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Top 5 tips for international students this summer!

Summer is officially here and it’s the perfect time to reflect on how your year of study has gone. Now you have a break from university, you have more time to think about what is coming next year whether this is a new job or another year of study. In order to make the most of this time, we’ve got a few tips to help you get the most out of your break.

Review your year

Reaching the end of an academic year is a good opportunity to think about what has and hasn’t gone so well both academically and personally so that you can improve it. If you would like to increase your marks in a particular module, now is the time to work on it and come back in September loaded with new knowledge for the coming year. It’s also a good time to think about other changes, is there anything else you would like to do with your time while studying in the UK? September and a new term bring with it new opportunities. For example, is there a network or university society you have thought about joining? Anything that can expand your network of contacts will not only be good for you socially but could also provide you with connections when it comes to looking for a job at the end of your course.

Expand your experience

Using your summer to add to your working experience can be a great way to use your free time. Try to find summer internships or volunteering roles as these are often shorter contracts meaning that if you’re unsure about taking on too much during term-time, this won’t interfere. By adding to your working experience, you will show employers that you go the extra mile when it comes to your career.

Take time for yourself

 It’s not all about work, although it might feel like it sometimes! Take some time to look after yourself and have fun so you can recharge for the year ahead. The way to succeed is to ensure you get the balance right and don’t burn out. What are your favourite things to do with your free time? Try to incorporate these into every week you have off so by the end of the summer you don’t feel worn out.

Organise your social media

How you present yourself on social media is important. Some employers check Facebook accounts when hiring graduates, so make sure that yours presents you in a way that won’t affect any future job roles. If you don’t already have one, set up a LinkedIn account, this can sometimes be overlooked by students but it’s a great way to start a professional network early on and make connections with people that might be able to help you with a role in the future.

Meet your careers team

Before you pack up your belongings this year, check in with your universities careers team. They are training to help you with your CV, applications and give interview tips. If you need help to decide which direction to go in, they are there to help! Most universities also have these services available for alumni up to 3 years after graduation so make the most of their expertise.

If you need more careers guidance, see the GradLink advice pages for more support. We’ve developed a hub of information for international students from country-specific careers advice to our global jobs page. Register for free today!