Category Archives: Undergraduate

How to find legal work experience and network while studying

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Vladyslav Shutko

The City Law School, Undergraduate work, work experience, work life.

Law graduates and undergraduates face intense competition when applying for pupillages, training contracts and the like, as the requirements for legal work experience have become a necessity as well as a spot-on addition to any résumé.

Without any further delays, let me share some useful advice regarding legal work and volunteering experiences. Some of these are based off my own experiences from studying my LLB (Hons) at City, University of London.

Apply for a Micro-placements programme

City’s micro-placements programme offers excellent opportunities for Law students to gain legal work experience. The programme has been designed for students who want to explore careers different from those traditionally associated with their degree. The initiative is an exciting way to gain professional experience via short summer placements with a wide-range of London-based employers.

Bare in mind, while there are legal internships and micro-placements available, these would not be undertaken within the actual legal sector, however there are many opportunities to gain invaluable experience from the in-house legal team within your selected company.

Attend job fairs

Job fairs are perfect for making connections and finding job opportunities. I highly recommend attending the following fairs:

Law & Social Sciences Fair: Hosted in mid-October, Law students at any stage of their education are eligible to attend the fair and I would urge every Law student to attend. The weekly University e-newsletters sent to students often promote such fairs so look out for them.

Graduate jobs fair: Held on campus in June, this event is an opportunity to meet recruiters from all types of industries and find out about, or even apply for, graduate schemes, immediate roles, internships, and volunteering opportunities. While the event is open to students studying all types of courses, there are a considerable number of law-firms’ recruiters in attendance. Don’t be thrown off by the name of the event, undergrads are welcomed too – I first attended the fair after completing my first year.

Join a law society

I cannot stress the importance of joining a law society at the University. While there are many great societies available for City students, I recommend the following:

The Law Society is one of the greatest societies at City, at least with regards to the number of memberships. The society regularly organises workshops for students, career opportunities, seminars, shares the latest news and offers advice.

Pro Bono Society host various types of social and professional events, they also provide members with multiple professional opportunities, including both internal Pro Bono work as well as external volunteering options.

Join an Inn of Court

I would highly recommend submitting an application and attaining a membership of one of the following Inns of court: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. Please be aware that once you become a member, it is not possible to alter your decision and transfer to one of the other Inns, so choose carefully to avoid any kind of disappointment in the future.

For those of you who are intending to qualify as a barrister, it is a mandatory requirement to be a member of an Inn prior to the commencement of your BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course). Having said that, I would advise each and every law student at any stage of their degree to become a member, even if you are planning to take the solicitor’s route.

There are quite a few benefits of getting a membership; networking opportunities, scholarships opportunities, and access to a spectacular library, among others.

Volunteer for Free Representation Unit

Free Representation Unit (FRU) provides free voluntary representation for tribunals in cases where legal aid is unavailable, by helping clients – who do not have any means to pay – with advice, preparation, and representation at social security, employment, disability appeals tribunals, and at the criminal injuries compensation boards and panels.

Volunteering is a great way for those aiming to sit the bar and for future solicitors to gain experience in being a representative, speaking in court, and managing preparatory work before trials.

Eligibility to participate:

For employment tribunals you must be studying for the LLM, BPTC, LPC, or in your second term of GDL.
Third year LLB and GDL students are eligible to volunteer for social security tribunals .
You must have experience in Social Security representation if you are interested in volunteering for criminal injuries compensation tribunals.

City volunteering also has great opportunities to expand your skills and experiences. Register and look for law volunteering opportunities!

A day in the life of a Media, Communications and Sociology undergrad

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Joon Ha Park

School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate a day in the life, UG student life, undergraduate, work life balance.

BSc (Hons) Media, Communications and Sociology student, Joon ha Park, gives us a glimpse into what a typical day at City, University of London is like for him.

10am

All of my lectures and tutorials started after 9am this year, this meant that waking up early wasn’t required much and I could sleep in.

Being a Media, Communications and Sociology student (or generally a social sciences student, for that matter) means that you have to be clued up with what is happening around the world. So, the first thing I usually do after waking up is to check my phone for the latest news. I use Twitter, and follow a number of news accounts, political commentators and journalists so that my feed informs me of what is happening in different corners of the world.

