This document discusses 5 pieces of dreadful student advice that should be avoided: 1. Dismissing the importance of the first year and not putting in effort, as grades do count in later years and good performance helps with preparation. 2. Signing up for every extracurricular without limit, as it is better to commit fully to a few activities for better experiences and resume quality over many shallow commitments. 3. Only focusing on getting top grades without other experiences, as excellent extracurricular achievements can make up for a small grade difference and success is not guaranteed by grades alone. 4. Blindly following very specific advice like "never do this" or "always do that", as diversity

1. 5 Dreadful Pieces of Student Advice
(and why you need to stop following them)
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2. How can advice be dreadful?
Not all advice is equal
Even the best intentions don’t make for the best
suggestions
But don’t worry!
You can recognize a dreadful advice and choose
NOT to follow it 

3. What’s the worst piece of
advice you’ve been given at
university?

4. Here are 5 Dreadful pieces of
Advice you SHOULDN’T follow!
Be careful! ;)

5. 1. “1st Year Doesn’t Count“
You may think:
There’s no difference between getting 40% and 70%
or higher
You just need to pass and spend most of your time
enjoying everything else.
Bad move!

6. Why is that BAD?
Dismissing the importance of your 1st
year is one of the most misguided and dangerous
pieces of advice around.
Still wondering WHY?
Putting in the effort helps you to progress.
Without it, you won’t be so prepared for the next year,
when your marks do count.

7. 2. “Sign Up for Everything”
It may be extremely tempting to do ALL THE THINGS
BUT …
… signing up to every society, every cause, and every
extra-curricular activity you can
WON’T help your CV (neither your schedule)

8. What can you do?
Commit to just a few things
Throw all your enthusiasm and interest into them
Make it count
Aim to gather great stories to tell and a sense of
achievement.
WHY?
• You will have better experiences
• You will definitely look better on paper

9. Still not convinced ‘Why’?
Hint:
Nobody cares that you were in seventeen different clubs
They care that you did amazing things in
one or two of them
Tip:
Find at least one society or group
that you think will push you in a new direction

10. 3. “Only Concentrate on the Study” / “Push Toward a First”
Some students sign up for nothing:
• their degree journey is all about the magical
First Class Honours.
However, this may not be as beneficial as one may think …
… firsts are on the up BUT a top grade
is NO guarantee of either success or fame or wealth!

11. Is it good to aim for a top mark or … ?
Yes, getting the top mark is fantastic
You shouldn’t aim lower for no reason
BUT …
… neither should you ignore everything else around you
in your pursuit of that grade
Tip:
Do your sensible best, not your perfectionist best

12. Still a bit blurred?
It is not about ignoring your study,
but rather improving skills and achievements.
Hint:
When you accomplish outstanding achievements,
the difference between a top mark and a good mark
is not so important.
The new achievements should more than make up for it ;)

13. 4. Anything Too Specific –“Never do this… / “Always do that...”
The diversity of universities ensures that:
• there are loads of things you can do
&
• loads you will never manage to do
… even in the 3 or so years you’re there.
HOWEVER
Be cautious of anyone advising you of a dead cert.

14. What is wrong with a dead cert?
A dead cert = JUST an opinion
The advice may prove right for you in the end
BUT …
… blindly following risks stepping into disaster.
Tip:
Next time someone says you HAVE to do it,
first consider it for yourself and only if you’re happy with it,
do it on your own terms and for your own reasons ;)

15. 5. “Don’t Panic…Degrees Are Getting Easier.”
The ‘Don’t Panic’ bit is fine
but
the reason not to panic does not sit right.
WHY?
You may be tempted to try getting away with the smallest
amount of work possible.
This tactic does not save time in the long …
… but it does more harm than good.

16. What can you do?
Yes, try not to panic!
But No, don’t expect your degree to be easy …
… if you do, the reality will likely emerge
at precisely the wrong time.
Tip:
Explore ways to make your effort effortless
and your challenges enjoyable ;)
You’ll be better placed to find an enjoyable flow in your work
Your degree will feel easier, but by no means will it be easy!

17. Heard enough? Next time someone
gives you a piece of advice …
before following it, make sure it’s
not a dreadful one ;)