

• Turkey: If you take the 12 hour bus all the way to Capadoccia, don't leave without paying for an amazing 5am balloon ride!
  

• Peru: Go to Machu Pichu, and bathe in the natural springs.

• New Zealand: Go sky-diving in Taupo, over the volcanos.

• UK: Take a ride on the London Eye.

• Boston: Take a Boston Duck Tour.

• Croatia: Hire a sailing boat for a week with your mates and see the islands.

• Barcelona: Pay for the tour of Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona.

• NY: Take in a Broadway play in New York City.