I shower and prepare brunch, either an omelette with some toast and tea or a nice little Korean breakfast with a bowl of rice and some soup. I don’t usually have lunch, I like to have a big breakfast or brunch to kick-start the day.

After I finish my meal, I go back to my room and check my email to see if there is any reminders or changes that I should be aware of before classes. Today’s lectures are “News and Society” and “Sociology of Race and Racism”.

I leave my flat at around 11.30am, making my way to the Rhind Building, where most of the media lectures and tutorials are held.

11.50 am

I arrive at the lecture hall and there’s always a few early birds with earphones in, or just reading a novel. I sit at my usual row, and wait for my friends and the lecturer to begin her class. As the clock ticks, more and more students and my friends walk in to the lecture hall (most with a Sainsbury’s meal deal in their hands or a beverage of some sort). After a while, the lecturer comes greeting everyone as she walks in with a smile, and turns on the projector and says,

“Okay guys, good afternoon. Let’s start.”

She starts a lecture on current issues in the news such as ‘Fake News’ and raises questions for us to answer during the tutorials. I’ve acquired a habit of note-taking since secondary school, so I open my Mac to take notes of the lecture, highlighting the interesting bits she says. I also link in some of the news that I read in the morning to some of the theories that she points out.

12.50 pm

Lecture ends and we make our way to the next lecture “Sociology of Race and Racism” which is located all the way in the Drysdale Building.

My lectures and tutorials take place at various different locations on campus. In total, four different buildings. The Drysdale building, the Rhind Building, the University Building and the College Building. So, there is a lot of walking and talking with friends in between going to different lectures and tutorials.

Sociology lectures are great, they really get you thinking about the world around you and this one was no different – the topic under discussion was the growing number of refugees in our world today. It’s always satisfying to sit through a lecture where the academic exudes so much passionate about the topic.

Tutorials are the best time to digest the information from the lectures. Usually my media tutorials are filled with debates and discussions on current world events, where people from all different backgrounds voice their opinions on an issue and the tutorial leader asks us to link it back to the theories. It’s always different. One day you’re debating if journalism is dying and the other you’re discussing the role of gatekeeping in world politics. That’s why it’s so important for a media student to know what is going on in the world.

My sociology tutorials are filled with debates on the readings and the theories rather than world events. Since it’s more of a theory-based course, our discussions in class usually turn into questions that we need clarification from.

I love my course, it’s a mix of the things that I love: media, debates and social relations.

5pm

I’m done for the day and I usually head back to my flat and make some warm dinner and maybe watch a TV show episode while I eat. After eating, I review some of the material that we went over today and do some reading.

More or less, that’s the day in the life of a Media, Communications and Sociology undergrad here at City.

Till next time! – JH

A day in the life of a Journalism undergrad

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Mariana Marques

Undergraduate a day in the life, Journalism, UG student life, undergraduate, work life balance.

City, University of London BSc (Hons) Journalism student, Mariana Marques, writes a candid account of what a typical day at University is like for her.

Morning

I wish I was one of those students that gets up, puts on whatever comes first in the closet and runs to university. Instead, I wake up at least two hours before (around 7am), have breakfast calmly (two cups of coffee is a necessity), check emails, spend 20 minutes enjoying snuggling in bed, and only then start to get ready.

Morning conversations in my flat are very rare, mostly because I am currently living with strangers. There are pros and cons to it: we don’t share much of our day, so I have forgotten what it is like to run to my flatmate’s room when something exciting happens, or when I’m having a hard time. In the morning though, I am quite thankful: I need my time alone.

Like most students, I don’t sleep much (7 hours maximum, don’t follow my lead). However, unlike most students, I enjoy getting up early and taking advantage of my time, so morning classes aren’t that much of a pain for me.

The most common morning text is “Where is the class?” because, you know, humans have the memory of a goldfish – students included. There is often a generous soul who will even tell me exactly HOW to get to that room. Fortunately, it only takes me about 10 minutes walking to university- I would absolutely hate to take the tube in the morning and so I admire those who commute to work every day.

When in class, I always try to find my best friends to sit next to and we often catch up then. With the classmates I’m not close with, the conversation goes as it follows: “How are you?”, “Good and you?”, “Tired”, “Yeah, me too”. It stops there, but I believe if I needed their help, they would be there for me.

