TIPS FOR A MASTERS STUDENT

Being a student at any age isn’t easy. It sometimes feels like the education system was designed to stress us out. Upon my admission into the University of York, one of my best friends gifted me a book entitled: Surviving Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School by Dr. Adam Ruben. Highly recommend, by the way, it’s a quick and amusing read!

But you, like me, might have made the decision to continue your education. And if you’re anything like me, your undergraduate advisors and professors have basically terrified you concerning the future. Sure, they’ve also inspired you to continue your education, but they’ve also spent countless hours telling you that graduate school isn’t easy and a job just won’t be set into your lap once you’ve got a Masters or a PhD.

Although I haven’t quite survived grad school yet, I’d like to think that I’ve done a decent job of it. As I’ve mentioned before, I seem to baffle the students around me who all can’t understand how I’m constantly excited about basically everything and not stress-crying about research. Believe me, I definitely do my fair share of crying and ranting. Sometimes in my flat, sometimes on the shoulders of my friends, and sometimes in a lecturer’s office.

So, if you want to know how I’ve survived grad school, here are my tips:

BE CONFIDENT IN YOUR TALENTS

A phrase you often hear associated with Masters and PhD students is imposter syndrome. It’s the idea that somehow you’re not qualified enough and have managed to slide under the radar and into your course. I definitely still struggle with this. There are seminars that went by where I didn’t speak up because I didn’t feel like I had a well-formed enough thought or a valid opinion on a topic. But then I had to take a step back and realize all I had to do to get me to this moment.

Think about all your accomplishments. Big or small. Significant or seemingly insignificant. Also never forget what you’re good at. I know that I’m a decent writer and good at public speaking, so I use what skills I have to my advantage.

The people around you may also be good at these skills and that’s okay! And, to be honest, they’re probably feeling the exact same as you are.

BEFRIEND YOUR COHORT

The people in my cohort are my favorite people in York. Since September 2017, they have been the people that knew exactly what I was feeling. These are the young academics that inspire and challenge me every day. I honestly wouldn’t trade a single one of them because each have their own specific talents and research areas. I depend on them for moral support while researching my dissertation and there are honestly moments where I didn’t think I could get through a seminar without them.

Take advantage of the opportunity to make life-long friends and colleagues. While they may not know exactly what you’re talking about when you’re explaining your dissertation topic, they will always be there to listen and ask questions.

Support them. Love them. Cherish them. They might teach you more than any seminar or essay ever could.

FIND A BALANCE

Getting a Master degree is a lot of work; I won’t lie to you there. For my MA in Medieval Studies, it was a lot of reading, writing, and sitting around a table discussing what I was reading and what I planned to write. Be prepared for that kind of workload.

But also don’t let go of your hobbies. Don’t stop doing the things that you enjoy.

It’s important to learn how to prioritise your time. This will help to reduce stress and keep you mentally and emotionally happy.

I’m one of those people who needs to be constantly busy. If I don’t have a deadline in the near future, I will find 101 things to do before my work. But I’ve learned how to combat my procrastination, which is to fill my schedule and force myself to use my time wisely. Now, naturally, this isn’t going to work for everyone.

Find out what works best for you.

Also, be sure to research something that you’re passionate about. A good portion of your free time will go to reading, writing, and researching. Choose to spend your time asking questions that you’re genuinely interested in knowing the answers to. Use your degree as the opportunity it is.

Balance your work or else you’ll burn yourself out before that dissertation gets bound and turned in.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF SAYING ‘YES’

My final piece of advice is not to be afraid to say ‘yes’ to new experiences. Most people say that undergrad is the time to experiment and find out your passions, but that curiosity doesn’t need to end once you obtain your BA.

Some of my most memorable experiences in York have been unrelated to my research or degree. While I often worried about having time to find balance, I kept finding new experiences to try.

Alongside my degree:

• I spend my time volunteering at one of the Jorvik sites.

• I am an Ambassador for York Fashion Week.

• I worked as an intern for the HIT Network.

• I am a part of University of York’s Centre for Medieval Studies’ amateur drama group, the Lords of Misrule.

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Most importantly, it is necessary to listen to yourself and to use this time to also get to know yourself better.

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Until next time, my loves! Stay wonderful and stress less.