{"id":3975,"date":"2018-07-04T11:35:13","date_gmt":"2018-07-04T10:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/?p=3975"},"modified":"2020-02-26T17:12:47","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T17:12:47","slug":"5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-masters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.york.ac.uk\/student-voices\/2018\/07\/04\/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-masters\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things I Wish I Knew Before my Masters’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer is here! This means the end of lectures, some (hopefully) consistent weather, and for me and my year-group; a long run-up to the final dissertation hand-in. With all my teaching now completed, I thought I\u2019d take this opportunity to reflect on the year and share five things I wish I\u2019d known at the start of my Masters \u2013 and five songs which go with them.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Your<\/em> time is really in your<\/em> hands
    \n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Time<\/em> – Jungle<\/a> <\/strong>(youtube.com)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sometimes people flinch when I tell them I\u2019m doing a Masters\u2019, and they even do a little \u2018ouch\u2019 when I say that I\u2019m doing part-time work too. There\u2019s a fallacy that postgraduate studies absorb everything you do. I\u2019ve had ample time this year to do what I\u2019ve needed.<\/p>\n

    What I would say is: recognise that your time is really in your hands. I stepped into this year, cautiously worrying that I\u2019d be chained to the library. In reality: the spread of my lectures has allowed me to do loads. I\u2019ve held three freelance roles, continued actively bike riding, playing squash and writing for one of the university papers.<\/p>\n

    Different courses will have varying schedules, and the ends of terms have been tight for time, but you are in control. Postgraduate study lends itself to those who can get a good work rhythm.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Be good to yourself<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Rest<\/em> – Michael Kiwanuka<\/a> <\/strong>(youtube.com)<\/p>\n

      \"\"<\/a>
      Take time off, explore the city! It’s full of excellent places like this on Peasholme Green.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      On the topic of time, be good to yourself! A difficulty I found at the start of this year was taking time out for myself.<\/p>\n

      At the start and end of every term, I\u2019ve had at least two essays due. This meant there was no easy way to block out holiday over Christmas and Easter. You really must be proactive in looking after yourself.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      For instance, I took some long weekends off last term in a quiet period before deadlines. It really helped me not burn out and was a good boost for my wellbeing.<\/p>\n

      Yet again, you\u2019re in control of a lot of your time, so don\u2019t be hard on yourself.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        Make use of the GSA and university societies<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        We are the Village Green Preservation Society<\/em> – The Kinks<\/a> <\/strong>(youtube.com)<\/p>\n

        Squash has been the main thing I\u2019ve done. Sport is fantastic for getting you out of the books and blowing off steam.<\/p>\n

        Reviewing films and music has also given me free tickets and experience in writing (which enabled me to get a role as a writer here!). The university experience is very much open to postgrads here at York.<\/p>\n

        (Yes, I know it\u2019s a vague connection to the song, but I like the Kinks and the lyrics contain the word society.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n

          Make time to get outside and explore<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Always Like This<\/em> – Bombay Bicycle Club<\/a> <\/strong>(youtube.com)<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/a>
          In case it’s not clear, I really enjoy cycling in Yorkshire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

          Yorkshire is gorgeous. Make time to get outside and explore. There are great bus links to pokey villages, and the River Ouse is delightful for strolls all year-round. I got a bike in first term and have not regretted it once.<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          If you cycle north, there\u2019s a long Sustrans route that goes towards Haxby, and the smell of chocolate often wafts from the Nestle factory there. Not to be missed is the planet trail, which starts near the racecourse. This follows models of the solar system planets at scaled intervals along a dedicated bike route.<\/p>\n

          (Again, a loose song connection. I love York’s countryside areas and historic city centre, it’s ‘always like this’, and you can enjoy it on your [bombay] bicycle [club]).<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n

            The last stop on my list is a homage to campus<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Campus<\/em> – Vampire Weekend<\/a> <\/strong>(youtube.com)<\/p>\n

            Here are a few places I only discovered this year that I wish I\u2019d seen earlier:<\/p>\n