The end of semester is upon us and we can all feel it in our bones as all of these assignments are reaching deadline, including this campaign. With that said, here it goes, one of the last posts to remind you that you shouldn't stress to impress others - especially when it comes to your post graduation plans.

First of all, don't panic if you don't know what you want to do once you graduate, because you're still young. You're only 21, so don't rush yourself into accepting the first 9 to 5 job that you're offered - travel, work casual or part time, enjoy your freedom. If you're unsure about what you want to do, or if you have a few doubts, it's silly to tie yourself down into a full time job.

What's important, is that you keep your mind active. If you do decide to take things easy after uni, it's important to engage your mind with creative or strategic pursuits. So, take up new hobbies or activities that will not only challenge you but motivate you throughout the year.

Secondly, stop comparing yourself to other people. Okay, I'm guilty of doing it, and so is everyone. But it's important not to get so caught up in what your friends are doing - we're all different and everyone's time will come. You're your own person, so it's important to find out who you are, because if not you won't know what you want to be.

So travel. As seen in our previous blog post, you'll learn so much more about yourself than any full time job that you never really wanted (except for the fact that you hate doing what you're doing). One of the most important lessons you could learn from this, is to have guts. Because if you didn't, you may not be as confident when it comes to accepting that your dream career isn't what you planned it out to be.

Finally, don't stress if you don't know what you want to do, because you're not alone. What you need to understand is that you should take it easy on yourself! Every student and graduate is scared; entering the real world is something they never taught us at uni, especially how to survive the presses that will be placed on us. But, together, it's important to remember, that you're not deciding what to do with the rest of your life, but choosing what's the best next step for you.



So, for the final time, don't stress to impress guys!

N.

Running into your classmates from high school on campus

When you sleep in for your 10am tutorial

Going to clubs/bars/events that involve drinking.

Getting dressed

Group work:

Been trying to land a job recently but you haven't been so successful? Don't worry, you're time will come, and perhaps they were signs that it wasn't the right fit for you in the first place. Interviews are seen as both a good and a bad thing: good in the sense that you're nearly there, bad in the sense that you haven't got a clue what to expect. But, here are some handy hints that will hopefully land you that confirmation call you've been waiting for!

Research.
We're pretty sure this is a given, but I've recently asked my employers at my agency what their biggest pet peeves are with interviews, and it's that candidates don't know enough about the brand, and it's obvious. For instance, apparently one interviewee came in and when asked about why they want to work with the agency, they answered with clients who they don't work for. Awkward. Therefore, when applying for creative industries, make note of their clients, their recent projects and their strategies.

Dress Appropriately.
Remember, as much as we hate to admit it, it only takes seven seconds for someone to make an impression, and in those seven seconds, we barely have time to open our mouths and say "Hi, it's nice to meet you". With that said, don't rock up looking like you're either going to Westfield or Pacha. Stay tuned for our next post to see some ideas of what to wear!


Show Off Your Communication Skills.
We're pretty sure it's in your resume, and your interviewer is looking at it right now: 'Strong Communication Skills'. During your interview, it's important to make a positive connection with the interviewer, so perfect that 'good handshake', maintain your eye contact, don't be afraid to smile, perhaps tell a joke and exude confidence - all of this works towards engaging the person you're speaking with, and they'll love you for it.

Talk Enough.
There's actually a balance that you need to make when in an interview, and that's knowing how to talk 'enough' (you don't want to talk too much or too little). So, with that being said that doesn't mean you give them two worded answers or a short story about your life. Make sure you're responsive with the questions your given and ensure that you've fully answered what has been asked. Don't rush into answering, it's okay to take a few seconds to think about it. Don't word vomit!

Ask Questions.
You know that part at the end of an interview when they're like "Do you have any questions?" yeah, I always found that bit a little bit awkward. Back in my earlier days of first applying for practically everything, I always replied with "no" which I always hated because it made me sound like I wasn't really interested in the company. So, some safe questions to ask include:

• What do you like about working here?
• What are the prospects for growth and advancements?
• How would you describe the responsibilities of the position?
• What's the office structure? Who does this position report to?

Travelling is really the food for the soul, and whilst I may not be as 'well travelled' as most people, I've sourced the Internet and found four of the most challenging and rewarding places to travel to on your own.

Say what? You heard us! Week 12 only means two things: end of semester is nearly on its way! And, exams and assignments cockblock that exist. Here are some fun suggestion that are proven to work and help ease the stress you might face not only during the last sem, but throughout life. #deep #meaningful

Throw some punches.
With that being said that by no means that you should resort to physical violence. Grab a pillow, a punching bag or even take up boxing at the gym - taking out all of your pent up stress is exactly what you need and physical aggression is an easy way to do it.



Take a Nap
So, while naps might not accomplish much in terms of productivity, sometimes what you need is to feel refreshed after a long hard day. When you wake up from a nap, you feel recharged and motivated to finish that assignment (you may say 'shit, why did I take that nap? - but you still won't regret it). It's important to keep it short and sweet so don't leave it to a 2 hour sleep okay?



