How to get a first class degree!

So as I have been working hard all year to finish my degree- I am delighted to say my hard work has paid off as I have achieved a first class in all of my third year modules and therefore will be graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Marketing!

If you're just starting university or even if you are in your first or second year- here are my few top tips on how I think you can do well at university- these things are truly why I think I did well.

How to do well at university

1. Make the right friends

At first, on your course you might think it's a good idea to make friends with the people who go out partying a lot or the guy you see in your favourite club week in week out. But when it comes to it- surrounding yourself with people who also do really well and want to achieve the best results, will also encourage you to do the same. Not only can you share tips, revise together and compare answers- you can also introduce a little bit of healthy competition and encourage each other. 

In addition, these people are much more likely to attend lectures- hence you will have friends to sit with and you will be much more likely to go too!

2. Make friends with the lecturers

Sounds a bit cringey- but this literally is one of the most important tips. I was even told by a lecturer that they bend the rules for students they like and know well. Just be nice to them and they will be nice back. I even managed to convince a lecturer to help me in the evening over Easter break once, sometimes they might say they have no time to see students but if they like you- they will make time. Getting extra tips, help clarifying things and sometimes having them check your work is the thing that can really push your grades up!

3. Don't leave things until the last minute

I know its easier said than done but start your assignments as soon as you get them! In third year this is a little bit more difficult as you have so much to balance- but even planning out a schedule for when you are going to do things and setting your own deadlines helps. Sometimes I didn't factor in that I would have thousands of words to delete from the word count and ended up spending a week doing that- which ate in to the allocated time for the next assignment! Planning is fundamental and unfortunately I had to work a job at the same time which meant for me it was even more critical- however if you can start early and do a couple of hours an evening over a few months, you will be a million times less stressed.

4. Reading and research are your best friends

I have never read a journal article page-to-page. I find them ridiculously boring and hard to read- however, knowing how to skim read them will really help you write assignments. The literature review and findings chapters are all you really need to focus on. Use cited authors to find more papers and then your research will snowball. You don't have to read a whole textbook- half of it won't come up in the exam anyway- but use the index pages to find relevant topics and usually I would make a point before I found a reference- it makes you more determined to find the reference!

Read around a topic- especially for your dissertation and know the key theorists and their ideas and points, then work from there. Before you start an assignment, I would say you need to allot around 2-3 days just to reading so that you don't have to keep starting and stopping to do more research once you are in the flow of writing.

5. Find what works for you

Personally, I hated working in the library and although all my friends were always working in there, I found it distracting and I would get really bored. I knew that I could only manage 3-5 hours a day of solid work and that I needed lots of breaks (and even naps!!). However, staying at home and working meant I got lots done even and I was much more relaxed.

Don't just follow your friends and what they're doing- we all work differently.

6. Attend MOST of your lectures

I know everyone says this but seriously- I didn't miss one lecture or tutorial in second year and in third year I only missed a couple to go to job interviews/ one particular seminar which was totally pointless.... but even if you think the content or structure is a bit pointless, it will give you chance to network with the tutors and the quieter the seminar, the more they will remember you and be more likely to answer any questions you have or help you with your assignments. It will also give you chance to chat through ideas with your course mates.

I also found that a lot of tutors gave coursework help in the tutorials- tips which helped me in my coursework and that people who didn't attend couldn't benefit from. I know it's tough to get up early/ not go out the night before- but try and attend as much as you can!

7. DO internships

Luckily, with my course I was able to complete a placement year, which I truly believe was the main reason for me getting a first- it helped me grow up a lot and helped me put my degree in perspective. Even if you don't have the option to take a whole year in industry- summer internships/ part-time work can help. I even based my dissertation AND a piece of branding coursework on two internships I did, which made it a million times easier to write about as I drew on my own experiences- it also cut my research times down considerably!

8. Keep an eye on the industry

The more you read, research and take an interest in the industry- the more relevant your learning will seem and the more you can draw on in your work a.k.a extra marks... For example, whilst I was studying political marketing I would try and keep an eye on what was going on in the political world and then draw upon it in class. If you take an active interest in your chosen industry- you can apply theoretical knowledge to it far more easily.

9. Have a life outside university

Sometimes you just need to take a few hours or even a day off university work. Having an escape or two can be really beneficial. For me, luckily I had quite a demanding job which I loved, which allowed me to put effort and time into it. But a hobby, friends outside of uni or a part-time job can help to clear your head too.

