Many people dread their final year at university. But, actually, it has the potential to be the best of the lot. Your busy social calendar of first year is truly behind you. And the slight sense of aimlessness that can creep in during the second year should also be a thing of the past. So consider yourself free to get stuck into your studies and spend your free time doing the things you love. This is your opportunity to really enjoy everything university life has to offer.
Here are five tips to help you make the most of it.
It’s now or never
As a final-year student, and grown-up, you probably now have a much clearer idea of who you are, what you’re interested in, and how you most like to spend your free time. So it might be worth revisiting all those clubs and non- academic activities you last encountered during fresher’s week and, with your older, wiser head on, seeing if any of them take your fancy. Abseiling? The Film Society? The University Choir? It’s not too late to get involved.
Think about your future
The final year of university is an important one. But so are the years that will follow it. If you haven’t already, start giving it some serious thought and ask yourself the right questions to help you figure out your career options. Now is the perfect time to explore potential career paths and find opportunities that might be suitable for you.
Don’t leave it too late to revise
Without careful planning and using effective revision techniques, some students avoid starting till just a few weeks before finals. In this case, it could hit you at the last moment, the realisation that it’s too late to learn everything you need to. And before you know it, your time at university comes to an end. The moral of this story is: start revising well in advance. It will save you a lot of anxiety in the long run. It also makes the process more enjoyable, as you will have time to gain a true understanding of the material rather than just desperately cramming information into your mind.
Give yourself a break
Yes, you will need to do some serious studying in your final year. But there will still be plenty of opportunities for you to relax and have fun. In fact, it’s essential for your physical and mental wellbeing that you do. So you mustn’t feel guilty about going out with friends, or having a game of Ultimate Frisbee, or setting aside an entire day to watch your favourite programme. It will also help you if you exercise regularly and eat well, remember the fresher you are for your studies, the better you will learn.
Keep things in perspective
If you didn’t achieve the final result you wanted, you must not be disappointed, Results are important, however many employers are also interested in what other activities and societies you have been involved with at university. So if you got a 2:1 rather than a first – it is not the end! Be sure to include all of your involvements on your CV.
If you’re looking for something special to do after university, why not check out our graduate management trainee programme.