Preparing For Your Final Year of University
Entering your third and final year of university can leave you with mixed emotions. You’re just a year away from completing your degree and starting out in the professional world, leaving behind your student lifestyle and forging a career and promising future for yourself. You might feel nervous, excited, scared, or even relieved that it’s almost over – but how do you deal with everything third year throws at you?
To help you prepare for the final year of university, we’ve put together some final year uni tips to help you navigate the tricky waters of completing your degree.
How Do I Prepare for My Final Year of University?
Third year comes with a lot of pressure, but it doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems. Sure, you’re staring down the barrel of writing a dissertation and entering adulthood very soon, but with the right preparation, you can sail through.
If you have been relaxed this far in your academic journey, now is definitely the time to start getting things done. Third year grades hold more weight than second- and first-year grades, meaning they can very much be the deciding factor in the class of degree you end up with. This is a chance to redeem yourself and claw back a good grade, so don’t waste it.
Prepare Early
Firstly, make sure you prepare nice and early. Figure out what you want your dissertation or final project to be on and research the topic as much as you can before you start your academic year. The last thing you want is to get halfway through the year and realise your subject matter holds no weight. Prepare in advance.
Create a Plan and Manage Your Time
Next, come up with a workable plan of action. Your timetable will likely be much lighter in third year, making it easier for you to divide your time. Divide your time accordingly between working, socialising and studying. Make sure you carve out time for seeing your friends; whilst it’s an important academic year, it’s also your last year as a student, so embrace it!
Know Who You Want to Work With
If you need to collaborate on work, think of who you know you work well with. Choosing the wrong people could mean all the work gets left to the last minute. This can seriously impact your final projects and your overall grade. Choose teammates wisely.
Talk to Your Tutor
Your tutor is there to help you, so make use of them. Ask them all the questions, no matter how silly they may seem. This will give you a good understanding of what they’re looking for from your work so that you can stay on course to get the grades you want. This is one of the final year uni tips few take on board, but it can make all the difference.
Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
Student accommodation can be noisy, so try and find a flat or house in a quieter area with other final year students to avoid distractions. There is nothing worse than trying to write your final dissertation with a party going on next door!
Think About Life After University
Your final year will be over before you know it, so it’s a good idea to start thinking ahead. Try and get work experience and explore what jobs might be available to you once you graduate. This will make actually leaving uni seem far less daunting and scary.
Get Further Advice and Support
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with third year, get in touch with us. We have lots of advice for final year students and are here to help, so reach out if you’re not sure where to start or what to expect from third year.
