If you’re starting university later this year, Freshers’ Week will be one of the most exciting (and daunting) times of your uni experience – maybe even your life!

This might be your first time living away from home in a new town or city, and you may not know anyone else you’re living with - all of which can feel scary but it’s also a huge opportunity.

The key thing to remember is that everyone is in the same position as you, so usual social norms don’t necessarily apply. It’s not going to be weird if you say hi to people you don’t know, knock on random people’s doors and invite them for drinks in your kitchen. It’s Freshers’ Week! This will never happen again!

Keeping this in mind, here’s a handy bucket list of the things you should do (or at least, be prepared to do) in your first seven days at uni.

Get freshers’ flu

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Look, let’s get this out of the way early on. It’s going to happen. You might as well embrace it.

Arrange and rearrange your new bedroom

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Spend way too long wondering which posters to put on the walls and which books to put spine-out on the shelf to send the right message to visitors about Who You Are.

Meet as many people as you can and get all their numbers

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At the end of the year, look back through your phone and wonder who on earth ‘Karim Uni’ and ‘Lizzie Freshers’ are.

Attend the freshers’ fair and accept every flyer that comes your way

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Now is the time to try new things. Grab everything you can and sift through the pile later. Keep your options open. Plus, there are usually loads of discounts and freebies to be had if you take the time to read through them.

Put your name on every society sign-up sheet you can get your hands on

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Ditto above. You can always unsubscribe from the emails later. If you really don’t want to put your email address down, you could always use the email address of one of your new mates - but be warned, they might not stay your mate for long after being bombarded with Lord of the Rings Society emails.

Actually join at least one of the clubs or societies you put your name down for

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Be open-minded. Viking Society? Knitting Club? Ultimate Frisbee? The world is your oyster. You never know who you’ll meet or what talent you’ll uncover.

Spend all day designing and making an outrageously good fancy dress outfit

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...only to spend the night in the Student Union and have it completely ruined by spilled drinks and people stealing your hat/tail/sunglasses.

Attempt to make a budget

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After checking your bank account on the morning after your first night out, it’s probably wise to sit down with an Excel spreadsheet and plan your future spending. You might not get it exactly right the first time, but budgeting is a fine art that cannot be rushed. You’ll get there.

Recover from Freshers’ flu

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It feels like it will last forever, but trust me - it won’t. Three days, max.

Find your way around campus in preparation for the start of term

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Figure out where most of your lectures will be and where the library is. Scout out a good lunch spot and look for shortcuts. Even more importantly, find a coffee shop.

Ruin a relationship with a flatmate

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By coming home late and loud or by not doing your washing up. (Obviously I’m not advising this – but be prepared for it to happen, whether you’re the ruiner of the relationship or the ruinee).

Subsequently sort your life out and decide you’re not going to be ‘that person’

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Spend a day washing all your plates and doing all your laundry. Your flat probably already has a loud-mouth and slob. Don’t let that be you.

Repair relationship with flatmate

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Pizza and a film, anyone?

Keep relationship repaired by not saying anything about their passive aggressive notes left on food and lines drawn on milk cartons

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SARAH’S BREAD. Is your name Sarah? No? THEN DON’T TOUCH!!!!!!

Spend a night in with a hot water bottle, packet of biscuits and a book or film

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Partying every night isn’t for everyone. You should never feel guilty about taking some time to yourself - to be honest, even if you are a party person, it’s good to get some sleep every once in a while.

Call your family and friends from home to see how they’re doing

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You might miss them a bit (or a lot) these first few weeks or months. Talk to them and get them to come and visit you if that’s an option. Talk to those around you as well – it’s very likely they’re feeling the same way.

Go to your first ever 9am lecture very hungover/still drunk. Or miss it completely

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Vow never to do it again.

Do it again

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I’m joking. Please go to your lectures.

If you’re already an economics student, or are about to start an economics course at university, you probably don’t want to sit through more drab, dull economics textbooks. ‘Why isn’t there a fun way to learn this stuff?’ you think. Fear not! We have selected seven of the most entertaining books out there (which just so happen to be about economics…) Read on, and before you know it, you’ll have tons of interesting economics knowledge, without even realizing you’ve learnt it.

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

Freakonomics has often been described as one of the most popular economics books of all time – and there is a reason for this! If you’ve ever wondered why drug dealers tend to live with their mothers, what real estate agents and the KKK have in common, and which is more dangerous: a gun or a swimming pool, then this is the book for you. Freakonomics answers the questions that no one thought to ask – because they were just too absurd! The first of its kind, this novel manages to both amuse you, and make you start seeing the world from an economics perspective – perfect for an economics student!