10. Be motivated

At the end of the day, unless you go in to it with a burning desire, complete motivation and determination- you aren't going to achieve a first class. I found a lot of the people who had breezed through GCSEs or A-Levels with As or A*s thought they could take a step back and not try hard- just at they did at school. But you really do need to work hard to get a first- it isn't an easy ride and you need to be 100% committed!!

A First Class in an awesome achievement and one which everyone can achieve- it is much more about the mindset and hard work rather than intelligence or knowledge. I really believe I turned things around from my A-Levels which I didn't do so well in, so now a 1st from UWE really is better than a 2:2 from Bristol!!!

Steph

@stefclarkx

Camp America and Losing my virginity...

Hey and happy new year!
So summer 2012 I took part in Camp America and worked in Boston, MA for 2 months. When people ask me about the experience I'm often reluctant to talk about it or explain what really happened, this is kind of because I want to forget what happened or maybe because I'm sick of explaining it over and over again. People expect me to say I had an amazing time and how benefitial it was etc. and presume that it was. However this actually wasn't the case. I don't regret going at all but I definately wouldn't reccomend camp america to anyone else nor praise the company.
I initally decided to take part to have a great summer and had heard from so many people how many friends you make and how amazing it is to travel the states etc. However as I grew further into the scheme I realised how good it looks on your CV to have worked in a different country and the skills you gain from camp. I know can talk about all of these things in interviews and applications and for that reason I am glad I did it.
But at the time I wanted nothing more than to come home, I'm not going to go in to why but I didn't get on with one of the girls I shared with and I really missed home. However I think more than anything, Camp America as a brand aren't a company I could rely on.
Firstly, I felt they almost tricked me in to thinking it was a free experience and that I would earn enough money to travel the states after. When in truth, I paid out over £1000 in flights, admin fees, visa, insurance etc. They claim the flights are "free" but then you pay out £400 in admin fees and the flights are only £300 on the virgin atlantic website. I don't understand the dishonesty behind them saying they aren't for flights? And I feel they didn't fully explain the fees before hand as I was well into my overdraft paying for these fees, whereas if I had have known about them earlier I may have considered not taking part.
Then when you arrive at camp, all the americans are paid minimum wage for full time work which isn't a bad wage in the states. The camp were also paying this amount out for me, but I wasn't recieving it. I was actually recieving $100 a week for working full time, which works out at about 50cent an hour. Camp America took the rest of the money from me. So despite the admin fees which I had paid they also recieved over 60% of my wages. I wasn't even aware of this until I spoke to the other workers at camp. I felt so betrayed and again, why were CA being so dishonest and frankly decieptful!
When I arrived back from the states, Camp America asked me to become a brand manager and despite the fact I didn't want to represent their brand, I was interested to see some of their marketing strategies and gain some brand management experience. We were signed up to a forum and I was the representative for camp america at UWE.
However as I looked into it further, some of the tasks they asked us to compelete were so anti-competitive and unjust. They asked us to rip down competing summer camp companies posters, stand outside competitor talks and tell people about camp america and bombard students with CA's name. Now I realise why I hadn't heard of any competitors when I was applying to work at camp. I can only reccomend to people to research other summer camp companies, as Camp America charge the highest fees and the lowest salaries. I just feel that although CA were trying to make me positively represent the brand, they were giving me negative perceptions of a brand that my summer was in the hands of. The forum is just full of people slating other summer camp companies so I removed myself from the group!

Sorry about how negative that was! I just wanted everyone to know the truth about camp america! Some positivity now...
Over the christmas period I have been reading Richard Branson's book "Losing my Virginity". I don't normally read autobiographies however I think it's one of the best books I've ever read! Definately a reccomended read! I think Branson is such an inspiration and it has definately taught me some important business knowledge! I think Virgin is such an exciting brand and the risks he is prepared to take are inspiring and I'm now fascinated by Virgin! A must read if your interested in business, entrepenurism or marketing.

Finance exam next week then our big product pitch presentation next week! And can't wait to hear if the marketing societies budget request for the networking event has been approved or not! All very exciting and I am very confident that they will all go fine!
Steph

Just a quick one!

Hello,
haven't wrote in over a week! Been super busy. Back in the north west for Christmas, which I am not enjoying as usual. I find this place so uninspiring I actually hate Lancashire! Sounds so negative but in Bristol everyone is so aspirational and hardworking and then I come up north and most people so bored and unmotivated! Sort it out Lancs.... I am having a nice time with my family though although I have a lot of work to do for my product pitch presentation, HRM assignment and finance exam in January STRESSFUL

I was also supposed to be attending a peugeot citroen, avon, caterpillar, BMW & PSA assessment centre in January too which would have added to the stress however I have some brilliant news to announce to my blog followers!

