Budgeting for College Life – HomeHak Top Tips

Managing money is a skill that some students may have learned at school but, for most, it takes time and practice. Having no money or stressing about money can be really miserable. Students who learn how to budget won’t just find their college experience easier: they’ll also have a useful skill for life. Here are HomeHaks top tips for budgeting for college.

Write down your income and expenses

Start with tracking your income and expenses with a money journal. Determine your income and find out how much you have to spend. Next, determine your expenses. Learn what you are spending and predict your future spending on rent, phone and other costs, as well as budgeting for variable expenses. Additionally, categorise income and expenses. You can also compare your income to your expenses. A household budget should be balanced, meaning that your income should equal or not exceed your expenses. If your expenses are higher than your income, you need to make cuts. Remember to make plans for unexpected or variable expenses. When considering this, think 50/30/20.

Keep in mind about 50% of your income should go on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings. Saving 20% may not always be possible, but it’s a goal worth aiming for as it can be a lifeline if unexpected expenses arise.

Budget list — Photo by Northfolk on Unsplash

Check out this article on how to create a budget.

Some of the problems when students first have to manage their money

You will be tempted to borrow money and getting into debt. What can happen is not paying debt back. Consequently, having a bad credit report which will stay with them for at least five years and could negatively impact future borrowing for business loans, cars, mortgage or other costs. Not managing their money correctly over a short period of time – spending all their money within a few days or weeks and having nothing left, depending on whether they are paid weekly or monthly. Spending too much money on non-essential things such as coffees and eating out. Learn a few nice packed lunches and bring a flask of coffee and you’ll save a small fortune. Linking college life to spending experiences – once out of college you will be forever spending money on things.

Top tips to cut costs and stay within budget.

If you and two other students are sharing a house, work together to bulk buy your food. Learn how to cook. There are plenty of free, online resources for recipes. If you want to buy something, take a breath and wait. Do you need those runners now, or can they wait? Always have your student card with you for discounts.

Budgeting for College Life - HomeHak Top Tips — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Budgeting helps you acquire life skills

Realise what a budget is: a way to have peace of mind, control of your finances and financial wellbeing. When we budget, we can be flexible, look at where we can save money and where it can go wrong. Develop self-awareness and understand your own strengths, weaknesses with financial temptations. Set goals: it’s very satisfying when you reach them. It allows you to focus on and become more committed to your budget. Having a budget allows you to make informed decisions – you are in control of your money instead of it controlling you.

To summarise

HomeHak has given a number of top tips to help in budgeting for college. First, write down your incomes and expenses. Examples of problems you might run into such as borrowing money and getting into debt. Tips to cut costs and budget. Finally, the benefits of budgeting.

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July 27, 2022November 29, 2022

Making Friends in Irish University? Here is how

It is your first time walking into a lecture theatre packed to the rafters with strange, unfamiliar faces. This can be a really overwhelming experience. Regardless of how confident you are in your abilities to make friends – especially at 18. HomeHak has put together some tips for getting to know people in college.

Connect with classmates online

After registration and in the early days of college, there will likely be a course group set up on social media. These are a great way to connect with the other students.

Attend course nights out

These nights out are a good way to get to know people in your course outside of the lecture halls or labs. Remember that everyone in your class wants to make friends. Additionally, enjoy their college experience.

Join clubs and societies

One of the best ways to get out and meet like-minded people who share some of the same interests is to go to club meetings. Attending club and organization meetings provides the common ground. This is essential to fostering conversations. Many people say that clubs and societies are what makes the college experience. Colleges offer so much choice in these areas. There’s really something for everyone. It provides a much easier opportunity to make friends. In comparison to large lecture halls filled with people you might not have similar interests to.

Hang around campus in between lectures

In college, you are going to have long periods of free time in between lectures. Try not to go home between lectures. Instead, spend your time talking in the different cafés. You can also just wandering around campus.

Group of girls — Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

All you need is one familiar face (and maybe a hobby you enjoy)

Keep an eye out for a familiar sight. Another student looking just about as lost and scared as you are. Build up the courage to say hello. In college, all you need is one familiar face and you are set. This face will keep popping up.