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky

Written by Nobel Prize winner, Daniel Kahneman, and mathematical psychologist, Amos Tversky, this is an incredibly insightful book, which challenges the classical economic assumption that people always act rationally. For example, this book explains why it is that we are more likely to believe something written in bold type, and why we are more likely to believe that attractive people are more competent. It’s a novel that helps us understand both the decisions we make ourselves, as well as the decisions made by those around us. Not only does reading this help you make better decisions, but it gives an excellent insight into behavioral economics, which will definitely help you on your economics course at some point.

The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford

This book has to be one of my personal favorites on this list. Mainly because it opens by explaining why the Starbucks in a London train station charges so much for coffee, and continues to talk through similar real life, relatable scenarios.  This is a book which shows you that economics plays a massive part in every section of your life, and how knowing about the economics behind these everyday things can help you understand the world slightly better.

23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang

This book takes the biggest myths in society today and turns them upside down and inside out. For example, it explains why the washing machine has changed lives more than the internet. Chang explains at the start of the novel that despite the name, the book is by no means anti-capitalist and aims not to take sides but to explain the realities, although he does say “despite its problems and limitations, I believe that capitalism is still the best economic system that humanity has invented.” This one will have you questioning everything you know.

Animal Spirits by Akerlof and Shiller

Animal Spirits makes for slightly heavier reading than some of the books on this list, but it’s also one of the most important ones. The book discusses the role played by emotions in economic decision making, which is really interesting, and at the same time gives an excellent overview of basic Keynesian ideas, which is extremely useful if you’re either going into an economics degree course, or currently studying one. Also, this book is loved by lecturers, so you’ll get major brownie points by saying you’ve read it.

The Armchair Economist by Steven E. Landsburg

The Armchair Economist is a lot like Freakanomics and The Undercover Economist in the way it explains the economics of everyday life, in an amusing and relatable way. The author recognizes this in the intro and explains “Freakonomics is out to dazzle you with facts; The Armchair Economist is out to dazzle you with logic.” You should read The Armchair Economist if you want answers to questions such as ‘Why is it that the safer a car gets, the more crashes the driver has?’ and ‘How much would the average person risk their life for a Starbucks mocha frappachino?’ Don’t act like you don’t want to know!

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nissim Nocholas Taleb

This one was on my suggested reading list for my economics course, and although it can be quite dense in parts, the general idea is really cool! The central idea in the book is that even if an event is extremely improbable, such as a black swan existing when no one had ever seen one, it doesn’t mean the event is impossible (as black swans do exist). The book goes on to explain how a significant unexpected event can have massive consequences. This one is also liked by economic lecturers, just in case you were wondering, and is a good one to bring up in class.

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Hopefully there will have been something on that list that takes your fancy. Each of the books on the list will give you a good insight into at least one economic theory, and you will be able to reference them in essays etc. whilst at uni, so they are definitely worth a read.

Happy reading!

Image credit: goodreads.com

That old saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ is still very relevant today (although, obviously, it does also matter what you know). Throughout time, networking has, and most likely always will be, an extremely important way of finding and enhancing your career – and hey, it’s always nice to have a few extra friends as well.

Networking is a great way to gain valuable advice, find out about new opportunities that you otherwise may not have known about, and above all find out more about careers that interest you.  However, the way we network has changed a lot over the past decade, with social media and the internet becoming such a prominent part of our everyday lives.

University is a great time to start building a strong network of individuals that can help you with your future career path. Read on to find out some great ways to network that you may not have thought about before, which will also help boost student employability.

1. Get to know your lecturers a bit better

Although this might not feel like a very typical way to network, and honestly you’d rather just go home after lectures, taking the time to talk more to your lecturers might help you more than you’d think. Lecturers are pretty much pools of human knowledge, and it would be silly to not pick their brain while you have the chance.

Not only will they be able to give you extra tips on how to ace your module, but they may be able to give you some valuable advice on careers and ways to boost student employability. You may even be able to put them down as a reference when applying for jobs in the future, so lecturers are good people to have on your side.

2. Use social media (but not for scrolling through your ex’s pictures)

Social media can be an excellent way to procrastinate. It can also be a great way to reach out and connect with people you don’t know very well. Sites like LinkedIn are good for expanding your network, so it’s important to keep your page updated and be active on it (by liking and commenting on other people’s posts etc.)

LinkedIn is a great addition to modern networking, as it gives you access to an abundance of online CVs, from people who have just started out, to CEOs of major companies. This is a great way to see the steps that professional individuals have taken to get where they are now. You also have the opportunity to direct message people individually – so take advantage of this! The worst thing that can coming from sending someone a polite message asking for advice is that they won’t reply, but if they do, you may end up finding a brilliant opportunity.

