The time has come! With KTH Arrival Days this past weekend, most of you incoming international students have arrived and are finally settling in. I know there’s plenty to keep you busy, between moving in, getting set up in a new country, meeting new people… However, these early weeks are also an ideal time to take inventory of the resources around you and set your future self up for success.
Identify key resources
Now is an excellent time to get familiar with the resources available to you as a KTH student. Maybe it’s the computer labs, or the free software available to you, or the library staff and online database. Maybe it’s following up on a question for your course administrator, or scoping out the institutes, research labs, and innovation hubs affiliated with KTH and/or Stockholm. Whatever your academic interests, resources abound.
Explore campus
Your access card will open doors to buildings throughout campus, so be sure to remember your assigned access code. The student union building is full of surprises — restaurants, study spaces, the THS student union office — watch it shapeshift as it plays host to events, career fairs, and more throughout the year. And don’t forget: KTH main campus is bordered by nature, from forest trails to the nearby Brunnsviken lake. If you haven’t yet, take a walk and check out your new environment!
Strategise for your future
I hate to bring your focus out of the moment, but it really is an excellent time to plan ahead. Things like internships and thesis partnerships tend to require an application several months in advance; planning ahead really pays off. Utilise LinkedIn for building a network, connecting with alumni, and exploring opportunities with companies in your field. Put career fairs on the calendar and get your CV up to date. You’ll find these kinds of tips – and more – at the KTH Career Center.
And in the meantime, have fun!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! — enjoy this fresh start. Join social events or organise your own. Meet your neighbours. Get involved in one of the THS student union‘s many organisations or clubs. You’ll find new friends and a future professional network within this community. So have fun and put your best foot forward!
// Claire