The fresher checklist - 10 things you need to survive the first semester

So you got through your A-Levels or college, and you managed to get accepted on to your dream university course – things are feeling really great right now! If you are starting university soon and are leaving home for the first time, you are probably starting to wonder how on earth you are going to fit 18 years of your most prized possessions into your new tiny uni bedroom. Don’t fear, we have compiled our top 10 items you need to survive your first semester!

1. An alarm clock

Gone are the days when your parents were on hand to kick you out of bed and bring you a cup of tea of the morning. The baton has now officially passed to you to get yourself up and out the door, on time! An alarm clock will become your new best friend (or worst enemy). You don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with your lecturers and tutors by missing your classes!

2. A new pencil case (with all the trimmings)

I’m pretty sure that stationary was never at the top of your shopping list, but get to uni and everyone is whacking out the gel pen collections, piles of post-it notes and oh so many rainbows of highlighters! You will have to get really good at organising yourself if you want to keep on top of your workload – so get down to WHSmith and invest well in a really good stationary collection.

3. A pack of cards

You will learn more card games in your first two weeks of uni than in your whole life so far. Be prepared and bring a pack of cards with you. Your housemates will thank you for it, and you can get some practice in to avoid the loser drinks!

4. A dressing gown (or onesie) and slippers

For those far-too-often 3am fire alarms (yawn).

5. An easy-peasy recipe book

You don’t want to live off super noodles and chicken nuggets all year; it gets old. Get experimenting with some easy and cheap recipes; you might surprise yourself at your cooking skills!

6. Some ear plugs

Believe me, you won’t want to party every night…no, really! When you have that early start, group presentation and 5 hour library marathon tomorrow, and your flat have decided to start the sixth round of ring of fire, these will come in handy.

7. A classic fancy dress outfit

Monday you’re a pirate, Tuesday you’re Tom Cruise in Top Gun, Wednesday you’re head to toe in UV…by the weekend you might even become a rubix cube! The fancy dress will be endless. Get some staple fancy dress items early and avoid the dreaded Primark run to buy face paint and a blow up parrot two hours before you’re supposed to meet at the union for your first social.

8. One of those colour catchers (and 2 in 1 detergent)

You can put off doing your own washing for a couple of weeks, but the day of reckoning will come! Avoid turning all your whites bright pink with a pack of handy colour catchers. And don’t forget the 2 in 1 washing tablets.

9. Mum’s medicine box

Beware the dreaded fresher’s flu. Be prepared with a handy medical supply from home and avoid having to trek to the pharmacy when you are feeling really rough.  

10. A diary

You are going to be invited to lots of socials, nights out and university events in your first semester. You will also have to start juggling multiple deadlines for your course modules. Keep on track with all of the dates and deadlines with a good diary.

Good luck!

5 tips for making friends during freshers’ week

Hi I'm Charlotte, a current editorial intern at GTI Media (the parent company of TARGETjobs). The time has come where you are probably buying pots and pans, searching Facebook for your new flatmates and getting very excited at the prospect of going to university and freshers’ week. I'm going into my final year at university, so have been there, done that and got the t-shirt. I know meeting new people and moving away from home can be daunting, so check out my five top tips for making friends during freshers’ week.

1. Get involved.

During freshers’ week (or freshers’ fortnight, as many universities have) there are lots of events to get involved with, from nights out to poster sales. Go along to the events with course mates, flatmates or anyone else you have bumped into. There will be Facebook events where you can see the nights out that your Student Union has planned for your first week or two, so buy tickets. You don’t necessarily have to buy tickets for every night, but if you arrive and your entire flat is going out, you’ll probably want to go (trust me). Even if a night out isn't your thing, go along to the freshers’ fair, pots and pans sales, and explore campus – you’re bound to bump into other freshers or students.

2. Buy a doorstop.

Chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time with your flatmates, certainly in the first few weeks while you’re settling in. Buy a door stop! This welcoming gesture will mean your fellow flatmates can introduce themselves while you unpack and people are more likely to say hello and chat to you.

3. Join societies and clubs.

Clubs, societies and extracurricular activities are a great way to meet people who have similar interests to you. Whether you are a football fanatic, you love cocktails, or you are obsessed with Harry Potter, there will probably be a club or society that you can join. Go along to the freshers’ fair and sign up for everything that interests you, as many clubs and societies will have taster sessions.

The clubs and societies you join in your first year can really help your CV. Check out TARGETjobs’ article on how to gain work experience from extracurricular activities. 

