I've purchased several mechanical machines most for $30. or less. (sorry, one was $43.) They ALL work and do what they were intended for. No frills on most but they do have decorative stitches which I've found over the years I've never had much use for...(hope to change that soon)....one, a Singer, has letters for monogramming. I haven't tried it but that one was $35. Most of your sewing is probably straight stitching....since you are still in school, you could save $170-$370 and buy a garage sale find. If you choose that route, be sure they let you test it out. The ones I bought are 30+ years old...but still sew! Be sure also if you hit the garage sales that even if you don't see any machines out, ask if they have one for sale. I got one that was owned by a relative of the person have the garage sale.....they contacted them and the relative brought it over....I tried it out and it was fine. She just never did much sewing. A couple of machines that I bought were relatively clean for their age and they sew just fine. I've also gotten a couple of sergers....they too work! The very first machine I got at a garage sale was tagged $20.00...I got it for $18.00. It was a Brother that I think sold at Walmart for $79.00....v e r y basic.....it only has 10 stitches and has a buttonholer.....I got it because it was still in the box....and like I said....I really mostly only need it for straight stitching.....good luck with your search.....and.... if you have $400 squirrled away to purchased a new machine, again, consider the garage sale find and keep squirrling away your money for a really nice one one day. (bells and whistles are awesome!!)