Stepping into the postgraduate world comes with its own unique set of challenges. Having recently embarked on my master’s journey fresh out of undergraduate study, I’ve learned a few things that can help to ease the adjustment.
The transition is two-fold: you must adapt to both an unfamiliar environment and a different way of studying. In all honesty, the former surprisingly feels more arduous. In undergraduate study, first year usually does not count toward your final mark – this gives freshers a chance to settle into their surroundings without too much academic pressure. For a master’s, however, you must immediately acclimatise since you’re thrust into an intense mode of study from the outset – this is especially so for full timers. Whilst I acknowledge not everyone is new to the city in which they pursue their master’s, that is the personal experience I have drawn upon to garner these tidbits of advice!
When it comes to adapting to a new setting, while familiarising yourself is important, take it slow and balance it carefully with the workload. Pacing myself when exploring Edinburgh was challenging at first because there was so much to see and do and it was disappointing when I had to simply knuckle down. Learn from my mistake; for a city as beautiful as Edinburgh, I would advise moving in a couple weeks before your course start date. Once your programme begins, consider setting a day, or at least an afternoon, aside each week for sightseeing; this will not only boost your mental wellbeing, but incentivise studying – a double win. Beyond the unfamiliar city, you may also be joining an entirely different institution. Attending university-run events, both academic and social, will no doubt accelerate assimilation and help you form friendships.
In terms of the academic side, classes are often much smaller than undergraduate courses and contact hours may be fewer, meaning lots of self-directed studying. This independence is a double edged sword; whilst it means license to research what you enjoy, it can be lonely when there are few people working within that same niche. To help yourself ease in, perhaps get ahead of the curve by acquiring reading lists before your course begins – that way you may feel slightly more prepared, thereby reducing the potential of being overwhelmed!
Just remember, navigating postgraduate study transcends the academics. Look up from your desk and appreciate Edinburgh – or whatever city you’re in – because at the end of the day, to reiterate that simple yet timeless truth, life is about finding balance.
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