Treat your shared interest as an icebreaker

Through your shared interest in the same topics, you will get close quickly. Before you know it, you will be really good friends. Societies and clubs are a great way to make friends. Put yourself out there. Join clubs or societies. Go to events and gigs where you can meet like-minded people. Step outside of your comfort zone. Look beyond the borders of your class. It’s very likely you will find people to connect with outside of your class too.

Be authentic, be you

Your college experience is a pivotal moment. Therefore, you want to make sure that you spend time with individuals who appreciate your unique qualities. They will be the main drivers in creating long-lasting friendships.

To summarise

Leaving the soft cocoon of your circle of school friends for bigger classes in subjects you’ve often never studied before can be hard. Fortunately, if you’re feeling a little off, there’ll be student support services in every college designed to help you get on your feet in college and make the most of your time there. As nerve-racking as making friends is, we hope you keep these tips in mind to help you foster unbreakable bonds.

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July 27, 2022November 29, 2022

Health and Fitness Top Tips for University Students in Ireland

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Many students suddenly find themselves in new routines. Which, usually do not involve the words “fitness” and “exercise”. Basically a healthy, academically productive lifestyle.

Here’s HomeHak’s top tips on health and fitness. Everything on how to break the vicious cycle of living an unhealthy lifestyle. Showing you how to start a new exercise routine.

Runners — Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash

Just do it

To get started, first fine-tune your mind. Think about all the benefits of activity and exercise. Do not be ashamed to write these down for reference. The only person who can motivate you to get started is you. So after you give it a think, an easy way to move forwards is simply to get outside and start moving! Check out this article on the benefits of exercise.

Take it step by step

Fitness is a long-term goal. One that will hopefully stay with you for the rest of your life. No one needs to overstretch their limits in the early stages of a new exercise routine. Write a list of all the fitness goals you want to achieve in increments. It makes things more organised for planning and executing your aims.

Join a student club

A university is a place where people from all different backgrounds unite and learn. There is a society and club for everyone. You just need to put effort into a little research!

Choose activities you enjoy

Which type of exercise is suitable for you? Do you enjoy group activities, or are you a solo rider? These points are just some of the many things to think about when you’re choosing a sustainable exercise routine for university. If you enjoy something, it’s much more likely that that activity will stick around for good.

Two men cycling — Photo by David Dvoracek on Unsplash

Find a buddy

Getting started with exercising and fitness with a friend can be extremely rewarding and motivational. Having a partner or an exercise buddy can mean many things. Such as fewer workouts skipped. Less excuses not to exercise and more company and deep conversations as you all work together for a fitter, healthier body.

Finally, it’s important not to forget one word: balance. Balance is important when you’re living life to the fullest. It’s also very significant when you’re striving for a healthy lifestyle. So, get started today – even right now – why not head out for a walk or jog and start stretching those muscles! We hope you enjoyed HomeHak’s top health and fitness tips!

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July 27, 2022January 10, 2023

Daily Activities of Successful Students in Irish Universities

There is a common opinion that if you study hard and struggle you will get a good result in the exam. But the reality is different. So how can a student be successful and phenomenal in every step of life? HomeHak has put together some daily activities of successful students.

Wake up early

The first daily activities of successful students is getting up early. People who tend to be more organised, wake up early in the morning, so they have more time to get all their tasks completed. This is going to give you more free time during your busy day as well.

Workouts or Exercise

Waking up early in the morning and moving your body is a must as part of your daily activities. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of exercising early in the morning.

Morning Workouts Enhance Your Metabolism
A Good Morning Workout Routine Will Help Cultivate Consistency
Morning Exercise Improves Your Physical and Mental Energy
Early Morning Workouts Help You Develop Strong Self-Discipline
A Morning Exercise Routine Will Help You Get Better Sleep

Plan Routine in your daily activities

During the morning, make sure to plan out your own routine that’s going to help you do and finish everything on time. A well-constructed routine will not only make you feel fulfilled and like you’re doing the things you’re supposed to, but you will also be on time with everything and will contribute to your overall well-being. Organize the routine based on things you enjoy doing, and it will become second nature to you.