I got a job at IBM!!!

I'm sooo chuffed!! Got the phone call on Friday morning and I was in bed in a hotel room in Manchester and my phone rang and I sarcastically went "This better be a job offer" AND IT WAS!! Fate or what!!

Anyway so basically at my assessment centre day in Portsmouth I met this lovely lady who is the project manager for a B2B marketing team in Portsmouth and she interviewed me for a general marketing role. However she was impressed by me so much that she wants me to join her team in Portsmouth!! So I didn't need a 2nd interview like most people! I was soo pleased and I've already met my boss which is pretty cool.
Slightly daunting moving to Portsmouth as I've only been their once for my interview and I'm going to be living there in June! I'm so excited though and so pleased because I really wanted to work for IBM out of all of the placements I applied for! Going to buy a car in June and can't wait to be on a real wage and work for the 3rd most valuable brands IN THE WORLD

New normal blog post coming soon
Just thought I would fill everyone in!
Steph

My friends, goose and smashbox!

Heyy,
ok so this week I've been really unlucky! Got through to the assessment centre for peugeot citroen after passing the 1st interview!! Which I was super pleased about, however it's on the 10th January which is my finance exam so I can't go and I've emailed them begging but they won't re-arrange, which I'm GUTTED about :'( especially as I could really see myself there and I worked so hard on my application. I guess it wasn't meant to be!
Secondly, had my BMW telephone interview which went AWFUL as I was totally unprepared as I did it at uni cos I was in the middle of my group meeting for marketing in practice preparing our presentation, anyway I think I did well on the compentency questions but then she asked me what was my favourite BMW model and I froze I couldn't even think of one :-( so not expecting good news from them! Also got another interview lined up for next week and still waiting to see if I've been matched by IBM which is horrible as I'm really impatient!!

Our presentation is getting super close now and I think my group are finally working well! I hate group work and hope this is the last time I will have to work in a group during my course...probably not though.

So, writing this blog seems to have inspired a couple of my friends to start writing a blog which is exciting!
My good friend Sam who is on my course at UWE has started a marketing blog and he is a very opinionated and hilarious person so looking forward to hearing a bit more from him, you can check his blog out at: http://samvenning.blogspot.co.uk/
Also one of my girlies Sophie has started a blog too which is a bit more creative and personal which I like so you can check her out here: http://ohyoudramaqueen.blogspot.co.uk/
Finally, I have followed this blog for quite a while and it's definately one for the girls!! Zoe does beauty and fashion reviews and news and she's getting paid for it now I think so her posts have been very influencial! http://www.zoella.co.uk/
Let me know if you want me to mention you or if you want me to have a read of your blog cos I love reading new blog material!

Ok so tonight I went to Cribbs Causeway with 2 of my friends Rach and Beth and we went to Boots because I had heard about a new cosmetics company- Smashbox doing free makeovers and giving out free giftsets! So I booked an appointment for a treat for us all and we went along and I was very impressed!! Smashbox are huge in America and they came to the UK 3 months ago, they are owned by Estee Lauder who also make MAC and Clinique so I knew it was going to be high quality and I wasn't dissapointed. They did full makeovers for all of us and we got free products to try! Was a very girly and chatty session which I loved and they also do things like makeovers and photoshoots all for free so definately worth checking out! I think it's really important as there are so many make-up counters that girls can go to that new brands have an interactive and fun experience especially as I hadn't ever heard of them before and now I know loads about them from chatting to the lady who worked there. Very impressed!

Finally, something occured to me on twitter recently that I had been noticing increasingly.
I saw this account https://twitter.com/GreyGooseWanker and lots of retweets and follows from people I know.
I know a lot of people who will save up all week just to buy a bottle of Grey Goose at the weekend, and this has become an increasing trend over the last year. Grey Goose represented status, class and luxury and people who spend all their time working wanted to represent these things at the weekend. However, now I just think it has become a bit of a chav drink and not really for special occasions. I see guys getting 3 or 4 bottles a night and thinking their suarve when they are wearing sports t-shirts or trainers. Not really a good brand associate for Bacardi who own Grey Goose as one of their more premium spirits.
Although it is a premium spirit and represents indulgence and luxury, in order for Grey Goose to maintain this image they are going to have to work hard to ensure they can keep this brand image up, especially with bad publicity such as the site above. Although sales may have soared, is it for the right reasons and can they maintain the sales by using the same marketing and brand associations as they do currently.
They are just my predictions and opinions and if you don't agree feel free to comment and let me know!