I’m a busy person with two part-time jobs and because I do fashion and beauty blogging, I’m often attending events in the evening. That leaves me with no time to catch up with friends or for alone time, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

The reality is that having a coffee by myself (I love spending time by myself, weirdly, or not) has become a luxury, but who doesn’t like little luxuries? It makes us realise that time is precious.

Afternoon

After a morning class, I’ll head home for a quick lunch while I keep updated with my latest TV series. I love multi-tasking and watching TV Series while eating.

Trying not to fall asleep after lunch is a real issue, but one more cup of coffee after (and resisting the temptation to sit on my bed), and I’m ready to head to my other job. My job is flexible so I can choose which days I work and if I want to work morning or evening shifts. If I’m not working (lucky me!), I’ll go for coffee with a friend, shopping, or binge watch a good TV Series. If I am working in the evening, then my free time is non-existent.

Evening

I’ll have dinner at work, head home around 10-11pm, make myself some tea and scroll down on Instagram for the next half-an-hour or so because no matter how busy I am, I’m young and wild and free, and there is always time for a quick scroll (being a millennial is an excuse for this, I suppose).

Studying Journalism means I am not required to do much independent study as there are many more writing and in-class projects than exams. Evenings are a good time for me to put a relaxing music playlist on and do my coursework.

I often go to bed around midnight – I will never be the kind of student who works overnight to meet a deadline. Organising may well be my middle name as I try to stick to my agenda as much as possible and hate leaving things until last minute.

Once in a while there is an exciting event to attend, and I’m always up for socialising, meeting people, having a drink (or more than one, depending on the day of the week)- I’m a lucky one for having incredible people around me.

I hope you didn’t get bored while reading this (the word “work” might appear too much, but I guarantee you I have lots of fun). I have to admit being a Journalism student in London is quite cool.

A day in the life of an LLB student

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Vladyslav Shutko

The City Law School, Undergraduate a day in the life, UG student life, work life, work life balance.

Hello, my name is Vladyslav Shutko and I am studying the LLB (Hons) at City, University of London. Here I share what a typical day at university is like for me and I’ve added from practical advice too.

6.00 am

First alarm on my phone goes off. Very first thought: hit the snooze button.

Nah, it’s not an alarm clock, but an alarm on my phone, it would be too costly to throw it across the room.

I make an effort to roll out of bed get dressed. Then, I either go out jogging or head to the gym pool for a morning energising swim, or I walk the dog/s as part of one of my part-time temporary jobs. A fine law student should keep active to maintain energy levels, I would suggest checking out the City Sport – it’s a great choice for those who live near the uni.

7.15 am

I begin reading the latest news, at least briefly, so I am commercially aware. It is a vital part of a law student’s day, especially at the time of ‘Brexit talks domination’.

I would recommend reading The Guardian to stay informed. Having said that, the dose of politics and business-related news MUST be kept to a minimum, otherwise it might have a negative impact on my sanity.

7.30 am

I start reading, preferably in Ukrainian or Russian, anything really, apart from English. It help’s refresh my memory and language skills – an attractive skill to have to increase my chances of employment – as knowledge of various languages puts you at an advantage (law students must always keep their employability in mind).

A bit of supplementary literature would never harm, I quite enjoyed and would recommend ‘Stories of the Law and How It’s Broken’ by The Secret Barrister (audiobook is FREE with Audible trial).

8.00 am

Quickly and rather unintentionally, but out of a survival instinct, I grab some kind of breakfast, take a shower, and take off to run errands.

9.00 am

I attend morning workshop. The classroom is half empty but might start filling up by the end of the term, right before the exam period commences. Those brave ones who made it for the class, normally tend to look akin to zeks in USSR’s types of prisons, unless they manage to grab a cup of coffee.

Morning classes are difficult but try not to skip any, instead try getting to bed early so you’re focused and making those small steps to becoming a successful lawyer.

11.00 am

Depending on the day, a good law student should head to the library to wrap everything up. Regular studying is the formula of success; revising leading up to exams is not enough because the amount of information to memorise for the LLB is far too much to memorise.

6.00 pm

By the evening I normally have different meetings scheduled. It is worth signing up for various types of events, such as meetings with lawyers, judges and academics, to build connections as well as receive practical advice from legal practitioners.

This is what my typical day looks like but your’s may look different. Embrace university life, strike a balance between study and social activities and enjoy this transitional time in your life.

