If you wanted to get the software, and get it legally, student editions are excellent. Or even use the computer labs at your school. I am assuming that the design department you are in has a computer lab personally catered for you guys. The computer lab at OSU Design school is like me second home.
I don't know if you have come across
www.core77.com in your design career yet, but if not, now you have. Its an awsome resource.