4. Smile.

It may sound obvious, but smiling will make you seem much more approachable! Smile and talk to everyone – you never know, these people could be your life-long friends.

5. Relax and be yourself.

You’ll meet lots of people during the first few weeks at university – some will be shy, some will be confident, and some will rarely venture out of their room. Just remember: everyone is in the same boat. Most of you have moved away from home and are probably in a new area. Be yourself, don’t worry and be confident that you will make friends. It’s true what they say: university really is some of the best years of your life!

Article written by Charlotte Wharf, TARGETjobs Editorial Intern. Connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn. 

A students’ guide to making the most of freshers’ fairs

Hi I’m Lizzie, an intern at GTI Media (the parent company of TARGETjobs). This month marks the beginning of an exciting time for thousands of students across the UK; the start of university. If you are starting university this month, no doubt you will soon be attending a freshers’ fair. I’m about to go into my third year of university, so as someone who’s been to freshers’ fairs two years running I’m happy to share what I’ve learned and how to make the most of them!

Freshers’ fairs are a great part of introducing you to uni, and can help set you up for the whole year. The exact kinds of fairs will differ between universities, but there are usually at least two – one for companies to come in and talk to students, and one for societies and sports teams to enrol you into their groups if this is something that interests you. There are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of these fairs.

Get all the freebies.

Local companies visit to show you what shops and businesses are in town and promote themselves to their new potential customers. Don’t ignore them; they are great for handing out discount cards and freebies – both of which prove very useful as the year goes on! Plus there’s almost always free pizza on the way out, so lunch is sorted.

Don’t stick with your friends.

Turning up to the fairs with your friends might make you feel more comfortable, but you need to branch out on your own. Your friends won’t share all of the same interests as you, and you may feel embarrassed or awkward asking them to wait for you whilst you go to talk to people at various stands. Going at it alone means you can spend as long as you like walking round, you won’t feel embarrassed signing up to stuff they’re not keen on, and there’s no pressure to sign up to what your friends want to do.

Don’t be embarrassed.

At school it always felt crucial to fit in and try and seem ‘cool’, and not have any interests outside of the ordinary. University is so different. There’s no such thing as ‘cool’ and ‘uncool’ – you can literally walk around campus in a teletubbies onesie and people won’t even bat an eye. Don’t be afraid to sign up to a society you think people might judge you for, because genuinely no one will. Do you like circus skills? Disney? Anime? Hip hop dancing? Rock climbing? Acting? Writing? Computer games? Great, there’ll be societies for those – and about a hundred more options if you look for them.

Sign up to everything you think you’ll like.

Realistically you won’t have time to commit to more than a few societies, volunteering groups or one sports team if they meet every week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try a number of things out. Most societies have one or two introductory meetings which are free to attend, so you can see if it’s your cup of tea before you pay your joining fee. Don’t worry about attending the free meeting and then deciding against joining; the whole point of having it is to give you this choice!

There’ll be so many different societies to pick from, I definitely encourage freshers to sign up to at least one – it’ll open the door to making so many new friends and giving you some great new experiences, as well as gaining transferable skills to put on your CV. Societies are one of the most fun parts of being at uni, don’t miss out!

TARGETjobs will be attending a number of freshers’ fairs this autumn, so if you see any of the team make sure you say hi. You can get set up on the mailing list so you’re always in the know about job, placement, and internship opportunities as and when you need it.

This autumn, TARGETjobs will be attending the following fairs:

• University of St Andrews Freshers' Fair: 13/09/2015
• University of Edinburgh Freshers' Fair: 14/09/2015
• University of Glasgow Freshers' Fair: 15/09/2015 - 16/09/2015
• University of Strathclyde Freshers' Fair: 16/09/2015
• King's College London Welcome Fair: 18/09/2015 - 19/09/2015
• University of Exeter Freshers' Fair: 19/09/2015
• University of Birmingham Freshers' Fair: 21/09/2015 - 22/09/2015
• Cardiff University Freshers' Fair: 21/09/2015 - 22/09/2015
• University of Nottingham Freshers' Fair: 21/09/2015 - 22/09/2015
• University of Manchester Welcome Fair: 22/09/2015 - 23/09/2015
• University of Reading Freshers' Fair: 23/09/2015 - 24/09/2015
• London School of Economics Freshers' Fair: 24/09/2015 - 25/09/2015
• University of Liverpool Freshers' Fair: 24/09/2015 - 25/09/2015
• University of Bath Freshers' Fair: 25/09/2015
• University of Bristol Freshers' Fair: 25/09/2015
• University of Southampton Freshers' Fair: 25/09/2015
• Aston University Freshers' Fair: 27/09/2015
• University of Leicester Freshers' Fair: 28/09/2015 - 29/09/2015
• University of Sheffield Freshers' Fair: 30/09/2015
• University of Surrey Freshers' Fair: 02/10/2015
• Lancaster University Freshers' Fair: 02/10/2015
• UCL Welcome Fair: 03/10/2015 - 04/10/2015
• University of York Freshers' Fair: 03/10/2015
• University of Warwick Freshers' Fair: 03/10/2015 - 04/10/2015
• Loughborough University Union Bazaar: 04/10/2015
• Newcastle University Freshers' Fair: 05/10/2015 - 06/10/2015
• Imperial College Union Freshers' Fair: 06/10/2015
• University of Cambridge Societies Fair: 06/10/2015 - 07/10/2015
• Durham University Students' Union Fair: 07/10/2015 - 08/10/2015
• University of Oxford Freshers' Fair: 07/10/2015 - 09/10/2015