Learn Something New every day

Do you learn something new every day and add to your knowledge? Try to throw information to your brains in every second of the day. No matter how much you accomplish but try to learn something every day. You feel a lot better about the things you do learn because you’re actually backing them up with actions. So every day was the day to learn something new.

Clean Up

Disciplined students always keep clean and organized everything. They take a bath every day because taking a bath has many pros. It can improve heart health, help you to breathe easier and your brain and nervous system can benefit from bathing. Moreover, having a clean space and home will improve the quality of the indoor air, improves mental clarity and deters stress, and housekeeping kills germs.

Read Books Every day

Reading books has many significant benefits and pros. The more you read books, the more you will realize your ignorance and see the better views of life. In addition, it reduces your stress, improves your knowledge, gives stronger analytical thinking skills, and gives you better writing skills.

Reading-a-book — Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Use the Internet in your Daily Activities

Successful students always research on the internet, because it internet innovate our daily life, also the positive use of the Internet makes their lives easy and simple. The Internet provides them useful data, information, and knowledge for personal, social, and economic development and make them aware of the world.

Complete Your Assignments on Time

Whether it’s your environment or time management skills, it’s easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework but finishing homework for organized students are approachable. Because they set aside a specific time to do their homework and create a schedule that will help them to remember their homework. Check out this article for tips to manage time and tasks.

Prepare Overnight

It’s always good to even prepare certain things overnight. Whether it is your outfit or homework or whatever else, don’t leave anything you can get done today for tomorrow or any other day for that matter.

To summarise

Most position holders at school, college or university get a good result and they successfully pass the exam. Although, despite having good grades, when they graduate, the only thing that matters a lot is their knowledge and the ability to operate within the system. We hope you enjoyed HomeHaks daily activities of successful university students and got some inspiration to implement!

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July 26, 2022September 30, 2022

University Student Internship Role in Ireland – What to Expect?

What does a university student intern do exactly you might be thinking? Contrary to popular belief, an internship isn’t about organising a filing cabinet or making coffees all day for your boss. The responsibilities of an intern have evolved. You’ll find yourself working on different projects.

Here is more on internship and placement in Ireland. HomeHak has shared some insights into the role of an intern below.

What is a university student intern?

An intern is a trainee who has signed on with an organisation for a brief period. An intern’s goal is to gain work experience, occasionally some university credit, and always an overall feel for the industry they’re interning in. Internships may be paid, partially paid, or unpaid. The work experience period may range from a handful of weeks up to 2 years. It’s also not uncommon to receive a full-time offer upon completion of your internship with a company. Studies show that employers like to hire interns and use their internships as well to source new talent for their company.

Where can you intern?

You can intern pretty much anywhere you would like. In most cases, you have the option of doing an internship close to home or abroad. An international internship can help give you a competitive edge in today’s saturated job market. Even better, an international internship is a fantastic way to help you build a global career and network.

What does an intern do?

That depends on the industry in question and the kind of internship you’ve signed up for. A university student intern is primarily a support role – at least in the beginning. When you join up, your main job will be to assist, learn, and grow. After you’ve settled in, you’ll be expected to pull your own weight.

Assist and contribute to the team!

As an intern, don’t expect to spearhead a critical project right off the bat, at least not yet. In the beginning of your internship, you may spend your time simply trying to learn how the company works. You may shadow an employee to get an understanding of their role. After a day or a few days of learning the ins-and-outs of the company. You’ll start to assist and contribute more to the team. Some duties to be performed include clerical duties, managing social media and emails, event handling and research.

Learn and gain experience

This is an opportunity to learn as much as you possibly can while you work, regardless of the kind of internship you’ve signed up for. It can be broken down into two main areas: hard skills are the technical skills you need to carry out your intern responsibilities, and eventually job duties, and soft skills are all about your ability to relate to people and building mutually-beneficial relationships.

