It’s easy for your three, four or more years at university to fly by in a haze of nights out, fancy dress and (occasional) essays. In hindsight, many people wish they had done more with their university years. With a bit of thought and planning, you can get some valuable experience under your belt whilst also studying for your degree and come out of university with more than ‘just’ a 2:1.
1) Try something new
When you arrive at university, you’ll be inundated with opportunities to get involved in societies, events and trips. It can be tempting to continue with something you did at school or to join a society you know you’ll enjoy, but why not go beyond this and also do something new? Sometimes a random society or an impromptu university trip can offer you much more than you’d initially expect.
2) Consider opportunities abroad
Some courses offer the chance to study abroad, but even if your degree doesn’t offer this, why not consider doing an overseas study programme or an internship during the holidays? This can be a life-changing experience involving independent travel, meeting new people and gaining cultural intelligence. Ultimately, opportunities abroad can set you apart from other graduates who have studied the same subject as you.
3) Remain forward-thinking
Applying to universities required you to think months ahead as you plan your future. You should aim to continue this outlook throughout your degree, whether it means attending career events early on, considering a year abroad or planning extensive travel plans far in advance. Many graduate schemes, internships and overseas opportunities begin their recruitment cycles early (and some look for previous experience), so it can be easy to miss the boat if you get caught up in studying and university life.
4) Join more than just career-oriented societies
Clubs such as law societies and student newspapers offer fantastic vocational experience, but be wary of over-emphasising the importance of joining a career-related society for the sake of your CV. Get involved in societies you genuinely enjoy! Less ‘serious’ societies, such as fan clubs and food societies, carry equal merit if you’re involved in organising events and working in a team, and it also shows your personality. Societies like the ‘Chocolate Society’ or the ‘Game of Thrones Society’ are sometimes more likely to catch an employer’s eye than one that is common to all applications.
5) Stay motivated
Sometimes the stress of university can raise self-doubt, caused by an intense workload, grades, comparisons with other classmates or an unclear career plan. It’s important to stay motivated despite these pressures. Remember that it’s better to be challenged than to not be challenged at all!
6) Get off campus
Regardless of how convenient it might be to have everything on campus, allow yourself time to visit the surrounding area! Many graduates regret not exploring beyond the ‘campus bubble’. Visiting nearby towns or scenic areas can be a great way to avoid university stress and explore places you may not have the chance to visit again.
7) Study your interests
Regardless of which subject you study, some students find that their grades improve at certain points during their degree because they studied something that uniquely interested them. This may just mean choosing your modules wisely, or suggesting a personal essay title to your professor. For students doing a dissertation; tailor your research to something you’ll genuinely enjoy studying independently for several months.
8) Make use of funding support
Keep an eye open for any scholarships, bursaries or grants your university (or an external provider) offers students to help them succeed. These are often provided by the university’s careers department to support you with things like funding an internship or simply buying train tickets for an interview. There are also scholarships available to students wishing to study abroad. Looking out for these opportunities can help you achieve your goals by making finances less of a problem.
9) Stay in touch with the people you meet
Expanding your network by maintaining contact with other students, academics and visiting professionals can be helpful in the future. It’s often said that the friends you make at university are your friends for life, whether you end up living together, travelling together, or doing business together later in life!
10) Enjoy yourself
Above all, university offers you the freedom to be yourself, to meet interesting people and to get involved in things uniquely suited to you. So don’t waste this opportunity!