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Nine Thoughts All Postgraduate Students Are Guaranteed to Have at Some Point

If you’re feeling nervous about going from studying for an undergraduate degree to postgraduate degree, try to keep in mind that there are thousands of students in the same position, as well as countless other students who have gone through it too. There are a lot of shared experiences when it comes to postgraduate study, and we’re certain many students past and present have thought similar things as they progress through their courses – so don’t worry, you’re in the same boat together, and you’ll get through it. We’ve picked out nine thoughts that all postgraduate students have had while studying... 

1. I’m going to focus this year 

You may have thought this a few times during your second and third years of undergrad, but now that you’re a postgrad, you really mean it – and you should follow through on it too. Standards and study hours can sharply rise when you get to postgraduate level, and staying focused is incredibly important. 

2. I miss my undergraduate course 

It's a big change and challenge to go from undergrad to postgrad, which can leave you feeling nostalgic for the days when you could easily coast through a module without much effort. Always remember why you’re doing this advanced course and how it will help you in your career later down the road. 

3. Am I going to fail my degree? 

As with feeling nostalgic for your undergrad, the higher standards of postgraduate courses can make you feel worried about your grades. Imposter syndrome can crop up from time to time, but keep in mind that you will have satisfied the entry requirements to your course and your lecturers are there to support you, so you should have everything to need to succeed.  

4. I hope I make friends on my course 

Even if you’re studying a similar subject at the same university, you might end up knowing fewer people in your lectures than before and feel somewhat alienated. This feeling can be multiplied if you’re going to a new institution.  

If this is the case, put in the effort to reach out to other people on your course, because the likelihood is that they feel the same way. 

5. Will I still be able to go to the SU? 

Even on your postgrad, you’re still a student at the university, so you are more than welcome to join in and be a part of the community. That being said, you may feel like you will want to cut down the number of nights out from when you were a first year student, which is probably wise. 

6. What comes after this? 

When the end of your postgraduate degree is in sight, you can start to feel worried about what comes next? Do you want to keep on studying and get a doctorate, or are you going to try and begin your career? Luckily, most universities will have a careers service team to help give you advice on job opportunities, and lecturers will often be happy to talk about further education potential. 

7. I could use a night off 

You don’t have to spend every waking moment of your postgraduate degree stuck in the university library with your nose in a book. Take regular breaks and give yourself a night off occasionally, otherwise you risk burning out. Nobody does their best work when completely exhausted! 

8. This year is going too quickly 

If you thought that your undergraduate degree went by too fast, you’ll be surprised at how quick your postgraduate degree will be. There are significantly fewer moments where you’ll find yourself without multiple things to do, and many postgraduate courses are only a year long in the first place. Make sure that you plan carefully, and put aside some time to just enjoy it. 

9. Doing a postgraduate degree was an amazing decision 

It really is. 

Next: Read more postgraduate life advice

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