Job shadow

Job shadowing has become the norm recently. As the name suggests, the practice involves “shadowing” someone as they perform their daily duties, observing their activities, and learning what the role entails via indirect experience.

Take on an increasing amount of responsibility

As time goes by, expect to shoulder an increasing amount of responsibility. Initially, they’ll gauge your current skill set and reliability with your initial workload.

Networking

This involves building relationships with your bosses, colleagues, and customers and clients. You’ll need the backing and support of people in places to build a successful career. Also, building good relationships with customers is always good for the organisation. Here are some tips on how to network while on placement.

Make a career call

Finally, usually at the tail-end of your internship, you have to make a career-defining decision. Do you continue in the field you interned in or try your hand at something else entirely. You got a taste of what working in your industry full-time would be like. Did you love the experience and can’t wait to dive back in again? Or do you feel you’d be happier doing something else? That’s the beauty of an internship, you can always go into another field you would like.

Reference

You should have the goal to secure a solid employer reference at the end of your internship. This will help you throughout the rest of your professional career. Check out this article to see how to ask someone to be a reference

To summarise

It’s important you enter your internship with the right mindset. Also, carrying out your intern responsibilities successfully will assist you in building up a potent skill set that will shine in your next role.

For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:

July 26, 2022October 3, 2022

University Student Internship in Ireland – How to Get one

Even if not required, completing a University Student internship while in college gives you exposure to the workforce. It helps develop your skills. Additionally, it begins to fill out your resume so that acquiring work is easier for you later.

College education in itself used to be enough to guarantee you a high-paying job after graduation. But with more and more choosing to attend college, a degree alone unfortunately doesn’t cut it anymore. Employers expect you to have internship experience. This is so that you come to your first job out of school ready to hit the ground running.

We know that getting one can be tough — which is why we’ve come up with a guide. Follow HomeHak’s top tips to get an internship and you’ll get an offer in no time!

Young people working on a white board — Photo by Austin Diste on Unsplash

University students need to consider their qualifications

What is one of the most common misconceptions that university students have about how to get an internship? That they must apply to every position that catches their eye to increase their odds. But this is a sure-fire recipe for radio silence from recruiters and hiring managers. Instead, think about the skills and experience you currently possess, and which positions you might be a good fit for based on that information.

A few ways to narrow down which internships are right for you:

Think about your degree: Look up common career fields and job titles for people with your major.
Consider your experience: Think about your previous work experience, and which roles it might prepare you for.
Identify transferable skills: Skills that help you succeed in school or in the student organisations you participate in — such as organisation, critical thinking and time management — will all be useful in the working world.
Explore your interests: With how much time you spend at work, you want to make sure you enjoy it! Write down a few career fields that interest you, and search internships in those areas.
Start small: Don’t feel pressured to get your dream internship right away, especially if you have no prior work experience.

Know Where to Look

Once you have a more concrete idea of which university student internships would be the right fit, it’s time to see what’s out there! Here’s how you can do that.

Visit Job Sites: Websites like Glassdoor have millions of job listings, so you’re bound to find something that’s right for you. You can search for the internship titles you’re interested in.
Use Your College’s Career Resources: Almost all colleges have a career site where employers interested in hiring their students can post positions. Career and internship fairs can also be invaluable, as they allow you to connect face-to-face with hiring decision-makers. Here is an example of one.
Leverage Your Network: Getting a personal recommendation can make all the difference in your internship search, so make sure to reach out to friends, family, colleagues, classmates, professors and alumni to see if they know anyone hiring.
Contact Companies Directly: If you have a dream company in mind, but they don’t have any relevant internships, you can always try writing them a letter of interest in hopes that they will either contact you when one opens or even create a new one for you.

Prepare Your Application Materials

No matter what job you apply to, there are a few key materials you’re going to want to have on hand. Here are the most common ones, and how to perfect them before you apply.

