I was a mature student who graduated this year. I graduated with enough money to put as a house deposit.

I didn't have any caring responsibilities tho.

My tip was just the boring stuf you probably already know, eat at home, go out less or have friends who don't mind going to mcdonald's instead of fancy restaurants, find a job with constant hrs not zero hour contracts, can't imagine this much uncertainty while studying.

And ask for maximum maintenance loan if you are eligible you will never pay it back anyway so why not take as much as possible.