Article written by Lizzie Akass, TARGETjobs Editorial Intern. Connect with Lizzie on LinkedIn. 

An intern’s guide to writing CVs and impressing at interviews

Hi I’m Lizzie, a current editorial intern at GTI Media (the parent company of TARGETjobs). As an intern, I am very familiar with the process of applying for work experience; I’ve been through it! Here are some key pieces of advice that I’ve learned on writing a good CV and covering letter, and how to impress at an internship interview. 

Writing your CV and covering letter

My key pieces of advice for applying for internships are to thoroughly research the companies that you want to apply for before you write your applications, and to tailor each CV and covering letter to what the individual job advertisement asks for. If an employer puts a list of skills or attributes they want candidates to have, go through the list and explain how you have them/give examples for each on your covering letter. If they ask for your earliest starting date, put one! If they put a name on the job description, address your application to that person – if there is no name, either see if you can Google who to address or phone up the company and ask.

Here are some resources that I found useful when applying for internships. 

• An essential guide on how to write your CV

• An example internship CV template

• How to fill in an online application form

• How to write a covering letter

Presenting yourself well at interview

You should take internship interviews just as seriously as you would interviews for permanent roles; securing an internship could make a huge impact on your future career! Dress smartly, show up about 10–15 minutes early, give a good handshake, smile, make eye contact and be polite – don’t let being nervous make you come across as uninterested or rude! Preparing answers to common interview questions beforehand can also make a big difference to how well you come across during the interview.

Although you should have researched the company when you applied, you’ll need to do it again to refresh your memory the day before your interview, and to see if there are any updates. Also, if you have to travel quite a long way to get to your interview, plan your route in advance and make sure you know where you’re going when you arrive.

Once you are invited for your interview, don't forget to check out advice on how to shine in your work experience interview. 

Article written by Lizzie Akass, TARGETjobs Editorial Intern. Connect with Lizzie on LinkedIn.

An intern’s guide to finding work experience and internships

Hi I’m Lizzie, a current editorial intern at GTI Media (the parent company of TARGETjobs). I know that finding the right work experience, internship or placement when you're a student can be tricky, so here are a few tips and tricks that I’ve learned from my own application process for anyone needing a little help!

Use your university’s careers and employability service

My university was my main resource to find work experience opportunities. It’s how I found a work shadowing day at GTI Media, which led to me getting a summer internship in its editorial department. Your university’s careers and employability centre should advertise placement, internship, work experience and work shadowing opportunities – so keep up to date with what’s advertised on their website and in their e-mails. Also, keep going to the careers advice centre’s talks and presentations; I went to a few presentations by our careers advice team and found them really helpful. The people I spoke to continued to e-mail me with ideas and advice afterwards, and even offered to conduct a practice interview with me when I told them I got an internship interview at GTI Media. Unfortunately I couldn’t take this opportunity due to a lack of time with essay deadlines, but in hindsight I think it would have been really helpful as it was very different to interviews for my previous jobs.

Use what’s available online

You need to do thorough research on job descriptions, companies, and vacancies. There is an entire section of the TARGETjobs website giving advice on internships and advertising available opportunities and openings. There are also plenty of companies and organisations that use social media to advertise openings in specific fields. Alternatively, if you have any particular companies in mind see if they advertise any work experience or placement opportunities themselves, or if you’ll need to contact them directly to find out if they do.

