Consider your assessments

Getting used to academic writing again might be difficult if you have not done any during the placement, but it gets easier quickly. Remember to take your time and be kind to yourself!

The first step for post-placement assessments is to collate any notes, pictures, or materials you gathered during your placement. Consider how these can be enhanced by additional reading or research to support your experiences for your assessment.

If you don't have many written materials, there is no need to worry, as post-placement assessments are often reflective. You can review everything you have accomplished and learned during the placement period and write it up according to the assessment requirements.

Consider your new skills

One of the best things about placements is the new skills you gain during the year. Make sure to update your CV and add the placement and any skills you may have gained or improved.

Consider how you can use these skills at university. Most skills you learn in a placement will be transferrable to academia, especially if your placement is specific to your degree. Look at how you can utilise these skills during the academic year to enhance your assessments.

Consider your networking

Keep in touch with the people you worked with and other placement students you met during your placement. During the transition period back into academia, it’s helpful to have contact with other people going through similar experiences.

The networking from placements can be useful after university, and some placement providers will offer graduate jobs after your degree finishes. Keep in touch with people you met on your placement by email or social networking such as LinkedIn.

Your university department may want you to speak to other students to advertise the available placement options. If you are comfortable with this, it’s a great opportunity to network with your peers while sharing your experiences.