6 reasons you should participate in an exchange programme

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

Advice, Undergraduate exchange, international, Law.

I have recently applied for City, University of London’s student exchange opportunity to another country with my first-choice school being France and my second/third choice schools both being in Australia. Many people ask why would you go on exchange when you are already international. Here are my reasons and why you should consider it too:

#1 Exposure to different opportunities

Learning from one institution is not enough to have well rounded knowledge as each institution teaches differently and offers different teaching and learning styles as well as providing different opportunities. For instance at City we have the Start-Ed clinic where law students can offer their services to start-up companies, however an institution in Australia might offer different opportunities.

#2 Grow your network

Having a background from one institution is not enough in this competitive society – the more diversified you can show you are the better your chances for future job prospects. Even though ‘ties’ are said to have no weight it is easier to make connections with people who are the same as you which is why many law firms are dominated by certain schools or backgrounds. Having a connection with the person interviewing you is important and it is easier to focus on how the two of you are the same rather than your differences.

#3 More job prospects

Going to another country may also increase job prospects. If the companies you are interested in are based in countries offered on the exchange programme then it might be an easier way to get be recruited by them. This is because London is highly competitive, so if you took a job in another country with the firm you are interested in then you might be able to transfer back to London if you wish.

#4 Experience more cultures

If students enjoy travelling, then exchange programmes are another way to see the world and experience a different perspective and cultural feel while in education.

#5 Strengthen your profile

Employers want to see that you are flexible and culturally aware. Moving countries can demonstrate to employers that you have those strengths.

#6 Save on costs

It could also save you money if you are attending a university in London where costs are high in comparison to other destinations which may be cheaper. Certain incentives are also offered such as 50% off tuition if you go on exchange for a full year (two terms) which is a benefit if you are self-funded. Currently the Erasmus grant is also in effect for EU countries (might change pending Brexit) which provides you with a monthly grant of 300 Euros while on exchange.

If you have a student exchange opportunity, I suggest you consider it – even if you are an international student – for all the benefits it might bring to you.

Celebrating City’s international community

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Michelle Sarkisyan

School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate #internationalstudent, events.

International students are deeply embedded in City, University of London’s culture and lifestyle. The University’s work and that of the Students Union never stops to amaze me of the number of events and types of activities they offer to the student body.

As a student ambassador, representative and a blogger, I am constantly a witness of how much focus and attention is spent on a daily basis to the student. From surveys that will help improve student and tutor relationships to mentor schemes created to ease each student into coping with assignment anxiety or finding and preparing for an internship.

We are also regularly provided with karaoke, movie and pub quiz nights at City Bar, located in Tait Building ground floor.

This week, from Monday 18th February to Friday 22nd February, different departments cooperated to create the first-ever International City Week. It aimed to celebrate the global community and bring staff and students together with a number of different activities across campus.

More than 20 events were scattered throughout the whole week to take yet another step back and to really appreciate everything that is good about how diversified City, University of London is.

The launch of International City Week 2019 was simply incredible. It was colourful, loud and tasty. You could munch on tasty finger food from around the world and socialise with peers.

To make it easier for you, you could take part in the networking bingo and later win a redeemable voucher.

If you are not particularly interested in finding somebody who knows how to make dumplings or practices martial arts, you could sit on the couch with a slice of pizza in hand and listen to the amazing City’s own Balkan Ensemble.

Or even better, get up and dance in the melody of Serbian and Romanian songs and learn the art of the “horo” dance.

It was amazing to see how many people wanted to locate themselves on a giant map, and most importantly to talk with each other, follow our journeys and realise that we are not as different as we may think.

We could also solve riddles and win chocolate when correctly match the fair-trade products to their place of origin. To get creative with 1-minute portraits and bring back the nostalgia answering City Psychology Society’s question: “What makes you feel at home”, was a true gem.

Talking about your national holidays, dancing and seeing the smile on people’s faces was nothing short to a magnificent way to start my week.

Studying a law degree in the UK vs North America

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brooke Mcneil

The City Law School, Undergraduate CV, international student, Law.

Going international to obtain a degree or even just a year abroad is popular among young people as a means to not only see the world but to have a competitive CV. However, being an international student has its challenges like anything else and some are talked about more than others such as missing your family. My personal challenge was adjusting to the cultural norms of the British education system from the American system.

