Getting far too stressed now!

20083

2

OK, starting to really freak out about things and more things keep piling on top.

Firstly there is the obvious one of exams, have my last one tomorrow and am starting to panic again. Was up all night last night studying on and off but still not ready for it.

Secondly there is the work placement that I am starting next Monday. Really dreading this because I have no idea what to expect. I don't know how to dress, how to act/talk to people. What are they gonna be looking for in me, ace computing skills? Do I need to be really eager to learn or will that piss off my colleagues? What if I can't do the jobs that they ask me to do? This is a completely new world that I am going into. Don't even feel comfortable contacting them cause everything feels so formal (anyone who knows me will know, formal is not me!).

They have sent me a letter, which I just received today, that I have to sign and send back to accept the position that they have offered me. In this letter they said "Our offer is subject to sight of original qualification certification and receipt of two references." Does this mean I go and talk to two people, get them to write a reference or that I give the company my referees contact details? The original qualification is a problem too. I did my HNC at college last year but never actually got a certificate from them cause of last minute changes of plans. I am expecting the certificate when they come out this August. The college had to confirm my grade over the phone to the university before I got my offer made unconditional.

Today I got an email telling me about a report that I have to write because I have a scholarship. I have to fill two whole pages and talk about my experiences and any good grades that I have gotten. Well, as I am just going through my second set of exams and didn't do exceptional in any of the first ones (although I did pass them all) I have no "good grades" to tell them about.

Reply 1

immortal

10

Erm....exaggerate all your achievements by associating them with some kind of deep personal growth? And they'll probably want your referees.

Reply 2

britishseapower

14

Nessyfencer

Secondly there is the work placement that I am starting next Monday. Really dreading this because I have no idea what to expect. I don't know how to dress, how to act/talk to people. What are they gonna be looking for in me, ace computing skills? Do I need to be really eager to learn or will that piss off my colleagues? What if I can't do the jobs that they ask me to do? This is a completely new world that I am going into. Don't even feel comfortable contacting them cause everything feels so formal (anyone who knows me will know, formal is not me!).

I'm assuming your working in an office by your reference to computing skills so just wear a shirt and tie, you can't go wrong with that. It's work experience so I doubt they are going to expect you to be a maestro on computers and pick things up straight away so relax. If you can't do the jobs that they ask you to do, just explain that you can't do them because you haven't had the correct training. They will appreciate you doing that more so than pretending you know how to do what they ask and then messing things up. Be eager to learn but don't mither them, if you can see that they are busy then wait until their not.

Reply 3

britishseapower

14

Nessyfencer

They have sent me a letter, which I just received today, that I have to sign and send back to accept the position that they have offered me. In this letter they said "Our offer is subject to sight of original qualification certification and receipt of two references." Does this mean I go and talk to two people, get them to write a reference or that I give the company my referees contact details? The original qualification is a problem too. I did my HNC at college last year but never actually got a certificate from them cause of last minute changes of plans. I am expecting the certificate when they come out this August. The college had to confirm my grade over the phone to the university before I got my offer made unconditional.

Normally if they require the contact details of the referees there will be a section on the form for their insertion? As for your qualifcation you will just have to do what you did regarding university.

Reply 4

britishseapower

14

Nessyfencer

Today I got an email telling me about a report that I have to write because I have a scholarship. I have to fill two whole pages and talk about my experiences and any good grades that I have gotten. Well, as I am just going through my second set of exams and didn't do exceptional in any of the first ones (although I did pass them all) I have no "good grades" to tell them about.

Well you passed them so thats a start. Let them know that you have passed and explain that although you didn't do exceptionally well, you are optimistic about achieving higher gades in the future as you have learned from your mistakes. Whether or not you actually have is another thing but only you can sort that out.

Reply 5

crema

9

First of all, don't panic with your exam. You have studied for it during the year, now revised for it. You know more than you think you know and tomorrow when you get the exam paper in front you will remember loads of things about the subject, even if it is not clear in your mind now. You've still got a few hours to do some practice essays, they are a good way to connect anc concise the information in your head. Get a good nights sleep, and in the exam before you begin writing anything take a deep breath and read the question carefully before starting on the essay plan.

Secondly, your work placement will not expect you to be a full-out-professional, you are on a placement. Be eager to learn new things, but ask for intelligent questions, not the sort of questions you could find out by yourself really easy. (ie like here when people ask for stuff they could just as easily google themselves.) Dress neatly and take a suit-jacket in case they are formal. Shirt and tie is probs enough, but just to be on the safe side.

References would imply it is a written reference you have to present them, not contact details of references. Ask tutors or teachers, or maybe a reference from a previous work place. As for the original certification, there's not really much you can do if you don't have it. Explain them why and tell them how they can verify it. (Calling your school etc)

Don't worry, it'll sort itself out. Just concentrate on your exam now, then sort out references and call the work place to inform them about your certificate. Then start tackling your scholarship application. Work consistently until you've managed to get one thing out of the way and soon you've completed everything.

Reply 6

20083

OP

2

Thanks for the replies guys, helps a bit.

As for the placement, it will be in the IT department of a large firm. Surely they will expect me to have a good knowledge of computing as I am finishing my second year of computing science at university now (I started in second year). Just worried that I won't know enough or be able to put it into practice when I go there. I mean, I don't even know what bits of computing I am best at myself yet.

The scholarship is not an application, it is something that I already have and need to keep. The placement is part of the scholarship.

I just really lack confidence in my own abilities. Don't know why.

Reply 7

britishseapower

14

It's work experience, nobody is going to expect you to handle the most important tasks of the business or whatever and if they do you will probably be supervised so seriously, I wouldn't worry about it.

Reply 8

20083

OP

2

britishseapower

It's work experience, nobody is going to expect you to handle the most important tasks of the business or whatever and if they do you will probably be supervised so seriously, I wouldn't worry about it.

Does the fact that they are paying me well change that at all?

Reply 9

britishseapower

14

not really, it's still work experience. Even if it was starting off at the business, nobody realisitically is going to expect you to pick the job up on the first day, people are entitled to make mistakes you know.

Reply 10

20083

OP

2

britishseapower

not really, it's still work experience. Even if it was starting off at the business, nobody realisitically is going to expect you to pick the job up on the first day, people are entitled to make mistakes you know.

Thanks. I really want to make a good impression here. I have been told by a lot of people that it is a really good company to work. Good wages (I am getting good wages now, can only imagine what they pay experienced people), every second 'feature' on the city's radio station has their name attached to it, good pension, health care, etc.

There were two scholars before me, both have been kept on full time.

Reply 11

20083

OP

2

First day went well :smile:

They didn't have me doing much, induction stuff, a meeting and a few people had to move to different desks so shifted all their computing stuff.

Worried for nothing though, everyone is really supportive :smile:

Getting far too stressed now!

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