Resumes are brief documents that showcase your skills, education and professional background. Typically, resumes will contain your name and contact info, education, professional summary, work experience, skills and additional experience.

Cover letters add additional colour and context to your application. They should persuade whoever is reading the letter that you are uniquely right for the job. They show that you are passionate about the opportunity, and provide a more well-rounded picture of who you are as a candidate.

Social Media Profiles – many recruiters use social media to research candidates. So if you haven’t already, you may want to create a professional social media profile, especially on a networking site like LinkedIn.

Interview Like an Expert as a university student

Before your interview, make sure to look up some basic information on the company — things like what products/services they offer, who’s on their leadership team, what milestones they’ve reached recently, who their competitors are, etc.

Make sure to come up with a few questions of your own. Ask your interviewer specific questions about the company. This will show that you are passionate, curious and well-informed. Here are 7 good questions to ask at an interview.

Job interview — Photo by Christina Wocintech on Unsplash

Follow Up & Finalise the Offer

We recommend that you send a thank-you note to anybody you spoke with. Thank-you notes show that you’re organised and thoughtful, which both matter a great deal to employers.

With any luck, you’ll get an internship offer from the company shortly afterwards. Most companies make it official by sending you an offer letter, which you will be expected to sign and return to them. Look out for important details like start dates, responsibilities, pay and location. You should also ask if there’s anything you can do between now and your start date in order to prepare for your role — you want to make sure to start off on the right foot.

To summarise

College is the ideal time to gain the knowledge and experience needed to prepare you for a new career. While it is a transition time into adulthood where critical thinking and a broader sense of learning is acquired, traditionally it is also where moves to start a career are made. For this reason, attending college and acquiring an internship often go hand in hand.

We hope you enjoyed HomeHak’s university student internship in Ireland – how to get one top tips guide!

For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:

July 26, 2022January 10, 2023

Struggling to Get a Student Internship in Ireland? Here is What To Do

Struggling to Get a Student Internship in Ireland? Here is What To Do.

Struggling to gain an internship somewhere? Losing confidence? Feeling anxious? So, you applied for every possible internship available. You did all your research, got your applications in on time, asked everyone you know if they can help you and yet you still have not managed to secure a coveted internship place this time round.

And you’re panicking. Naturally of course, because every graduate employer tells you just how important work experience is. It’s frustrating, we know, but setbacks like this can happen. Being an academically strong student, this might even be the first time you have been rejected from something.

The key thing however is not to despair. How you handle such obstacles is key to your own personal development. We promise with a bit of lateral thinking, you can get the experience you need to make your CV stand out. HomeHak has put together a few tips to help you develop professionally and stand out from the crowd.

Expand your search

Have you only applied to the big names? Consider that there may be plenty of other companies out there that could also offer you a valuable insight into the sector in which you’re interested. Gaining sound work experience at a suitable company, be it big, small or boutique, adds value to your CV at this stage, so do not dismiss this.

Try freelancing or build your own project

If you have a particular skill, like writing, programming, or design, put out a call to your network or create a profile on sites like Upwork to trade your skills for paid projects. Not only will you hone your skills, but you’ll gain valuable experience meeting real deadlines and delivering real results – all while bringing in some money.

Take up online classes

As another option, you could consider doing a short course or extra educational qualification. Learning a language, learning to code or learning to drive are all extra skills you can put down on your CV. One example is Bright Network Academy. There are plenty of websites offering courses that you can take up online. You can find a huge variety of subjects ranging from business and management to humanities. Explore online courses from websites like FutureLearn, edX, or Coursera to build professional skills.

Learn a new language

Depending on the field you’re going into, speaking another language can improve your employability and increase your overall job prospects. You can start by checking out free online language learning platforms like Duolingo and Memrise.

If you are struggling volunteer for organisations in your areas of interest

Volunteering looks great on your CV. Often you can find volunteering opportunities in something that is relevant or appropriate to you. From volunteering you will gain great transferrable skills and experience. It also demonstrates that your time is spent productively and that you have a humanitarian side to you.

