Stream Savvy: How students can save on streaming during COVID-19

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Stream Savvy:  How students can save on streaming during COVID-19

By Marz Anderson

The world has become more dependent on the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students not only attend class online, video chat with friends and family, but we stream music and TV too. What presents a challenge is the ability to save money during a pandemic due to loss or lack of employment. The Voice is all about providing students with notable information, so we have gathered a list of student discounted streaming services to help students save during this tough time. Now is a great time to find your student email, you will be needing it. 

Everyone should be aware of streaming services like Netflix and Apple Music. Due to national stay at home orders and shutdowns, movies have premiered in living rooms rather than on the silver screen. Additionally, COVID has left many Cuyahoga County residents unemployed. According to Fox 8 Cleveland, the unemployment rate stands at 12.9 percent, the highest in the state.  

Sierra Germany-Warith, photo courtesy of Ramathmizpeh Warith

COVID-19 has given many colleges and universities in Ohio the tough decision to reopen their campuses for either hybrid online and in-person classes or remote distance learning. Colleges like Miami University, Ohio University, and Kent State have seen a spike in cases since the fall semester began. As of late September, Portage County declared a level three risk for COVID. In an email from Compliance & Risk Management Tri-C reports only 19 cases of COVID-19 on campus with three of the exposures being in the current fall semester, the latest at Westshore. In June, Tri-C reported the death of 23-year-old Sierra Germany-Warith. The optical technology student contracted the virus during the pregnancy of her second child. Warith suffering from chronic asthma was unable to endure childbirth, leaving behind her husband and two children. She will be greatly missed. 

Roger Garrett, photo courtesy of Roger Garrett

Tri-C’s student body is made up of both traditional students just out of high school, and non-traditional students who work full-time while taking classes or who have even waited several years to attend college. Roger Garrett, a non-traditional Associate of Science student and father of one is facing his own set of challenges during the pandemic. “Tri-C is doing their best to keep everyone safe, but extra steps need to be taken, professors need more interaction with students, some give you material and go,” Garrett says.  “We need lectures, not just tutorials, YouTube videos, and tutors for higher-level math courses when you’re on a science route because it’s no joke.” Garret says Tri-C has provided resources for students like the CARES ACT funds and PCs for People. However, there are things that they cannot substitute.  

Students both traditional and non-traditional need resources to complete their journey here at Tri-C. It’s not only about the resources that can be provided to you, but what you go out and seek for yourself. Attempting to complete classwork at home can be stressful in addition to raising children who are also attending school online or attempting to save money due to COVID related layoffs. Some small rewards during these trying times are those guilty pleasures of reality TV and a music library that goes back decades. After a long day of classes, binge-watching one of your favorite shows or listening to K. Michelle can help keep you in the fight to complete your degree. Thanks to a little help from CollgeInfoGeek.com here is a complete list of student discount streaming services.  

Amazon Prime + Prime Video 

Amazon offers students a 6-month free trial of their Prime service which is then just $6.49 a month. This includes free two-day shipping for eligible items, Amazon Prime Video with shows like The Boys and Carnival Row starring Orlando Bloom. Students also get access to Prime Music playlists and stations and have access to unlimited photo storage through Prime Photos.  

Spotify + Hulu + Showtime 

According to CNET.com Spotify is currently the best music streaming service of 2020. It should come as no surprise, being one of the longest-running and constantly developing companies. What is more surprising is that Spotify offers a three-service bundle with Hulu and Showtime. Did I mention the first 3 months are free? After that, the services combined are $4.99 monthly. Hulu offers primetime shows with limited commercials, which is pretty good considering the price. Showtime has different movies, as well as their original drama series “The Chi”, and more.  

Apple Music + Apple TV+ 

Honestly, we know anything iPhone below an iPhone 7 barely has any storage. So if that is the case for you, then for only $4.99 a month your college email lets you listen to all your favorite music and celebrity shows and interviews like Nicki Minaj’s Queen Radio. For the aspiring broadcast journalist, check out the Apple TV+ drama series “The Morning Show” starring Jenifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell.  

Disney+ ESPN+ + Hulu 

Disney+ launched almost a year ago back in November of 2019. Adults and kids alike can find something to watch on the app. Throwback Disney shows like Darkwing Duck or That’s So Raven can be found on Disney+. Throw in a bunch of Marvel films, and a bunch of shows from Hulu, and it’s a great deal. Sports games are now at limited capacity so catch games at home with ESPN+. This three-app bundle comes in at only $12.99 a month.  

Sling TV+ 

This last one is more of a deal than a discount. Sling TV is an ala carte streaming service that allows you to pick a bundle of your favorite live TV channels starting at only $30 a month. Bundle channels like Newsy with Bravo. Also, add premium channels like HBO, Showtime, and Epix. Sling is the ideal service for those who prefer live TV over typical Netflix and Hulu streaming. If you prefer watching music videos, get channels like Revolt TV & BET Jams.  

Learning to budget will always be important, and this pandemic has pushed people to take life a little more seriously. We must prepare ourselves for whatever the future holds. It could start with saving on streaming but will not stop there.  Unfortunately, the only thing free here is the information. However, Tri-C does offer free drive-up COVID-19 testing in partnership with Care Alliance. Get tested, and keep the ones you love safe. For more information on COVID-19 drive-up testing on your campus visit tri-c.edu/covidtest. If you have symptoms or have been diagnosed, do the right thing, and notify risk.management@tri-c.edu. Stay safe and stay distanced.  

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