Don’t get snowed under

If you’re coming back to Lancaster to do a Masters, or even from a different university, now is your time to do the things you didn’t before. If you just let opportunities pass you by, or didn’t have the time because you had a million other things going on: give them a go now! I think my main piece of advice would be to have that balance. With a masters it’s so easy to get caught up in the increased workload and extra pressures but it truly is as stressful as you make it, you can only get snowed under as much as you’ll let it. I think it’s so important to have other things to occupy your time, even if they aren’t that much fun and they’re more for career experience, at least it’s something different. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is to try new things or at least carry on with the things you enjoy, because it’s so easy to get overwhelmed.

 

No more being spoon-fed

Having done an undergraduate degree, you’re no stranger to independent learning and researching topic of your own volition. This reliance on your initiative and skills becomes increasingly important in your masters. The lecturers are there to provide you with the foundational knowledge and the rest is up to you. Every week of your module is like an independent learning experience because the material you’re provided with only does half the job! In the world of academia, a masters is a stepping stone between an undergraduate degree and a doctorate, a gateway to a PhD. Even if this is not what you intend to do after you masters, just like it was not my end goal, that’s essentially the function for a masters in terms of independence in learning.

 

Falling behind

If you feel like everyone else knows so much more than you that’s normal. There is often an expectation that you will know the basics of what you’re going to be studying, because you chose to do a masters in it and should therefore know a bit about it right? I went from doing an undergrad in something different to what my masters was in, so I definitely felt out of it. Therefore, my advice to you here would be that, if there is a general module that covers a range of theories and/or practices in the area you’re studying that isn’t already compulsory, it may be worth at least auditing the module if your timetable allows. Auditing a module is a really great way of getting involved in a topic that can enrich and contribute to your studies, without the added pressure of an assessment at the end of it. The module I audited in my first term helped me to grasp concepts discussed in other modules so much more easily, I could then use the material that I had learned in other assessments.

 

Ultimately, if you are struggling to keep up and you feel like everything is too complicated no matter how much you try to grasp things, speak up and ask for help. Your lecturers are there to point you in the right direction and recommend ways to get yourself back on track. I found that my lecturers have been nothing but helpful and really keen on making sure everyone understands them; because if not, then it’s just a waste of everyone’s time and a waste of your money!

 

Money is time

I imagine you’re probably a little worried about money and if you’re considering getting a job, you’ll most likely be worried about the time that will take away from your studies. So far I think I’ve made it sound like your masters is going to be really intense and you won’t have time for anything outside of your studies. Whilst that is partly true and you will have to priorities and make sacrifices, you will also have time for part-time work. Those time-management skills that you acquired in your undergrad will serve you well here and be developed into a whole new brand of organisation. Another difference between undergrad and postgrad is that your contact time will most likely be reduced significantly, depending on your course and how many modules you audit. Whilst the purpose for this is to give you more study time, being that your masters is about independent learning, it also gives you more time for hobbies, socialising, societies, exercise and a job.

 

Postgraduate culture

Depending on course again, there tends to be a stark difference between the size of lectures in you masters year(s) compared to your undergraduate; particularly when those on your course will choose different modules based on different interests. This was definitely something I expected, coming from a major at undergrad that was already fairly small, a small group in lectures was something I was used to. It’s nothing to worry about it you aren’t used to it, as smaller groups give moire opportunity to get know people better and adds to the culture of collaboration. After undergrad, you tend to have better access to your lectures as well and a better working relationship with them; as there are less of you and what you are studying is more specific, there is more discussion to be had with academic staff in your department.

 

Just enjoy

The main thing to remember here is to enjoy it! You’ve chosen to come back and do a masters, for whatever reason that may be, you are here to learn more and take up as many opportunities as possible to really help you in your future career. Having your end goal in mind will really help keep you motivated, as it really kept me going. If I could do anything differently it would be to not put so much pressure on myself and tell myself that I’m doing my best and there’s nothing more I can do. I don’t regret taking so much on and getting involved in the university because it’s been a really great experience. No matter what your worries and expectations, you’ll have a great time studying a Masters here at Lancaster!

 

Martha Eckersley, MA Diplomacy and Foreign Policy