Expand your professional network

To help your internship or job search in the future, take this time to reach out to people and expand your network. Even if you don’t attend networking events, it is possible to grow your network through LinkedIn.

Build your personal brand

Keep building your personal brand through a personal website. If you don’t have one yet, you can easily set it up over the summer. Check out hosts that allow you to build one for free, like WordPress or Wix. A personal website is a great advantage for college students and professionals alike because it allows future employers to view your background and see how well you apply what you know.

To summarise

Internships aren’t the only way to set yourself up for rewarding full-time opportunities. From building your own projects to learning new skills to networking virtually, you can take charge and be proactive in your professional and personal growth. We hope you enjoyed HomeHak’s top recommendations if you are struggling to get a student internship in Ireland.

For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:

July 26, 2022January 10, 2023

The Wrong Things- What NOT To Do on Your Irish Student Internship

The Wrong Things – What NOT To Do on Your Irish Student Internship

We are always told what we should do in placements. But what about the things we SHOULD NOT do? The wrong things? Some may think that it is common sense. But it’s just as important to point out what you should NOT do as it is to point out what students SHOULD do.

Here are HomeHak’s top tips of what NOT to do on your placement.

The wrong things? Keep reading.

Do NOT break the dress code

Even if you are comfortable at the company and see other employees wearing jeans or flip flops. A major wrong things to do is dressing down. Unless you are specifically instructed to do so by your internship coordinator/director.

Do NOT park in any spot but where you were assigned to park

The last thing you want is for a security official to have to track you down and have you move your car. You don’t want to block an executive in and be a burden to anyone. Common sense goes hand in hand with doing the wrong things.

Do NOT keep your phone ringer on

Vibrate is not acceptable. Turn your phone completely off. Don’t even get caught pressing the IGNORE button. It should sit in your pocket or purse the entire day and not be touched unless you are on a break or lunch.

Stay away from scrolling social media

Be as focused as you can on your placement. Make sure you are not checking Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc… It is VERY awkward to get caught on there from your boss.

Laptops-Table — Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

Never sit around

Make sure you volunteer yourself when you aren’t doing anything. Many placement coordinators don’t realise that you have completed tasks. Take the initiative to approach them and see if they need help.

Don’t interrupt

Being eager is a wonderful quality as an intern, but don’t interrupt people when they are speaking – even if to ask for help. Wait your turn.

Know your place

Let’s face it, as a placement student, you are starting from the bottom. If important work related conversations are happening, take a step back. At least pretend like you are listening and show the executives/boss your full respect. Don’t give your boss any “great” ideas unless he/she asks for them. Some people might take your ideas and brainstorming as you feeling “more entitled” than others.

Ask before you eat

Make sure you ask if it is ok to eat at your desk before just taking out your lunch and eating. Some companies are very sensitive about food around their computers.

Don’t give a half-effort

Make sure you complete every task to the fullest extent possible. You want to go above and beyond in order to stand out and for people to remember your name and your work.

Don’t use only your first name

When introducing yourself to people, state your first and last name. You want everyone to remember you. This distinguishes you from other people with the same first name.

Always Ask

Make sure to ask questions. Even if you feel stupid, it is so much better to ask questions than to just do the wrong things. Make sure you know what you are asking and that you are coming across clearly.

Finally to finish on a few last reminders – make clear copies, don’t jam the printer, don’t spill the coffee, don’t mess up the coffee, don’t print on paper with holes unless you are instructed to, don’t use colored pens, don’t speak too loudly, don’t draw too much attention to yourself with your personality or appearance. Try not to chew gum, use curse words, show up late, or anything that you would have been in trouble for in secondary school.

Too often interns will think they have to do everything by themselves — you don’t! Your managers and teammates are there to help you overcome roadblocks and manage tough questions and issues. Interns should always be open to learning new things and not be afraid to go out of their comfort zones.

To summarise

Your summer internship is ending, and your mission is to turn it into a real job. You are nervous, you don’t want to be rejected, and you don’t know where to start. Check out this article for further tips on things you musn’t do if you want to get a real job.