Choosing where to apply

Stay open minded when making this decision, as any experience you get in your field will give you valuable skills and experience, give you a great insight into a potential career, help you make networking contacts, and be good to put on your CV. Internships and placements are brilliant if you have a clearer idea of what area of work you’d like to go into, but if you’re unsure then short term work experience and work shadowing days are perfect. They’re a great way to get insight into fields that you’re thinking about, plus whilst you’re there you can speak to people in various sectors to learn about different roles that you could potentially look into in the future.

For a break down of all the experience opportunities available to you, look no further than TARGETjobs! 

Article written by Lizzie Akass, TARGETjobs Editorial Intern. Connect with Lizzie on LinkedIn. 

How my work shadowing day helped me get an internship at TARGETjobs

Hi, I'm Lizzie and I am currently an editorial intern at GTI Media (the parent company of TARGETjobs). I got the opportunity to apply for the internship after completing a work shadowing day at the company. Here's a few tips from me for anyone looking to do a work shadowing day or get an internship, based on my own experiences!

Finding the work shadowing opportunity

The work shadowing day at GTI Media, which was advertised through my university’s careers and employability website, really interested me as it was offering experience in a role and career field that I was interested in, with a company name that I knew through TARGETjobs e-mails. The fact that it was only for one day during Easter, as opposed to two weeks like some companies offered, also appealed to me as it was far more practical in terms of balancing my time with the essays I had to write in those few Easter weeks.

After completing the online application form, I got a place on the work shadowing day. I then had a meeting with a member of the careers guidance team at university which consisted of a short interview followed by run through of details, correct conduct and what to do next.

What my work shadowing day consisted of

It was well-structured with a number of exercises for us to do, and designed to give an insight into a variety of different tasks completed by the editorial team. We were even asked to give feedback on some layouts for a new website, which was great as it showed that the editors genuinely wanted our input and valued our opinions. Everyone was so accommodating and willing to answer our little group’s questions and talk us through how publishing differed at GTI to other companies they had worked at. This gave us a much broader insight into the publishing field than I was expecting. At the end of the day we were invited to apply for the summer internship by e-mailing our CVs and covering letters, and I was offered an interview the following day so it was a very quick process.

Reflecting on the work shadowing day

Even if I had applied for the internship beforehand, I still think the work shadowing day would have made a huge difference to my chances of getting an interview at GTI Media. It allowed my interviewer-to-be (and now manager), and other editors in the department a chance to get to know me in person and see for themselves how I worked with other people and took on the tasks that were given to me. It also gave me a new understanding of the company, and day-to-day tasks of an editor, and the insight I needed to decide whether this was a role I wanted to get further experience in. It was an all-round positive experience, and I definitely recommend students to seriously consider work shadowing days and short-term work experience as valuable opportunities which can potentially lead to longer placements.

Tips to impress:

If you have a work shadowing day coming up, here are some useful tips to make sure you make the most of the day. 

• Check the dress code – this differs at every company so it’s important to ask what’s appropriate. GTI Media has a fairly relaxed dress code meaning I was able to wear smart jeans and a t-shirt, but if I’d been in another company I might have had to wear something more formal.

• Show up at least 15 minutes early – this includes planning your route well in advance and checking the day before that your planned route is still useable (eg replacement buses meaning you’ll miss a connecting train).

• Prepare some questions to ask specific to the role – I needed to think through exactly what I wanted to know about the publishing field, company, and role/duties of an editor.

• Bring a notepad and pen – taking notes is always useful as you might forget a lot of what you’re told on the day (there will almost definitely be a lot of information!), and it’s also never a bad thing to look prepared.

• Keep your energy up – between the commute, being nervous, and completing the tasks you’re given, you will get tired. Have a good night’s sleep the night before, and maybe get a little caffeine over lunch if it helps!

• Take part and be enthusiastic – they won’t expect you to get everything right, so the way that you approach any tasks given, both practically and emotionally, are very important too. The exercises our group were given were an excellent opportunity to show that we were able to work in a team and individually, and could rise to new challenges and explain the reasoning behind our decisions.

• Don’t be scared – it’s natural to be nervous, but I found the work environment at GTI Media so friendly that it quickly became clear that this was a positive learning experience and a chance to make a good impression, and not a day to be scared or too shy. If you can’t get over your nerves (it happens!) fake it ‘till you make it: smile, give a good handshake, and pretend you’re confident until you’re comfortable enough to actually feel confident.

For more information on internships and how to get them, check out the internship section on TARGETjobs. 

Article written by Lizzie Akass, TARGETjobs Editorial Intern. Connect with Lizzie on LinkedIn.