Settling into a Masters Degree - Fresher's Week for Postgraduates

#1 Explore your city

I’ve been a student in Sheffield for 4 years now, and every year I never fail to find new places to visit. Whether you’ve studied in your current city before or not, it’s essential that you actually get out and see the place in which you’ll be living for a year.

Doing a Masters isn’t just about the workload, after all.

Getting to know the area around you will also mean less stress when you need to get to those all-important classes.

#2 Look out for postgraduate welcome events

As an experienced student you probably won’t need to attend all of the orientation events offered to undergraduates. But that doesn’t mean your university won’t welcome you. In fact, many departments now hold welcoming drinks for new postgraduates.

If that’s the case for you, then go! If it’s your first time at this particular university, then this is a great opportunity to meet fellow students and get to know your tutors.

If, as was the case for my MA, your department is a rather small one and isn’t holding welcoming drinks, see if you can attend another. I found my way into one a friend attended – it was great catching up with old course-mates.

And even if you aren’t starting at a new university, don’t overlook welcome events. You’re a different kind of student now, with the chance to make your own contribution to your department’s work. Getting to know fellow staff and postgraduates is an ideal way to begin that relationship.

Plus, it’s always nice to start the year with a drink and a chat.

#3 Jump at every postgraduate or society fair

I’ll admit, some societies and events can seem a bit naff. But the majority are awesome. And they aren’t just for undergraduates.

You may be studying at a new level, but your interests haven’t changed and finding people to share them with will be just as important for your wellbeing and your work-life balance.

Societies are obviously a great way to meet students at a new university and this can be particularly valuable as a postgraduate. You may be new to this level of study, but you’re not alone. Getting to know your fellow Masters students will help you manage the transition together.

You may find that your university has a dedicated postgraduate society – a great way to meet students outside your course and perhaps even learn about PhD study. But don’t just restrict yourself to postgraduate groups or events. Most university societies will admit students at all levels.

In addition, you’ll acquire so many new pens and bits of stationery, you won’t need to frequent W.H.Smith for the rest of the year (but who am I kidding, we all shop at Wilko anyway).

#4 Consider becoming a student rep'

So this isn’t for everyone. However, students that are members of societies are also usually the people that get a say in how your students’ union and university work together – especially those on the student council!

As a postgraduate you already have experience of university and of student issues. This can help make you an ideal candidate for some student rep positions. It also means you’ll have a lot to offer – particularly if you’ve seen how things are done at more than one university.

This kind of work doesn’t just give you the opportunity to explore new hobbies and have a say in how your university is run. Being on the committee of a society also looks great on your CV.

Just as importantly, you’ll learn things about yourself that you may not otherwise have an opportunity to discover. Many of the skills and attributes I have are owed to the committees which I was a part of – and my email signature looked great when applying for jobs.

#5 Get yourself down to your university’s careers and networking events

Let’s face it, you may be continuing university (or returning) but, as a Masters student, you’re one step closer to making some important choices about your future career. Thankfully, universities offer a range of services that can help support you with this.

If you don’t yet know what to do in life, these can seem a bit daunting. But, even if you’ve got a good idea of the career you’re aiming for, these events are a good way to filter out anything you’re not sure of.

Universities are good at keeping up with – and even ahead of – the times, and prospective employees are expected to do more and more when it comes to finding a job. This is precisely what these events help you with.

Meeting employers and learning about the ways in which you are expected to search and apply for jobs will give you that competitive edge when looking for work.

#6 Accept that the 9-5 routine may now be more your style

Even if you work during your Masters, staying up late and pulling all-nighters just isn’t going to cut it on a postgraduate degree.

You are working much more closely to the schedules of other professionals, meaning you’ll need to be readily equipped to tackle day-to-day activities.

A hot chocolate in bed at 10pm will therefore more likely be your thing than heading out boozing ‘til 3am (until the weekend, perhaps…).

#7 Do your reading!

You may have read in my previous blog that my MA course consisted of only two people! In most cases, Masters seminars are much smaller than undergraduate ones. This makes participation even more important.

If you regularly turn up having not done your reading, not only will you look foolish in front of your limited study pals, you’ll soon also have difficulty keeping up.

Postgraduate work is also more advanced and it can take longer to properly ‘digest’ material.

So if you can, get hold of reading lists early on. This will give you time to reflect on your course material and stay ahead of the game.

#8 Do give yourself a break from time to time

Postgraduate work is harder, but that doesn’t mean your Masters needs to take over your entire life. It’s important to give yourself a break.

In order to do this well, you’re going to have to be organised. Set yourself a schedule with daily goals, and you’ll certainly be able to enjoy a guilt-free Sunday - instead of last-minute panic-cramming.

When writing my dissertation, I still attended numerous festivals and went on holiday – having the best of both worlds is easy if you plan ahead.

#9 Finally, enjoy it!

For most people, a masters is only a year long – so make the most of it! Life experience is just as important as grades.

And if you fancy checking out fresher's fair this week... well, why not?