Make sure you’ve told your supervisor that you are interested in a job at the company. It’s also imperative that you ask that person for advice on how to get jobs at their specific company. Take the time to follow the directions your supervisor provides on how to turn the internship into the job. We hoped you learned from our guide on the wrong things to do on your Irish student internship!

For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:

July 26, 2022October 3, 2022

Irish Student University Internship – Here is What TO DO Well!

Irish Student University Internship are a great way to test the waters of the working world, get credits for university or even launch a career. Even though you’re only hired for a few months, it’s your time to shine and make sure you become the intern of all interns.

Placement experience can help you make long-lasting career connections, get great recommendations for future positions and teach you a lot about an industry.

Play your cards right, and a work experience placement can be a stepping-stone to being offered your dream job. Government statistics show that 42% of those who undertake work experience placements are offered a job at the end. But what’s the best way to make it into a golden opportunity? From researching the company thoroughly before starting to showing initiative and being prepared to get your hands dirty. HomeHak is going to share with you a few tips that can help ensure that you’re successful in your role at an Irish student university internship.

Make a great impression at an Irish student university internship

Start strong by showing your manager that you’re excited, engaged, and serious. Besides dressing well, you should show up early and stay eager. Ask your boss what he or she would like to see from you.

Ask questions, and carry a notebook

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and be sure to jot down notes. You’ll not only remember important things, you’ll also signal an important message to your boss. Whenever you’re in a meeting or shadowing someone, always take notes. That way your boss will see that you’re paying attention and are engaged from day one.

Set up coffee meetings with your co-workers

Use coffee breaks as an opportunity to get to know your boss and your co-workers better. Ask them about their experience,. Also, about their vision for the company over the next few months then bring the conversation back to actionable ways that you can make an impact in your position. By reaching out to your team, you’ll be perceived as more likeable and friendly, and that will make you more likely to get hired and promoted. This is also a great way to build up your professional network.

Two-people-drinking-coffee-at-work — Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Offer to help on additional projects

Once you know your responsibilities and can complete them well, go the extra mile. Aim to complete a few “nice-to-have” items – terms for projects your boss has mentioned in passing but hasn’t had the time to do. If your boss has said, “Eventually we’ll want to do this…” follow up on it and ask how you can help. This will impress your supervisor. It sends a clear message that you’re serious about your internship.

Don’t leave at night without stopping by your boss’ desk

At 5 p.m. it may be tempting to pack up and go, but stop by your manager’s desk first. Don’t just disappear at the end of the day. Ask your manager if there is anything else they need right now. If you’re asked to complete some small task, do it without rushing through it. Your boss will appreciate that you’re not simply at the internship to get your hours in.

Keep a record of what you accomplish

Write down everything you accomplish at the end of your first week, and every week after that. The simple trick won’t just boost your self-confidence. Having a track record of the ways that you’re contributing to the company as an Irish student university internship will come in handy when you’re ready to ask for a recommendation letter, or if you are thinking about joining the company full-time. With this list of skills you learned and projects you accomplished, you’ll be better prepared to help your manager write a great reference letter for you. You can also vouch for yourself if there’s an opportunity for a full-time role.

At the end of your placement

Send a thank-you note after you finish your placement; it’s usually best to do this via email or post, rather than on social media. This shows courtesy, and will help to ensure that you’re remembered.

Providing your school and workplace allow it, you might want to consider keeping in touch with your employer. Your manager or colleagues may have useful advice or even contacts and opportunities to pass along to you in the future. Before you leave, ask for their preferred method of keeping in touch.

To summarise

If you don’t enjoy your Irish student university internship, you may decide against keeping in contact or pursuing that career. However, this doesn’t make the experience a waste of time. Every experience in a work environment looks great on a CV, so take some time to reflect. Identify any transferable skills you’ve picked up, and make sure you can illustrate them with specific examples – perhaps you showed that you’re a quick learner by familiarising yourself with a new software package. Be sure to make a note of any acquired skills during or soon after the placement so you don’t forget the details.

