As a final year student, I feel like I have gained a lot of knowledge over the past few years about how to live the ‘student life’. With Freshers week out the way and first year of University so close for so many, I thought I would make a quick post, giving some of my advice!
CV & PERSONAL STATEMENT
One tip that I would give to freshers is to create a draft of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) as soon as possible! When starting University, you’re going to be constantly updating how much work experience and voluntary work you’ve done and it will definitely give you a competitive advantage amongst your year group. Personal statements are short paragraphs or documents that explain why you would be the most suitable candidate for the specific job you’re applying for, and this will differ from job to job…but they’re definitely important documents to think about.
2. MAKE A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT
I thought that I would add this as a tip because I didn’t realize how useful it would be for finding opportunities during my University experience, and to gain contacts which could be helpful in the future. Think of LinkedIn as a professional version of Facebook but for professionals, students and people looking for full time or part-time jobs, voluntary roles/opportunities and work placements. You can also upload and update your personal details including where and what you’re studying, and work experiences you’ve completed; (paid or unpaid) but also just to connect with other students and professionals in the industries that you want to go into, getting that advice and knowledge from those who have already been in your position.
3. TALK ABOUT YOURSELF
University is a stressful time for most, but one piece of advice I would give to first-year students is to try and speak openly about yourself! It’s fine to be slightly reserved until you get comfortable with your ‘new crowd’, but definitely try not to shy away from conversations. When I was a first-year student, I initially found it difficult to make conversations with people, but after about a week, I was making friends more easily because I just thought there’s nothing to lose and I didn’t want to be alone in my room 24/7.
4. SCHOOL LIFE/EXPERIENCE
I like to think University as an ‘upgrade’ from Secondary school and whether or not you start your course with people you know, you will most certainly bump into people you recognize from back home! Simple conversation starters can include what subjects you did at GCSEs/A Levels, favorite subjects etc…and you could end up bumping into old friends!
5. DON’T FORGET TO BUDGET
University is most certainly a stressful time for all students, and having to think about money is definitely something you don’t want to have to do. As a student, think about budgeting yourself for how much you spend weekly on alcohol, food, socials etc (as well as making sure you’re able to pay your rent because you don’t want to fall behind on that)!!
6. INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH/STUDYING
One of the mistakes I made during the first year was not utilizing my time effectively and focusing too much on ‘the sesh’. Something I would say is that you should definitely have as much fun as you can because the first year is the year to explore, experiment and have fun before the hard work kicks in! Try and catch up with work during your spare hours, because it will ease the stress, rather than leaving all of the work till the last minute.
7. ASPIRATIONS & GOALS FOR THE FUTURE
No matter what course you’re doing, you should try and always be thinking about what you want to do after university or at least what industry you want to go into, so that you can start planning for your future!
8. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
University is the time for you to try as many things as you can, and making mistakes in key! The more you get wrong and learn during your first year, the more likely you are to succeed in your future years! Don’t be scared to try something new, and everyone is in the same boat so there’s no judgment.
9. BE THE REAL YOU
My final tip would be to just be the real you. Try not to act like someone else or fake your personality, because people will notice your insincerity almost straight-away and they won’t want to be friends with you.
10. GET STUCK IN Get involved with as many opportunities and societies as possible as you are only a first-year student once!
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