Steph

“Sometimes there's not a better way. Sometimes there's only the hard way.”

Hellooo,
So this week I have been sooo busy! Been doing my operations coursework which is so dull it's the 2nd worst module after human resource management! I don't want to be learning about anything but Marketing which is a nightmare but I know it has to be done! Also been working with my group for one of my marketing modules where we have to pitch a product through a presentation in January- Dragon's Den style! A lot of hard work but I love my group and I think we work really well together. I think it's important to surround yourself with positive people and their positivity reflects on you and in a way makes you more motivated and definately makes me work harder.

I'm sick of negative people and people that aren't prepared to work hard to get results. People ask me how I do so much and how I have other people interested in my success and how I get so many opportunities. It's literally because I never stop! There aren't any shortcuts and if you aren't motivated and driven to succeed you shouldn't be at university full stop. People who skive uni to sleep all day or get drunk or because they can't be bothered to sit in a lecture anger me, anyway I better stop before I start a rant...

I had my telephone interview for a placement this morning and the lady said she was impressed with my enthusiasm and desire to succeed and I've got through to the next round which is an assessment centre in January which I'm so happy about! Got two lined up now, I'm so glad all my work has paid off!!

So whilst I was in London last week and in Cabot Circus this week, I saw huge billboards outside Dorothy Perkins for the new Kardashian Kollection clothing line. I thought this was a really exciting move for DP as they were a bit of a frumpy, mumsy brand compared to the other Arcadia brands like Topshop & Miss Selfidge, this will definately give a new viewpoint from a younger target market.
I did see the collection when I was in Chicago over the summer and I think the Kardashian Kollection has been in the US store Sears for a number of years (Sears reminded me alot of Matalan for some reason, so maybe their approach was the same, a brand which was once a bit frumpy has been sexed up a bit).

So I decided to go and check the clothes out for myself, the clothing is supposed to include "Kim's glamorous red-carpet looks, Kourtney's more Bohemian chic vibe and Khloe's rocker style" well from what I saw the clothes were tacky, a bit slutty and looked quite frankly, cheap. The Kardashian's are known for being curvaceous and the collection definately doesn't tailor to this. The clothes are tight, revealing and short. Kate Middleton snubbed the clothes after they were sent to her! Quite a funny read http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9687431/The-Duchess-of-Cambridge-snubs-Kim-Kardashians-Kollection.html Anyone who is famous for making a sex tape can't really expect royalty to admire their clothing line... Interested to see how the collection is recieved in the UK anyway.

Very cool brand news- Tango are making shower gels!? I love tango and I think the product concept it exciting and I think it might be quite successful!! Already a large brand awareness and something a bit different from shower gels already on the market. I would lovveeee to work on the marketing for that product!

Speak sooon
Steph

London!

Helloooo,

Ok so Tuesday I went to London for my meeting with the CEO of newfox media. I love driving through Brentford past all the huge offices, I REALLY want to work there one day!
Tuesday night I went to see Wicked because my friend Hiten got me and him some free tickets, I've always wanted to see it and it was so great! Made the trip down to London so worth it! We also went to a pub for drinks and there was so many business men and women I was dying to do some networking haha!
So Wednesday morning I got up nice and early and got the tube to Shoreditch to google head office! It was crazy inside it looked a lot like ikea! Lots of kitch furniture and everyone was dressed very casual and everyone was a bit "individual" if thats how you want to put it. I don't think I would like to work there as I'm attracted to the suited and booted, very professional edge of working life and google head office wasn't like that at all. It's all personal preference though!
So I had my meeting with newfox media and got my role for my internship explained and I'm really excited about launching their new app and I'm responsible for a lot of the marketing for it which is so cool! I have a lot of responsibilities with them and I'm really hoping the experience will benefit me in years to come!
The CEO also said he is going to invite me to any networking events he's going to and put me into contact with some of his clients. Very exciting stuff I will keep you posted!
Then yesterday, I went in to my lecture and got my assignment brief for my marketing communications module (my favourite module at UWE) and the coursework task is to launch and market a new app!!!! ITS FATE! So I'm actually doing the same thing in the real world and at uni, double the experience!!
Doing my placement applications and lots of uni work this week! Very very busy! Managed to sneak a night out in and a bit of shopping in London! I am addicted to selfridges I literally spent about 3 hours in there after my meeting!
Next week I have a telephone interview for a placement at a very well known construction company which I am very nervous for and am going to have to prepare for next week!
So busy, but very excited about things coming up! Keep you posted,
Stef