For more information on internships in Ireland, check out our other articles:

July 26, 2022September 30, 2022

University Experience in Ireland – How to Make the Most of it.

You have decided on a course, packed your bags and said your goodbyes to your family. It is now time to forge your identity and find your community in third level education. Keep reading to find out how to make the most of your university experience in Ireland.

Choosing where to go to college is important, but so are the everyday decisions about how you go to college. These are the building blocks to a great college experience where you can find your people, purpose, and career path. Here are HomeHak’s top tips to help you create a college experience that works for you.

Lead a student organisation

Whether a club, sports team, or something else, you’ll benefit greatly from leading something in college. It will build your confidence, skills, and a network. It will also help you identify and work toward your life and career goals. Have an interest in art and craft but there is presently no club for it? Create one and meet like minded people! Here is an example of setting up a society in Trinity.

Make use of the library

In addition to using your library as a place to study, libraries can help you on a research project, write more effectively, analyse and visualise data, record and edit videos, and make better presentations. Students who use libraries do better academically and are 1.44 times more likely to graduate. Here is how to make the most of the library in university.

University-library — Photo by Trnava University on Unsplash

Find your study space

Your dorm room or apartment might not be the best environment in which to do your homework and studying. Those are the places where you sleep, relax and hang out with friends, so it makes sense that you might feel less-than-productive if you try to do work there, too.

Scope out the library or the nooks and crannies of your student union building to find your ideal working space. Most campuses have a variety of student lounges, designated quiet areas and department-specific study rooms.

Find a study space that is ideal for your noise preferences and creative inspiration and make it a habit to do chunks of your homework there. It’ll be easier for you to concentrate and you’ll retain information better.

Meet with a lecturer

It’s normal to not feel like you belong, to question your major, to doubt your abilities, and to be confused as you make your way through the complexities of college. Meeting with a lecturer can give the guidance and encouragement you need. Students who meet regularly with their lecturers are more likely to stay in third level education. Here are some tips on how to ask your lecturer for help.

Attend extracurricular lectures and seminars

Nearly every university brings guest speakers and lecturers to campus for its students. Take advantage of these unique opportunities to learn something new and maybe even meet some really cool people to enhance your university experience. Even the most famous of guest speakers who talk on college campuses are willing to shake hands and answer questions after their talk. Check out your school’s calendar of upcoming events.

Join a sports team for university experience

If you want to make new friends while also getting some exercise, join a sports team. Most colleges and universities offer many different kinds of men’s, women’s and co-ed teams for a variety of sports.

Girls training in college — Photo by Andrea Tummons on Unsplash

Participate in a local community project

Check out your local community and see if you can volunteer on any community projects. For example working with a group of students to create a social media plan for a local business, help with the local tidy towns committee or volunteer at local sports clubs. These projects not only give you a chance to make an impact but will make your curriculum vitae stand out among your peers. Here is more on how to get involved in your local community.

Get an internship

In most third level institutes, you will have the option to go on placement. Please take this opportunity and do not shy away from it. It is an invaluable experience which will help kick start your career. Applying lessons from the classroom to the real-world is critical. Placements are a great way to do this. Students who have internships are more hireable when they go to get a job after education. Here is a guide to finding an internship during college.

Exercise and eat well

You need to take responsibility for your physical health and wellness by eating foods from every food group and exercising regularly. Studies have found that most college students weren’t eating even one full serving of fruits and vegetables a day. Not only is that terrible for your body, but it also promotes poor eating habits that could continue to affect you throughout your life.

When you eat well and exercise, you feel better about yourself, get sick less often and have more energy. All of these things can help you be a more productive student, but can also help you go for your dream job after graduation and live a longer, healthier life as an adult.

To summarise

Keep an open mind about new things to make the most of your university experience. Throughout your college years, you’ll be exposed to many new kinds of people, music, ideas and hobbies. If you remain open to trying new things, you are very likely to find new lifelong passions and interests.

For more reading on university life in Ireland, check out our article:

College Life in Ireland for University Students Ultimate Guide