LinkedIn also has a Career Advice tool, where you can ask questions and professionals in that field will answer you directly, and give you advice. You should also use LinkedIn to follow companies that interest you, as this will keep you updated with firstly, what the company is doing and secondly, any jobs that become available.

Facebook and Twitter can also be useful ways to network. Your university and school may have an alumni group, which is an excellent way to make contacts. Alumni will often post about job positions available, and if you feel like you’d be good for the role, you can reach out to the poster to ask for more details. Contrastingly if an alumnus is in an industry you would like to work in, you can always reach out to them and ask questions – nine times out of 10, they would be happy to talk to you!

3. Attend networking events

Companies such as Eventbrite provide details of business networking events near you in the industry of your choice. Companies will also have their own individual networking events, which they will most likely advertise on their social media pages, so make sure you follow them to stay up to date on when are where these are.

Before going to a company networking event be sure to know what you want to get out of it, what questions you want to ask, and be sure to take notes of the names of the people you talk to. Drop people an email afterwards saying you enjoyed meeting them and that you hope they stay in touch.

4. Reach out to your existing network

Reaching out to your existing network can be a great way of building networking into your everyday routine. Get to know the people around you – you never know when they might be able to help you out in the future.

Get involved on campus, whether it’s through a part time job, a society or volunteering. This is a great way to meet new people, as well as getting an extra something to put on your CV. After all, even Oprah started out as a grocery shop clerk!

5. Use your university’s careers center

Your university’s careers center is there to help improve student employability, so make sure you use this to your advantage. They will help you improve your CV and explore different ways to help you improve your job prospects, such as helping you get internships and telling you about upcoming job fairs. They may even be able to put you in contact with university alumni who you can talk to about the role you want to get into.

Some universities will have large companies hosting network events inside your university, and your university careers center will be able to inform you of these events, as well as any other careers events that are havening around the university. Definitely worth a visit!

Other networking tips:

• Don’t be afraid to make the first move - the phrase ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’ is very true, as it’s very rare that an opportunity just presents itself out of nowhere; you have to make things happen.
• Remember people’s names – remembering someone’s name when you’ve only spoken to them once before will show that you’ve really been listening to them.
• Make sure your social media is up to date and professional – Keep it professional for all those contacts you’re going to add!
• Make sure you follow up with a thank you email – it shows a level of professionalism but also people are more likely to remember you.

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Regardless of which industry or sector you want to work in, when you’re a manager there are a wide range of essential skills that you’re going to rely upon regularly. From being able to analyze data or understand operating software, to assessing budgets or managing projects and teams, the responsibilities can seem endless.

If you want to get your foot on the management career ladder, you might want to consider reading on to find out which soft skills you’re going to need to shine.

Leadership skills

Good managers lead, they don’t boss. Managers should be passionate and positive, define goals and targets clearly, while ensuring team spirit and motivation is high.

In 2018, the Chartered Management Institute published a report saying that 70 percent of employers believe that all students should study modules specializing in management, entrepreneurship and leadership. 

Fortunately, degree programs such as the Master in Management at IE Business School are designed specifically to equip students with all the skills necessary to help them get their foot on the management career ladder.

Ranked sixth in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2019: Management, the Master in Management program at IE equips students with the necessary foundations of management, business, finance and marketing, while fostering essential workplace skills including leadership, communication and forward-planning skills.

Communication skills

Communication skills are considered the most vital skill in any job role. As a manager, they are particularly vital though as you are the main line of contact between senior management and entry-level employees. It’s your job to ensure communication flow up, down and across the organization is transparent and honest.

Being able to relay issues between colleagues and employees is an integral part of being a manager. You should therefore be comfortable communicating with those higher and lower than you, whether it’s face-to-face in a presentation, or via email or telephone call. Well-established communication channels are critical when it comes to positive collaborations between teams, as well as ensuring no information is lost or misplaced.

Which leads us nicely on to the next top skill…

Interpersonal skills

It goes without saying that if you’re unable to establish positive professional relationships, you’re going to struggle in a managerial role. Your ability to empathize with, listen to, understand, and connect with your fellow colleagues and employees is critical as you work as a team to meet deadlines and targets.

Having a good sense of emotional intelligence is also key. This can help you understand others’ behaviors, attitudes and feelings, which in turn can help you to understand how best to approach a situation and adjust plans accordingly.

By contrast, you should also be open to feedback and other points of view, remaining diplomatic and respectful at all times.