In North America it’s common for 24-27 years old students to remain in school pursuing a second degree. They are told one degree is not enough to be competitive in today’s society or that the educational requirements are different for certain degrees.

To obtain a law degree in North America, a candidate would have to choose a four-year undergrad degree in any discipline followed by a three-year law school – totalling it to seven years in higher education.

In Britain, students can apply to law school right out of high school and graduate by 21/22 years of age with the LLB in hand and either the LPC, LLM, or BPTC. When I tell people in London that I am a 24 years old student it is a surprise to them.

Why? London is a fast-paced business district where working life is encouraged relatively earlier compared to in North America. People pursue other avenues besides university, such as internships, because the sooner they can get into work the better – especially in the competitive London job market.

The cultural outlook towards long consecutive years in education is recognised as a necessary achievement in North America. I am very proud of my seven years of education, achievements and all the wonderful opportunities I’ve been given so far.

Why I chose to study law in London

If I were to repeat the process for applying to law school I would still choose London as my ideal location. Being a solicitor in a commercial law firm in London is the end goal and I particularly enjoy the London working lifestyle. It is worth noting that your educational requirements should only matter to yourself and your future employer.

Being a City, University of London law student specifically has offered me the opportunities for more educational achievements to help my CV stand out and build skills needed to be an outstanding solicitor. Mooting at City has helped with preparing bundles – experience needed for when I become a certified solicitor.

The option to be trained for the National Centre for Domestic Violence and act as a McKenzie Friend has provided me with the opportunity to not only help people but learn how to draft witness statements, fill in non-molestation orders and occupation orders, as well as appear in court.

The law society at City has given me the chance to be the blog coordinator for the society and do three posts a week which helps with my commercial awareness. There are many fantastic events provided by the Careers Service post as well such as getting your CV checked over by a barrister at Keating Chambers.

As an international student you have an advantage over domestic students in the sense of life experience and you are not limited in the opportunities you can participate in, you just have to be willing to seek them out. The staff at City are always helpful in providing students with the tools necessary to succeed and if you would like to stay in the UK to work after school, City will provide you with every opportunity to make yourself employable. You just need to be open minded.

What helped me gain confidence in my employability skills in City, University of London

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Michelle Sarkisyan

School of Arts and Social Sciences, Undergraduate advice, career opportunities, Unitemps.

Thinking about the future is daunting, especially when you are in university. This is the time when you have to choose a career path, an interest of yours, and inevitably consider your professional growth and start applying for internships or employment.

This process is harder, especially when you are a fresher. It feels as if you are thrown into the adults’ pool and somehow you have to learn how to swim and stay above the water by yourself. You are overwhelmed by the environment – a new place of study, unfamiliar people, a new home and responsibilities like groceries and laundry are preying on your mind.

However, when it comes to the professional aspect of your development as a character and person in busy London, you are not alone. One of my favourite departments in City, University of London is the Careers, Student Development, and Outreach Centre.

The team of people working there are professionals whose aim is to support and provide us with the exact tools we need in order to enhance our employability. They offer a range of services – mock interviews, opportunities for part-time/temporary work or internships, career-related events, mentoring, and even recruitment. In my personal experience, I have mostly benefited from the Careers Consultant appointments I’ve had and Unitemps.

Careers Guidance appointment’s involve a one-to-one meeting with a professional, who can help you with your career ideas and plans, as well as creating a CV and cover letter for a specified job description. They are confidential and not intimidating. We discussed my strengths and how can I improve my weak points, as well as the issues relating to the transition from study to work. And most importantly, we worked on my CV and cover letter. As I have never written one, I initially trusted templates from Word but found this is not always a good enough approach soon enough. During the overview appointment, you can receive pieces of advice concerning the layout, what is important to include, how to present your best traits and even the way to correctly structure a sentence. This enables you to not only list jobs and skills you have acquired, but also to feel confident when handing in your CV.

When you have prepared, the next step will most probably be Unitemps. You can apply for a variety of job offers at all levels: temporary, permanent or paid internships roles, both at the University and in and around central London. You do not need to sign a contract with Unitemps, which gives you a flexible schedule and the freedom of choice. In that way, you can test your CV and cover letter writing techniques, start working as a Student Ambassador or as a temporary Charity CD Library Assistant like me, and through baby steps conquer internships and find jobs in your field of study.

