University advice

Hxc said:
Students have a LOT of financial freedom. If you're working part time around your job you can be absolutely minted, relatively. I have approx £160 a week disposable income after all bills, food, rent, running a car etc. I am working 40 hours a week over summer and will be doing 24ish on top of my studies every week during term time, mind.

That's not silly crazy thousands a week sorta money, but to have over £500 a month to just throw at what you like, it's nice!
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My student loan doesn't even cover my rent, let alone my bills, so even with part time work I seem to be forever skint unless I smash loads of overtime.
Oh what I'd give for a decent 9-5 job 10 minutes from home, solid steady income every month and no worrying about money.

When theres rich kids walking around with daddys money and poor kids walking around with huge grants and bursaries.
 
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pitchfork said:
Oh what I'd give for a decent 9-5 job 10 minutes from home, solid steady income every month and no worrying about money.
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And just how do you plan on getting said job to not have to worry about money, without a decent qualification? :confused:

Also, what percentage of employed people suddenly have no money worries, let alone live 10 mins from work!

I can cycle to work in 20 mins, and I count myself VERY lucky!
 
flibbage0 said:
Going to start uni soon and I just want some advice/heads up as to what to expect or how to cope when the going gets tough.
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Sorry, who are....

Anyway, moving on - join clubs. Sports clubs, societies, interest clubs - whatever you've ever fancied doing, or sounds interesting. Go to the freshers fair, and join LOADS!

In my first few weeks of Uni I was kayaking 3 times a week, mountain biking twice a week, swimming once or twice a week and also trying to keep on with my Duke of Edinburgh's award (amidst rampaging foot and mouth closing off the countryside)

They didn't all last, but I met loads of people, made loads of friends and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The other thing I found is that with something to plan for on an evening other than just "drink" I'd have tea, then find I'd have to do an hour or 2's work before heading out to kayak at 8pm-9pm, then have a pint or 2, then back to digs. It adds a structure to your days, that without it I think I'd have found managing my time a lot more difficult.
 
matt_fsr said:
And just how do you plan on getting said job to not have to worry about money, without a decent qualification? :confused:

Also, what percentage of employed people suddenly have no money worries, let alone live 10 mins from work!

I can cycle to work in 20 mins, and I count myself VERY lucky!
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Pretty much every firm I am prepared to work for (and theres a fair amount to be fair) is less than 5 miles from my house, all of which have exceptional track records for taking on graduates, decent salaries and high functioning marketing departments.

And I'll have a decent qualification by the time I come out, already averaging a high first, and have some experience. If all goes to plan my paper on product positioning and neurology will be published by then as well putting me high above many graduates.

Of course I have contingency plans in place as well, I'm not stupid, I know a degree alone isn't the key to a good job.

Worrying about money is for your late 20's, early 20's is fine, that's all about living for the weekend. Maybe save a little, it's no big thing.
It's only when you can't pay your bills then you need to start worrying.
 
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pitchfork said:
Pretty much every firm I am prepared to work for (and theres a fair amount to be fair) is less than 5 miles from my house, all of which have exceptional track records for taking on graduates, decent salaries and high functioning marketing departments.

And I'll have a decent qualification by the time I come out, already averaging a high first, and have some experience. If all goes to plan my paper on product positioning and neurology will be published by then as well putting me high above many graduates.

Of course I have contingency plans in place as well, I'm not stupid, I know a degree alone isn't the key to a good job.

Worrying about money is for your late 20's, early 20's is fine, that's all about living for the weekend. Maybe save a little, it's no big thing.
It's only when you can't pay your bills then you need to start worrying.
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You are my favourite.

Please, say more ridiculous things!
 
Interesting posts.

I also don't have enough money to cover my rent. So I will more than likely need a job.

How many hours do you think I can realistically do in the first year, I think I have around 20-25 contact hours a week in the first year. Not sure if that includes lab tutorials though.
 
flibbage0 said:
Interesting posts.

I also don't have enough money to cover my rent. So I will more than likely need a job.

How many hours do you think I can realistically do in the first year, I think I have around 20-25 contact hours a week in the first year. Not sure if that includes lab tutorials though.
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The hours you are given are practically irrelevent. I had the most 'contact time' in my first year of my undergraduate (~30 hours a week) and you could get away with switching your brain off... sort of. Years later I was struggling with 4 hours of contact time a week... later still I had 6 hours of contact time a week and it was an utter doddle :p
 
Zefan said:
You are my favourite.

Please, say more ridiculous things!
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Ridiculous because I plan for good employment on graduation?

People go to uni then come out and worry about a job, and wonder why no one will employ them. Because you ****ed it up the wall for three years and have a 2:1 or a 2:2 and no experience, no factors to set you apart.

I'm not stupid enough to get sucked into that trap, they're all kids, the lot of them with. I've not come to university to do a pointless course like "drama" or "media studies" no, I've come to do business and for one reason, I want to make money.

I've researched the firms I want to work for, what they look for, what would be in my favour. Typical paths of the graduates within the firm.
 
pitchfork said:
Ridiculous because I plan for good employment on graduation?

People go to uni then come out and worry about a job, and wonder why no one will employ them. Because you ****ed it up the wall for three years and have a 2:1 or a 2:2 and no experience, no factors to set you apart.

I'm not stupid enough to get sucked into that trap, they're all kids, the lot of them with. I've not come to university to do a pointless course like "drama" or "media studies" no, I've come to do business and for one reason, I want to make money.

I've researched the firms I want to work for, what they look for, what would be in my favour. Typical paths of the graduates within the firm.
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Not the dreaded 2.1! I have never seen anywhere advertise for first class degrees only (they probably do exist somewhere) - even a 2.2 doesn't mean game over.

Go on, give us the big sell, what sets you apart from the crowd? What's your experience and factors? :p
 
Nitefly said:
Not the dreaded 2.1! I have never seen anywhere advertise for first class degrees only (they probably do exist somewhere) - even a 2.2 doesn't mean game over.

Go on, give us the big sell, what sets you apart from the crowd? What's your experience and factors? :p
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Thats a given, I've seen firms advertise for thirds and up. A first is always going to be preferable however and key to securing the best graduate positions.

Aside from exemplary grades, I've worked this summer for a top 500 super brands company in a relevant position, last summer I worked for a local marketing department. It's all experience most graduates do not have.

I have been writing an extensively researched paper on product positioning and neurology for the past 4 months, at a level well above what is expected of masters students and even some PhD candidates, which has received high praise from PhD level professors.

I have a portfolio of freelance work I have done, pro bono, nothing significant but it's work nonetheless.

I play 5 musical instruments at graded levels (2 at grade 8, others varying levels). Something which employers seem to love.

Tell me then, smarty pants, how does that not set me apart from your average "Kevin from hull with a 2:1"
 
pitchfork said:
Thats a given, I've seen firms advertise for thirds and up. A first is always going to be preferable however and key to securing the best graduate positions.

Aside from exemplary grades, I've worked this summer for a top 500 super brands company in a relevant position, last summer I worked for a local marketing department. It's all experience most graduates do not have.

I have been writing an extensively researched paper on product positioning and neurology for the past 4 months, at a level well above what is expected of masters students and even some PhD candidates, which has received high praise from PhD level professors.

I have a portfolio of freelance work I have done, pro bono, nothing significant but it's work nonetheless.

I play 5 musical instruments at graded levels (2 at grade 8, others varying levels). Something which employers seem to love.

Tell me then, smarty pants, how does that not set me apart from your average "Kevin from hull with a 2:1"
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It is very impressive! Be careful you don't taint your applications with your arrogance though :p
 
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