Blow Balloons
When you're stressed, everyone will always say 'take slow breaths' but that's boring. That's why balloons are fun. If you can't be bothered heading down to a gym to release some physical aggression, a balloon will help you relieve the stress by encouraging you to breath slower and deeper. Blowing balloons also reduces your heart rate and relaxes your muscles.



Have Sex.
(Lol, I can't believe I just suggested this). Having a bit of physical intimacy is an easy and fun way to reduce stress. Whether you're with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or friend with benefits, kissing releases happy chemicals in the brain as well as lowering your blood pressure. It also, boosts your self esteem and burns a few calories.

Welcome to our second installment of our easy peasy lemon squeezy lunchtime series where you should save the over-achieving at work. You know what I mean, with the emergence of #foodporn, flatlays and Masterchef, us Aussies want to eat well. Here's a quick and easy savoury dish that will not only impress your friends, but also take the stress away from you when you're trying to figure out what to eat for lunch! Introducing: White Chocolate and Raspberry Ricotta Jaffles.

When you first start off working at an office, you'll ask yourself two things: why is everyone on a diet here? And, I spent HOW much this week on lunch?! With that in mind, don't think just to save money on lunch you have to resort to tuna and cruskets, you could be a little more creative. How about: Quinoa Salad with Cherries and Feta?



The following recipe serves between 4 to 6 so, keep that in mind with ingredients (but it's the perfect dish to share with friends on the weekend, and to keep throughout the week!)

Hit up your local grocer and get:
2 cups of cherries
Kosher salt
2 cups of quinoa
3 tablespoons of minced shallot
3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
4 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 cup of minced flat-leaf parsley
1/2 pound feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup toasted almonds

Then...

1. Pit the cherries and set aside in a bowl (pitting means taking out the seedy things inside, after you wash and drain the cherries in a colander) while you make the quinoa
2. Bring a pot of salted water into a boil, while you add the quinoa to a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Add the quinoa to the boiling water for 7 minutes or barely "al dente" - strain it using a strainer
3. Add an inch of water into the pot, and set the fine mesh strainer in the pot. Make sure the water doesn't touch the quinoa. Turn the heat up to high and cover it with a dish towel to keep the moisture in, let it steam for 3 to 5 minutes
4. Turn the quinoa out and into a large mixing bowl, and fluff it up with a fork
5. Slice the cherries into thin rounds 
6. Add the minced shallot, red wine vinegar, olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the bowl of cherries. This is to ensure we make a bit of a dressing from the cherry juices. 
7. Drizzle this over the quinoa, and add the parsley, feta and almonds. Toss and combine
8. Put this bowl on a clean contrasting work desk, arrange your notebooks at a creative angle, add some accessories and viola, the perfect Instagram flatlay.

For most university degrees, it's recommended that students start applying for internships with the hopes that they'll gain more experience and skills to grow your careers. Most large organisations publicise in their application forms that these internships could eventuate into full time jobs, which for most, could mean SCORE. So, how do you get there?


Don't be afraid to be picky with your internships.
When applying, its best to research the organisation you're working for. Do your values fit in with theirs? What type of activities will you be involved in, and what will you gain? These are questions you need to ask yourself and during your interview as it's a way for you to suss out whether you'll enjoy it or not. You're worth more than just getting coffees for the boss (you shouldn't be getting coffees for them, but WITH them btw).



Act like a professional.
That doesn't necessarily mean you have to act like you know everything when you walk through the doors - that would get annoying. But rather, conduct yourself professionally. That means being honest, don't bitch about other co-workers with fellow interns/colleagues, know phone etiquette, and for the love of all that is good, don't wear flipflops. The walls have eyes.


Familiarise yourself with networking.
In order to land that full time position, it's important to make yourself known in the office. Make a name for yourself other than 'the intern'. This is done through networking. Make the effort to go to work events where you can really talk to your co-workers. Sure, it might be intimidating, but everyone was just like you at one stage.



Ask questions
Think of your intern experience as an ongoing job interview, where questions are a good thing. By asking questions, you will appear switched on, you will appear engaged and you will appear interested. Questions will also allow you to figure out if this is the right path for you as you learn more about the skills you need that will help you grow.


Set goals for yourself. 
During your internship, you'll be given tasks you're not particularly interested in. But just like life, you'll have to grab it by the horns and get it over and done with. Also, be assertive. Once you've finished your tasks, ask for more. The amount of interns who actually don't ask for more tasks to do is quite surprising, so think of this as a way to put yourself ahead of the rest.

Finally, it's important to show that you're interested in working there. After a few weeks, you'll know whether or not this is an organisation where you'd like to work, and a team you'd like to work with. Positivity and enthusiasm radiates. Own it.

So long mid-semester break, it was nice to know you, for a week. It's crunch time now, as much as I'd hate to say it and with only a few weeks left until the end of semester, it's important we don't lose what's left of our sanity. While some of us are trying to maintain a study/life balance, some might be in the midst of juggling a work/study/life balance. Whatever you may be doing, here are just three simple tips to keep with you, even when you do start working after studies.

Get on it, you deserve it.