How did you keep your head as a postgrad?
For me, it was essential to focus on my goals, I wanted an MLitt, and I wanted a distinction and a funded PhD. As I did my MLitt by Distance and continued working freelance during it, I had to structure my work very strictly from the beginning and that certainly helped when deadlines approached. Probably, being able to switch between uni work and other work whenever I reached a dead end in my thinking was a big advantage, too.
What was the first week like for you as a post grad student?
I my course, we were thrown in pretty much at the deep end, there was a huge amount of reading and right from the first lecture it was clear that the level was entirely different than during undergraduate studies. However, weirdly enough this more challenging course motivated me to work much harder than I ever did during my BA.
What kind of welcome activities were open to you?
There were inductions, staff introductions, meetings with personal tutors, seminars about using the library and e-ressources, about research and about essay writing. The SU also offered a lot of welcome activities but I didn't participate in them.
How did the experience compare to freshers week as an undergrad?
I didn't do any fresher's activities, mainly because I didn't live near the university but also because I couldn't take time off my breadwinning work too much for non-essential things at uni.
How did you combat any feelings of isolation that intensestudy can bring? (if you felt that way)
Luckily, I never felt isolated even during the most intense period before submitting my MLitt dissertation. I guess it helped that I live with my partner of five years and our cat, and my partner always supported me during this time. I also kept contact with my fellow students who were going through the same difficulties. It's good to remember you're not the only one going through dissertation crises or spending days on end reading papers which turn out to be no help for your research topic at all.
Do you work part-time?
I actually worked almost full-time, but as a freelancer, so I scheduled my work comitments around submission dates for assignments and could also attend all lectures and seminars. On the one hand, it's great to be able to study without any money worries or getting further into student debt, on the other hand I usually had at least a 60 - 70 hours week, no free weekends and basically no hobbies or social life for the entire year.
Did you act as a student ambassador for any of the opendays? Were you more involved as a post grad?
Due to my MLitt being a distance course, I didn't get involved in any of these activities. However, I'm about to start a PhD on campus and plan to support new postgraduate students there who are starting the MLitt I have just finished.