Is it too late if I am already in third or fourth year?

No. Every action you take now puts you ahead of where you were yesterday. Start building a portfolio, apply for internships, and attend events. The gap is smaller than you think, especially in tech where skills matter more than time served.

What is the most common regret fourth-years have?

Not starting skill-building earlier. Grades, money, and social life are mentioned, but the skill gap is the one that causes the most anxiety at graduation. Students who waited until final year to learn practical skills wish they had started in first year.

Do grades or skills matter more for getting a job?

Both matter in different contexts. Large companies and government jobs filter by grades first. Startups and tech companies prioritise skills and portfolio. The safest strategy is to maintain decent grades while building real skills on the side.

How do I balance everything in first year?

You do not balance everything. You prioritise. Academics first (enough to maintain good grades), one extracurricular activity, and one skill-building habit. That is enough for first year. Adding more comes naturally as you figure out your rhythm.

What fourth-years wish they knew in first year | Campus

What fourth-years wish they knew in first year

Start building skills from first year, not fourth year. Your GPA matters less than most people say, but it still opens doors, so do not trash it. Build relationships with classmates and lecturers. Save some of your HELB money. Start freelancing or doing internships before third year. Ask for help early, not after you are already failing.

Start building skills from year one

The biggest regret most fourth-years have: waiting until final year to think about employability. By then, there is one year left, a final project to write, and everyone is suddenly scrambling for the same internships.

Students who start learning practical skills in first year, even small steps like learning to code alongside their degree, arrive at fourth year with a portfolio, work experience, and confidence that no crash course can replicate.

You do not need to have everything figured out. You need to start doing something: a side project, a freelance gig, a personal website, or a coding challenge. First year is the lowest-pressure time you will have. Use it.

The truth about grades

Grades are not everything, but they are not nothing. A First Class or Upper Second opens doors to graduate programmes, scholarships, and employers who filter by GPA. A Pass degree closes some of those doors.

The mistake is treating grades as either all that matters or completely irrelevant. The practical approach: aim for an Upper Second as a minimum. Understand how your GPA is calculated and make strategic decisions about where to put your effort.

Your CATs are the easy marks. Do them well and the exam pressure drops. Students who skip CATs and bet everything on the final exam are gambling with their GPA.

If you have already had a bad semester, it is recoverable. The reset guide walks you through it. The earlier you correct course, the less damage to your cumulative GPA.

Relationships matter more than you think

Your classmates are your future colleagues, co-founders, and references. The person sitting next to you in a lecture hall may hire you in five years or recommend you for a job. Treat people well.

Lecturers are not just grade-givers. Some have industry connections, research opportunities, and the ability to write recommendation letters that open doors. Visit during office hours. Ask questions. Be known for something other than your student number.

Join at least one club or community. The friends you make through shared activities (tech clubs, debate, sports, faith communities) are often stronger than lecture-hall acquaintances. Making friends in first year sets the foundation.

What fourth-years say about money

HELB money feels like a windfall in first year. Many students spend it in the first month, then struggle for the rest of the semester. Fourth-years wish they had budgeted.

Practical advice from students who learned the hard way:

Pay your fees first. Always. Before you buy anything else.
Set aside a fixed weekly amount for food and transport. When it runs out, cook or walk.
Start a small income stream. Making money as a university student does not require a big investment. Freelancing, tutoring, or campus businesses all work.
Avoid lifestyle debt. Borrowing from friends to fund a lifestyle you cannot afford creates stress and damages relationships.

Career preparation starts in second year

By fourth year, the students with internship experience, a portfolio, and a professional network are calm. The rest are panicking.

Second year is the ideal time to start career preparation:

Build your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Apply for internships during the long holiday. You can start even in first year.
Attend industry events and meetups. The events guide shows you where to start.
Ask for help from career services, lecturers, and alumni. Most are willing if you ask.

The students who graduate and walk into jobs are not lucky. They started early.

What to do this week

Pick one practical skill (coding, design, writing) and start learning it this semester, even for thirty minutes a day.
Review your CAT scores so far and identify the units where you need to improve before exams.
Join one club or community on campus this week.
Create a simple monthly budget for your HELB or allowance and follow it for one month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late if I am already in third or fourth year?: No. Every action you take now puts you ahead of where you were yesterday. Start building a portfolio, apply for internships, and attend events. The gap is smaller than you think, especially in tech where skills matter more than time served.
What is the most common regret fourth-years have?: Not starting skill-building earlier. Grades, money, and social life are mentioned, but the skill gap is the one that causes the most anxiety at graduation. Students who waited until final year to learn practical skills wish they had started in first year.
Do grades or skills matter more for getting a job?: Both matter in different contexts. Large companies and government jobs filter by grades first. Startups and tech companies prioritise skills and portfolio. The safest strategy is to maintain decent grades while building real skills on the side.
How do I balance everything in first year?: You do not balance everything. You prioritise. Academics first (enough to maintain good grades), one extracurricular activity, and one skill-building habit. That is enough for first year. Adding more comes naturally as you figure out your rhythm.