Pinch punch first of the month

Morning Year 13,

I hope you are all keeping well and busy. Hopefully you will have heard from your tutor this week and either you, or one of your parents has given an update on what you've all been up to and how you're coping. 

Just a reminder, that if you are struggling, you do not need to wait for this phone call to let us know. Please do feel free to email me or your tutor at any time if you are having a hard time. We are still very much here for you!

I know that some of you feel a bit lost at the moment and so, here are a few things you can be getting on with to make sure that you are fully prepared for University or the world of work.

How to present yourself professionally and network online:
As we have recently been given the status of a "World Class School", we have been offered bespoke sessions for current  #worldclass Year 13  students on how to present themselves professionally and network online, through platforms such as LinkedIn. 

This will take place on Zoom on May 12th, 4-5pm.

If you would like to take part, please email Mr Gower (pgower@salesian.surrey.sch.uk) to express your interest.

Summer Internships
InvestIN are hosting 'Live & Online' Internships in 10 careers this summer, which students aged 15-18 can register for now. 

These Summer Internships will give you the opportunity to gain crucial multi-day summer work experience with successful professionals in a live, interactive environment, all from the comfort of their own homes. 

Students will work alongside experienced Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Investment Bankers, Computer Scientists, Psychologists, United Nations staff, CEOs, Architects and Filmmakers, to gain an immersive, 360-degree experience of their dream profession.

You can also choose to attend a 1-2-1 career coaching session, where a professional will create a bespoke personal development plan for them.

All 'Live & Online' Summer Internships last 4 days and take place in July and August. The first 3 days are dedicated to immersive experiences of that career alongside top professionals and Q&A/virtual networking time with them. Day 4 is dedicated to personalised career coaching - a sector recruitment expert will look at your credentials and create a bespoke development plan so you can maximise your chances of success. You can choose to attend either all 4 days or just the first 3. 

If you would like to find out more information on this, including what internships are on offer and how to sign up, then you can find more information here.

I found this handy article on 'how to prepare for your time at University'. Universities were asked for (a) 5 things they wished all undergraduates came to their university knowing/able to do and (b) the top 3 pieces of advice for Year 13s during these uncertain times which will help them prepare for university.

• Dr Christina Malathouni: Time management would be my No. 1: there is a change of gear in University, one must make more own choices and juggle many diverse tasks.
• @LivUniLibrary: Presentations - the slides & the speaking; Time management for deadlines, learning by yourself etc; Note taking - from lectures or other sources; Reading - for assignments; Writing for the academic level.
• @LivUniKnowHow: Managing independent learning and planning ahead to meet deadlines and prioritising tasks is key! Also developing the ability to read critically and question what is being presented by a source of information.
• Student 1: How to reference!
• Student 2: I'd say life skills would be far more useful to them in that first year than getting ahead on the reading. For example, how to make three quick, simple meals (preferably from tinned/frozen ingredients) and learn to clean a toilet/bathroom properly.
• Budgeting – It is never too early to start conversations around how a student will pay their way at university. Students will receive their loans in three instalments through the academic year, so it is vitally important that they know how to budget properly. Students should have conversations with their family/supporters now so that they understand what their income (loan, savings, part-time work, bursaries…) and outgoings will be (accommodation, travel, food, books…). Many students have part time jobs while they study so they could start looking for options before starting at university. Students can also start looking at what student bank accounts are on offer as many have benefits such as interest free overdrafts, and free rail cards (check the small print for repayments though!) If students plan their budget right, they can focus on their studies and the fun side of university life instead!
• Keeping up with academic work - Students may wonder why their teachers are still setting them work to do at home. It is vital that students keep up with their studies, as universities will expect students to have a solid academic knowledge that they can build upon in the first year of their degree. If students slip behind academically now, they may struggle to cope once they start university.
• Social media – Most Universities will have social media accounts for students to follow so that they can get a sense of what is on offer, and where they can get advice before they arrive on campus. Academic departments and halls of residences will often have their own accounts to help students make friends, and to coordinate who is bringing the saucepans for the shared kitchen in their flat!

• @durham_uni: I would recommend students checking out our @thedurhamstudent Instagram channel – these are real Durham University students who post about what life is like at uni, what they wished they had known, etc.
• @durham_uni: Check out their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvssHjlEWKPYJ6tIjnoEdQ/videos
• Check out ‘Day in life’ blogs, cover many of the subjects and courses available at Durham and give a good insight into how student spend their days and balance their time, as well as lots of information on studying and academic work - https://sites.durham.ac.uk/studentblog/
• Carina Font, a second-year from St Mary's studying Marketing and Management: https://sites.durham.ac.uk/studentblog/what-i-wish-id-known-before-coming-to-durham/
• https://sites.durham.ac.uk/studentblog/a-letter-to-my-sixth-form-self/

• University of Birmingham student blog: https://life.bham.ac.uk/ug/ - content written by current students.
• Skills4uni platform helps prepare for the transition to University study and can be found at https://www.skills4uni.bham.ac.uk
• Student finance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbnqLZRjoAk  

• There are lots of articles online for things like 'top ten things to know before starting University'. This one on Prospects.ac.uk is particularly helpful:
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying-for-university/university-life/10-things-to-do-before-starting-university
• There is a wealth of helpful content on our University website, Students Union website, and on our YouTube channel:
• https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate
• https://www.cardiffstudents.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/user/cardiffuni

I would also thoroughly recommend following UCAS as well as your firm and insurance choices on social media (facebook, instagram etc.). They are constantly posting really helpful tips and advice and keeping future students up to date with any Covid 19 changes.

Finally, I have also been in contact with a number of Salesian College 2019 Leavers who are sending me their top tips for first year at University/the world of work and will let you know what they have to say!

That's all for now folks. I hope you have a happy day 😀