Commercial awareness

It’s crucial you have a thorough understanding of the marketplace, as well as the industry/sector you work in. Whether it’s healthcare, media and entertainment, or finance and banking, you’re going to need to have the required business expertise to help your organization be a success.

Students who study the Master in Management at IE Business School can take part in the insight-2-innovation Consulting Lab, collaborating with industry professionals to come up with innovative, customer-centric solutions.

An awareness of what’s happening in the world of politics and economics is also necessary, as these factors can also have a significant impact on the organization’s performance. Knowing who your competitors are, and how they operate, is also imperative.

Creative problem-solving and effective decision-making skills

Being on the ball and able to respond quickly to problems in the workplace, no matter how big or small, is crucial. Should a crisis situation arise, it’s the manager’s job to be resilient, agile and adaptable as they look to resolve the problem promptly and efficiently.

Organization skills

As a manager, you work hard to ensure all areas of the organization are run like a well-oiled machine. Good managers excel at juggling multiple responsibilities on a daily basis, such as implementing guides, organizing resources, outlining plans and scheduling meetings, all with the aim of driving delivery and meeting targets.

By prioritizing workloads and knowing how to manage your time effectively, you will ensure deadlines are met. This is also where your delegation skills come into play as you share the workload and responsibilities between your team, which allows others the opportunity to improve their own skills and knowledge.

Negotiation skills

Negotiating in a managerial role is inevitable and is something you will probably end up doing on a daily basis, no matter how big or small the deal may be. It is absolutely possible to learn to negotiate, but it does take a lot of practice, so best get started now!

Forward planning skills

It’s all well and good being concerned with what’s happening in your workplace today, but managers always need to be looking at the bigger picture. As you review the organization’s current policies and plans, you will need to contemplate what plans are necessary in order to achieve its long-term vision and goals.

As you do this, make sure to keep in mind what is actually achievable. The last thing you want is to not be able to deliver what you’ve promised.

The results of the Natwest Student Living Index 2019 have been released, based on a survey of 3,604 students at UK universities, and demonstrate that almost half (45 percent) are feeling stressed by their course. The survey also found that only 41 percent of students on average are enjoying their degree, with the highest levels of enjoyment found at Aberystwyth University, where 58 percent of students said they’re enjoying themselves. (Arguably, they could be enjoying themselves a little too much, as Aberystwyth students spend the most on alcohol in the UK).

Low stress levels at the University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews was the best out of the surveyed UK universities for stress levels, with only 22 percent of students reporting feeling stressed. St Andrews was also in the top five when looking at the percentage of students enjoying their university course, at 47 percent.

This is despite the fact that St Andrews students spend one the largest amounts of hours per month on studying in the country, only behind Oxford and Cambridge students. This year’s survey had found that students on average are spending nine hours more a month studying compared to 2018, and two hours less on socializing, but it seems that students at St Andrews have largely found the right balance between studies and socializing.

The excellent availability of mental health services also likely plays a part in the low stress levels at St Andrews, with students there the most satisfied with these services out of any other UK university at 47 percent – far higher than the national average.

Stress levels were similarly low at fellow Scottish universities Stirling and Aberdeen at 30 and 33 percent respectively, while in a stark contrast, 60 percent of students at the University of Cambridge reported feeling stressed (the highest in the UK), with similarly high rates of stress at fellow prestigious UK universities Oxford and Durham, demonstrating that students at these institutions may be feeling a great deal of pressure to maintain high grades as well as balancing a social life.

Students dissatisfied with mental health services overall

With so many students feeling stressed and overwhelmed during university, it’s all the more important for UK universities to provide accessible and reliable mental health support services for students all year round. However, only 23 percent of UK students are satisfied with the mental health resources available at their university.

The stats were particularly discouraging at the University of Bristol, with just 14 percent of students satisfied with the services available. And in the wake of a stream of devastating student suicides at Bristol over recent years, it is more imperative than ever for students to be given access to the help they need when the stress of their studies and other personal issues becomes too much.

At Bristol, it seems the issue is actually a matter of the quantity rather than quality of mental health services available, with services becoming particularly stretched during Fresher’s Week and exam periods. In December 2018, in response to students’ campaigns for better services, the University of Bristol launched a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The strategy was implemented based on contributions from staff and students, with Bristol’s Student Union encouraging students to get involved in shaping the services that directly affect them – so if you’re feeling frustrated with the mental health services available at your university, it’s important to speak up and get your voice heard to affect change.

Brunch is slowly becoming the UK’s favorite meal, with many opting for a mid-morning meal on a Sunday instead of the traditional roast dinner.