With the Careers Department support, you have the basis to explore, try and most importantly practice in a safe environment. You can explore what gives you the most pleasure at work, try to apply to as many jobs as possible and practice your interview skills, adaptability and work ethics. Furthermore, you can work on your time-management skills and this is one of the most important strengths you must develop throughout the BA years.

How not to gain the “freshman 15” as a law student!

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Brooke Mcneil

The City Law School, Undergraduate Freshman 15, Law.

Have you ever heard anyone say, after their first year of university, that it looks like the “freshman 15” got them?

Are you going into your first year of law school and worried about gaining 15 pounds from sitting in class all day, and additionally, reading for hours in the library?

Well, look no further than my top ten tips to get you through your freshman year of law school without the extra 15 pounds!

1. Take breaks during your studying to visit CitySport, City’s on-campus sports and fitness centre. A bit of time out for exercise will also help you focus more and relieve any stress. You could also go for a walk or a run along the river and take in the sites of London.

2. Skip the unhealthy snacks when studying – as tempting as it may be to head straight for the chocolate (you may love it, but it does not feel the same way about you ….time to move on and pick up a new love named “carrot”!)

3. As a student, it can be hard to find the time to cook a proper meal. However, ordering a take-away every night is a bad idea! Yes, it might be the quick alternative (especially if you’re busy preparing for a big exam or assignment) but, try to plan ahead. Make all of your meals at the beginning of the week and then put them in the freezer.

4. Try to alternate when you eat carbohydrates, so that you are not eating them everyday. Yes, pasta every night is a great “broke student” diet, but not a great idea unless you are participating in regular exercise!

5. Do not eat too quickly, even if you have limited time in between classes. Yes you might be hungry, but eat slowly and enjoy your food.

6. Make time throughout the day to regularly eat. Eating multiple small meals throughout the day keeps your metabolism working faster in comparison to eating just three large meals a day.

7. Avoid late-night snacking. You should be sleeping anyways, as a lack of sleep can also play a role in contributing to your future 15-pound friend. Time management with schoolwork is key to ensuring a healthy sleep schedule.

8. Skip the sugary drinks, or at least drink them less often!

9. Join clubs to get you out of the house. It is a great way to meet new people. Even if it is a non-sport related club, it is still getting you off the couch and forcing you to take more steps and move around more than you would have if you did not join.

10. Above all else, don’t stress too much about the ‘freshman 15’. You’re only at university for a short amount of time, and it is supposed to be fun and exciting. If you are happy, healthy and enjoying yourself, does it really matter what number the scale says?

Summer job, or vacation?

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Nina Wanjala

Cass Business School, Undergraduate.

Thank you for reading my blog and following along on my journey at City so far! As usual, I’m going to begin by emphasising the subjectivity of this post. Everyone is different, and this post is just “my two cents” on how you can spend your summer as an international student (as a first-year international student, to be specific!)

Our generation can often feel a lot of pressure to always be busy, in addition to the pressure to continuously advance ourselves professionally for the sake of our future careers. Because of this, many university students opt to spend their summer holidays either interning, working or participating in external school-based activities.

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, there is a danger of allowing yourself to think that if you do not take part in any of these that you are “lazy” or less than your friends who are taking part in these activities.

My advice to a first-year student, especially one who is taking a challenging course that does not allow them the leisure of much free time, is to sleep your summer away. Okay, not quite! But, do not put unnecessary pressure on yourself to remain busy in the name of trying to keep up with everyone else. If you are able to travel or visit your home country, even better. It is very rejuvenating to go back home after a year of living in a foreign country. Rest, have fun with your friends, bond with your family, and generally take a break from the life that you’ve come from and that you will go back to. This is not to say that you should do absolutely nothing productive, you could learn a language, take a dance class, learn that instrument you’ve always wanted to, etc.

However, for those that actually want to take part in all these things, by all means, add value to your life! My perspective depends on so many factors, some of which are: your personality, your course, your attitude towards your home country and your goals. Also, in later years of university I do believe that you should do things related to your career, and spend your time wisely and deliberately.

Generally, I’m trying to say that if you’ve just began university, you mustn’t let the “overkill” mentality control you – because it easily can! Life is short and before you know it, you’ll be starting your career and working your way up the ladder. Therefore, there is no need to rush into it – sometimes it’s important to just press “pause” and enjoy your time as as student!