Hey Elle,
Completely normal to feel this nervous, especially when it’s a firm you really want.
A few practical things that really helped me, especially with written tasks:
Written work / tasks
One big thing: set your own timers. Don’t rely on just the final deadline.
For example:
10–15 mins to read the brief properly
a few minutes to identify exactly what you’re being asked
then plan before you start writing
A lot of people panic because there’s loads of information, but not all of it is relevant. Take time to work out what actually matters for the question. Also, make sure you’re answering every part of the question. Often one question has multiple elements, and people accidentally only answer one.
If you want to practise, Forage tasks are genuinely useful for getting into the habit of structuring answers and working under time pressure. Even just doing one or two helps.
On converting generally
Try not to treat the scheme like a competition or fixate on conversion the whole time. That pressure can make nerves worse. Focus on learning, asking questions, and being yourself. You got the vac by being you, so don’t suddenly try to act like someone else.
Keeping a daily log of what you’ve worked on, who you’ve spoken to, and what you’ve learned can also be really helpful. Firms often ask what you’ve taken away from the scheme, and it’s much easier to answer when you’ve reflected as you go.
You already have vac scheme experience, which is a big plus. Feeling nervous doesn’t mean you’re unprepared, it just means you care. That’s very normal.
Good luck and I’m sure you’ll smash it in the summer 🙌