If you’re living and studying in London, you might worry that brunch will forever be outside of your student budget but that doesn’t have to be the case.

In fact, we know exactly where you can indulge in a delicious brunch and only have to spend the change in your back pocket. Here are some of our favorite brunches in London for under £10.

Club Burrito at The Breakfast Club

Customers have been lining the streets of London to get a taste of The Breakfast Club’s hearty dishes since it first opened its Soho doors in 2005.

Since this time, they’ve expanded exponentially into almost every corner of London, serving hungry diners in Angel, Canary Wharf, Spitalfields, Hoxton and Hackney Wick, just to name a few.

True to its name, the menu’s emphasis is on breakfast. You’ll find some of the tallest pancake stacks and widest ‘All-American’ breakfasts available this side of the Atlantic here.

Several options will cost you less than a tenner, but if you’re after the best bang for your buck, try the breakfast burrito. Stuffed to the brim with perfectly spiced eggs, refried beans and mountains of cheese, this is the hangover cure you’ve been waiting for.

Bacon naan at Dishoom

Britain’s love affair with Indian food has been blossoming for well over 200 years, so it is no surprise Dishoom has become a popular spot for a delicious, and good value brunch.

Since its inception in 2010, hungry customers have been queuing up to try a bacon naan and a cup of delicately spiced chai. In fact, it’s the success of the bacon naan that put Dishoom on London’s culinary map in the first place.

Filled with Ginger Pig’s smoked bacon, the creamiest of cream cheeses and a tangy chilli jam, it is no surprise this dish has people queuing for tables at 8am. Priced at under a tenner with unlimited chai refills during the week, this truly is a bargain brunch.

Roti canai at Roti King

Although a popular breakfast dish in south-east Asia, roti canai is yet to reach fame in London, so there are relatively few eateries that serve this traditional breakfast. Fortunately, the ones that do serve it with uncompromising authenticity.

For those that haven’t heard of roti canai, it’s essentially a flaky, buttery pancake, cooked on a hot plate and served with dal (chickpea curry) or another curry of your choice.

The folks at Roti King have been cooking this delicacy for years and offer some of the best curry pairings for your roti. At just £5 for the pair, you’ll definitely be asking for extra roti bread to wipe that curry dish clean.

Shakshuka at Honey & Co

Beginning their careers under the guidance of well-known chef Yotam Ottolenghi, the couple behind Honey & Co have been perfecting their brunch dishes for years.

During the week, customers can grab their signature shakshuka (eggs baked in a spicy tomato sauce), with a milk bun on the side for dipping, for less than a tenner.

If you have a few more pounds to spare at the weekend, opt for the Israeli-style mezze platter. Choose your type of eggs – green shakshuka or aubergine-baked – and watch as a myriad of plates appear on your table ranging from almond puff cereal to freshly-made, tahini-fueled hummus.

Brunch pizza at Mare Street Market

Grabbing a cheap brunch in the hipster suburb of Hackney can be difficult. However, if you can muscle your way through the crowds of beards and tattoos and find yourself a seat in Mare Street Market then you’re halfway there.

For a popular east London haunt, the menu is quite reasonably priced here, with the majority of the dishes hovering around the £10 mark.

If you’re looking for the best deal, the brunch pizza is filling, delicious and costs just £7.50, leaving a bit of room for a swan-adorned latte on the side.

Topped with smoked bacon, egg, mushroom and confit tomato, and baked in an alfresco pizza oven, this is one of the most alternative full English breakfast’s you will find in the capital.

Maple bacon pancakes at Balan’s Soho Society Café

Offering customers a selection of brunch dishes every single day of the week, Balan’s Soho Society Café is a great option for those unexpected mid-week hangovers.

Balan’s range of eggs benedict dishes come highly recommended and are also modestly priced at under £10. However, the star of the menu is definitely the maple bacon pancakes. This tower of perfectly fluffy pancakes, streaks of crispy bacon and lashings of maple syrup for just £9 is a truly indulgent steal.

Sweet Maria at Milk

The recently renovated Milk in Balham has made a comeback with even more tables and a new, improved, inexpensive menu.

Offering classical dishes with an interesting twist, expect English crumpets with creamy goat’s curd, truffle-soaked hash browns and helpings of brown-butter hollandaise over your eggs.

However, a crowd-pleasing dish that has remained on their menu since the beginning is the Sweet Maria (which also happens to be the phrase you will utter when you take your first bite).

A vegetarian affair, this dish comprises of sweetcorn fritters, golden halloumi, limey avocado and a spicy tomato sauce.

Just make sure to head down to the café about an hour before you plan on getting hungry, as there is guaranteed to be a queue outside.