work

Being a college student can be very demanding, and if you add work and personal life to your study schedule, you can often end up with a very overwhelming task to meet. However, with a few tips and some good planning, you can stark a good balance between college, work and fun. Here is some advice that will help you survive this stressful time in your life.

Have a good schedule

A good schedule will keep you informed. You will know when you're due to start a project, finish an assignment or meet a colleague, so you can easily fill the gaps with a few fun things to do like meet your friends, catch up with your favorite TV show or have a pampering day. Sticking to your timetable is very hard yet very important. But, once you see how much easier it is to balance everything when equipped with a fool-proof schedule, you will find it easy to stick to it.

Learn good time management

If you don't pay attention, college life can take every waking moment of your day. Many new students feel like they need to find the time to participate in every social event on campus and join as many clubs they can. Once you finish with everything on campus, you will have no time to see your friends or relax. So, learn how to manage your time, prioritize, divide your day into portions and you will get to fit everything into one day without issues.

With graduation imminent and four hard years of studying coming to an end, it's time to leave behind the comforting familiarity of university for the cold, harsh world of work.

It's a big step which, whilst boasting some pretty serious positives (who else can't wait for their first fulltime paycheque to bolster their bank account?), also comes with a lot of drawbacks.

Mostly, getting used to a new and strange environment.

Yup, your first day of your first real job after university is on the horizon, and you're already feeling nervous.

It's an understandably nerve-wracking experience, but the good news is, we've all been there.

Which means we've got plenty of advice to help make your first day a success.

Here are four tips that'll let you walk into your new office feeling confident and ready to take on the world. Check them out.

#1: do some research

Before your first day, take some time to Google your new employer and their industry. Doing this background research should help to put your mind at rest and increase your familiarity with your future job.

You can even email your new boss and ask if there's anything you can prepare, read or start working on.

At worst, they'll tell you not to worry, but hopefully they'll send you some useful resources to get cracking with.

Applying for your first job once you graduate can be challenging. You might have a great degree but so will many other applicants. You may even be coming up against people with much more work experience in the field. With more people than ever applying for every graduate job, you need to find ways to make sure your resume stands out and makes it to the top of the pile.

What Makes You Different?

When trying to make your resume stand out, finding out what makes you stand out and what could make your resume different from all the others is a great start. Studying in a different country as a foreign student gives you a unique experience. It shows you're not afraid of a challenge and that you can easily get to know new people and fit into new situations. Studying online for an online masters in accounting is another unique learning experience. Going out of your way to study online shows you have a huge level of commitment to your chosen subject.

Clean

Keep it clean. Make sure the paper is crisp, white, and of high-quality. Prospective employers will get a first impression from their first glance at your resume. It's important.

So you did it, you got yourself an interview for that job, maybe you got more than one interview - what now? Preparing for an interview is really important. This is your chance to sell yourself and nail that job. Cast your eye over the tips below and kickstart your career.

Research

Before your interview it is crucial that you research the company that you are applying to work for. It shows a level of initiative and enthusiasm if you can talk with confidence about the company. Don't just visit the website but research news stories about the company or talk to current employees. Showing that you have taken time to find out that much about the company will ensure that you stand out amongst other applicants.

Rehearse

Whilst you can't be sure what questions your interviewer will ask there are some common questions that are generally asked at interview. It is advisable to practise your answers to these questions so that you are confident in your response. You might want to practice them aloud in front of a mirror or with a friend or relative.