3 pieces of advice I would share now I’ve completed second year

Hey, my name is Ruvimbo and I’m a Second Year student studying Business Management with Marketing. My time at University of Birmingham so far has been filled with so many experiences. Prior to returning to campus for second year, I was nervous as it felt like everyone warned me that second year ‘will hit you like a brick.’ Now heading towards the end of the year, it’s safe to say I have made it through without a brick hit in sight.

But don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been easy, second year is a different ball game to first year. Where in first year, you are finding your feet, meeting new people and understanding how uni works, second year is about stepping up, getting serious, and making every opportunity count. Here’s my 3 top pieces of advice I would share with myself now that I’ve made it to the end of my second year…

1. Apply early

If you're thinking of doing some work experience, a placement year or a year abroad, get organised, do your research and apply early. When I first started looking for opportunities, I wasn’t sure where to begin, so doing research is super helpful and makes a difference.

I recommend booking a careers meeting for guidance or interview prep and using university resources as a great starting point. It’s important to stay patient, as these opportunities can take time and some of the processes are very time consuming, you are bound to get rejected, but your opportunity will come, making it all worth it!

2. Stay on top of your work

Second year is packed, but it’s nothing you haven’t dealt with before. Deadlines, group projects, presentations and seminars all come at once, and unlike first year, the grades count! So, putting your best foot forward from day one means you won’t have to catch up and pull any in the library.

Find a routine that suits you when it comes to studying, getting your assignments done and revising. For me, making lists, creating a study group, figuring out if you prefer early mornings or late nights all really helped me to feel in control throughout the year, allowing me to succeed and reduce any overwhelming feelings.

3. Cherish the time you have with your people

One thing everyone says is, that second year goes faster than you think…. I can confirm it is true, September feels like yesterday, and this might be the last time that all your friends are together in the same place. Many people head off to placements or year abroad opportunities, so it is important to make the time for the little things, go to the cinema, take those late night walks with your besties, have all the heart to hearts in the kitchen and enjoy random adventures exploring Birmingham, as these are the memories that you will always remember and carry with you even after your time at university is over.