Preparing for your final year: what to focus on now

Your final year of study will soon be here

Just one more academic year, and you’ll be wearing graduation capes and living your after-university plans, be it pursuing a masters degree, a career, or taking some well-deserved time off.

You have learnt everything you need to do so far which will help you academically in your final year! During your first and second year, you have learnt how to effectively conduct research, how to properly use referencing and so much more. You are well-equipped. However, with your final year comes your dissertation, applying for graduate jobs and figuring out what to do with your life. In order to make this much easier, with a lot less pressure, here are some things you can focus on now to prepare for your final year:

Start thinking about your Dissertation!

I cannot stress this enough. Many students leave planning for their dissertation till the last minute and they fall victim to stress. Don’t forget that you will have other module assessments to complete while you write your dissertation. So, choose a topic now, start planning how you’ll finish your dissertation on time, and speak to your programme leader or lecturers early on. Start something now and you will be way ahead in terms of preparation for your final year.

Decide your after-university goals

Do you know what you want to do after university? Which industry do you want to build a career in? Do you have all the relevant skills and experience needed to apply to your desired graduate role? What course do you want to pursue for your master’s degree? Do you have enough money saved for your after-university trip abroad? If you are starting a business, do you have a business idea? All these questions will come up during your final year whether you like it or not. If you do not already have the answers to these, you should start thinking on what you want to do now.

After deciding your goals, you need to take steps to follow these through. Graduate roles, internships and placement years are available to apply for months in advance. Start applying early for more opportunities. Also, explore what the university has to offer. There are many opportunities and resources like Student Futures that the University has available for learning, job searching, interview and assessment centre practice, starting a business, networking and much more, so explore these.

The power of networking

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job search and networking. Use this to focus on connecting with industry professionals, building your portfolio and optimising your profile for opportunities. I know of students who have been offered graduate job roles based on their LinkedIn profile, so focus on building yours.

As you will be juggling a lot of projects at the same time, master time management skills now and create a routine that will let you work productively in your final year – and finish university with a bang!

Find out more about Student Futures at UON

Omotola Olagunju

Omotola is a third year student studying International Business Management. Her course is filled with fun diverse set of people and she loves the opportunities that are provided alongside studying, such as travelling to a new country and gaining new cultural experiences. She enjoys business or entrepreneurial relations, reading, drawing, and gaining new experiences.