PhD student Lubna answers some questions about what it was like moving from undergraduate to postgraduate study in the Department of Biology at York.
What part of transitioning to postgraduate study was the hardest and how did you tackle this?
I was very fortunate to have a smooth transition into postgraduate studies from undergraduate. It really helped that I was already familiar with the University and the department as I did my undergrad here. What I also appreciated was that my academic supervisor from undergrad was still happy to have catch up chats with me to see how things were going etc, and to this day I still see him around from time to time.
Something as little as a quick hello in the corridors really does make a difference, makes you feel part of the community. Additionally, by the time I got to postgrad, I had figured out what methods of learning/studying worked the best for me and stuck with these practices which helped a lot. I also made sure to make time for relaxing and socialising with friends as that’s also an important aspect.
Why did you choose to do a Masters/PhD after your undergraduate study?
I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do after undergrad, I had considered going down the medicine route as this was something I had always kept at the back of my mind since A levels. However, I later discovered that perhaps this wasn’t for me, so I decided to pursue a bit of further study to explore other areas of biology I found interesting.
After my Masters, the decision to pursue a PhD was very easy. The part of my Masters I enjoyed the most was the five-month summer research project. I did have the opportunity to explore other career options as I didn’t go straight into a PhD after my MSc. I initially spent a year back in Nigeria where I worked in a management consulting firm as an intern analyst for a few months and then an administrative role in a construction company. An important thing I learned from both roles was I could not imagine myself staying in either role long term and very much missed the academic world, the research process and being in a lab.
What piece of advice would you give to a student starting their Masters?
If you ever feel like you don’t understand something or a concept seems very difficult to understand, just ask for help and guidance because more often than you realise, there will be other people who feel the same way too.
Super cheesy as it may be, make the most of the time and don’t forget to enjoy yourself!
What have you enjoyed most about your time at York (at any point in your studies)?
I think at each stage during my time at York, I have had a different experience, all very enjoyable. I would say the people I have met along the way have been the best part, all the way from freshers week in first year of undergrad to now, they have all been an amazing part of my experience at York.
Any top tips to share with us?
For anyone considering postgraduate, in particular, a research postgrad for a few years, make sure to visit the potential place (both the institution and the city) you’re considering to decide if it’s somewhere you’re happy to commit to for a significant amount of time. If possible, have a chat to the people that work there too.
