[Starlight_x]

I'm 21 years old, and have just graduated from university. I've accepted an offer for postgraduate study, which I'll hopefully be starting in September. I'm just starting to get a little worried about the prospect of postgraduate level.

Before I went to university for my undergraduate, I was so excited for the new experience in a new city. However, even though I am going to a different university than I did my undergraduate degree in, I'm getting quite nervous about it all. I guess there is a little bit of a 'Freshers' feeling coming back, with a new university, new course, and new course mates, as well as living in a new city. I guess it's the unknown of it all, and how well I'll get on with people on my course. I don't think it helps that I'll still be on holiday during registration week, so I won't be able to register / meet my flatmates until my course starts.

I'm worried that I won't be able to succeed with as good marks as I did for undergraduate level, as I'll be undertaking a completely different course, and obviously at postgraduate level, it will be much harder than undergraduate. I really want to get a good mark for my masters degree, so to not look back on it and regret it.

Also, the majority of my friends have started full time employment, and in one sense I'm a little jealous (as they will have income, and work experience), and that I'll still be at university, doing essays and exams. Saying that, it is only for a year, and I can only imagine how quickly that will pass. I just think to myself sometimes "Do I really want to go back into education?" "I'd be better just getting a job and experience".... but then I think about how useful the masters degree will be for me to have.

On the other hand, I feel so fortunate that I can afford a masters degree (only just!), and so pleased that I have been accepted into a course to further my education. The sense of achievement I will feel after getting my masters degree will be amazing, and that it can hopefully help me with my job prospects (as it's an area I want to go into), where I can show how the masters has helped me develop.

I just can't believe I'm the same girl who wanted to leave school at sixteen... and look at me now, going on to pursue masters degree! I don't know... sometimes I'm really excited about the prospect, and other times I really do question my decision. A year out really isn't an option for me, as I don't think I'd go back to education otherwise.

Is anyone else feeling like this at the moment? Or can give me any advice?

[Cora Lindsay]

(Original post by Starlight_x)
I'm 21 years old, and have just graduated from university. I've accepted an offer for postgraduate study, which I'll hopefully be starting in September. I'm just starting to get a little worried about the prospect of postgraduate level.

Before I went to university for my undergraduate, I was so excited for the new experience in a new city. However, even though I am going to a different university than I did my undergraduate degree in, I'm getting quite nervous about it all. I guess there is a little bit of a 'Freshers' feeling coming back, with a new university, new course, and new course mates, as well as living in a new city. I guess it's the unknown of it all, and how well I'll get on with people on my course. I don't think it helps that I'll still be on holiday during registration week, so I won't be able to register / meet my flatmates until my course starts.

I'm worried that I won't be able to succeed with as good marks as I did for undergraduate level, as I'll be undertaking a completely different course, and obviously at postgraduate level, it will be much harder than undergraduate. I really want to get a good mark for my masters degree, so to not look back on it and regret it.

Also, the majority of my friends have started full time employment, and in one sense I'm a little jealous (as they will have income, and work experience), and that I'll still be at university, doing essays and exams. Saying that, it is only for a year, and I can only imagine how quickly that will pass. I just think to myself sometimes "Do I really want to go back into education?" "I'd be better just getting a job and experience".... but then I think about how useful the masters degree will be for me to have.

On the other hand, I feel so fortunate that I can afford a masters degree (only just!), and so pleased that I have been accepted into a course to further my education. The sense of achievement I will feel after getting my masters degree will be amazing, and that it can hopefully help me with my job prospects (as it's an area I want to go into), where I can show how the masters has helped me develop.

I just can't believe I'm the same girl who wanted to leave school at sixteen... and look at me now, going on to pursue masters degree! I don't know... sometimes I'm really excited about the prospect, and other times I really do question my decision. A year out really isn't an option for me, as I don't think I'd go back to education otherwise.

Is anyone else feeling like this at the moment? Or can give me any advice?

It's natural but, hopefully, you'll be fine. You are doing this because you want to, so don't waste time and energy looking around at what your contemporaries are doing. Very few people get to spend time doing what they really want to do, so appreciate the opportunity you have.

[Nattatouille]

(Original post by Starlight_x)
I'm 21 years old, and have just graduated from university. I've accepted an offer for postgraduate study, which I'll hopefully be starting in September. I'm just starting to get a little worried about the prospect of postgraduate level.

Before I went to university for my undergraduate, I was so excited for the new experience in a new city. However, even though I am going to a different university than I did my undergraduate degree in, I'm getting quite nervous about it all. I guess there is a little bit of a 'Freshers' feeling coming back, with a new university, new course, and new course mates, as well as living in a new city. I guess it's the unknown of it all, and how well I'll get on with people on my course. I don't think it helps that I'll still be on holiday during registration week, so I won't be able to register / meet my flatmates until my course starts.

I'm worried that I won't be able to succeed with as good marks as I did for undergraduate level, as I'll be undertaking a completely different course, and obviously at postgraduate level, it will be much harder than undergraduate. I really want to get a good mark for my masters degree, so to not look back on it and regret it.

Also, the majority of my friends have started full time employment, and in one sense I'm a little jealous (as they will have income, and work experience), and that I'll still be at university, doing essays and exams. Saying that, it is only for a year, and I can only imagine how quickly that will pass. I just think to myself sometimes "Do I really want to go back into education?" "I'd be better just getting a job and experience".... but then I think about how useful the masters degree will be for me to have.

On the other hand, I feel so fortunate that I can afford a masters degree (only just!), and so pleased that I have been accepted into a course to further my education. The sense of achievement I will feel after getting my masters degree will be amazing, and that it can hopefully help me with my job prospects (as it's an area I want to go into), where I can show how the masters has helped me develop.

I just can't believe I'm the same girl who wanted to leave school at sixteen... and look at me now, going on to pursue masters degree! I don't know... sometimes I'm really excited about the prospect, and other times I really do question my decision. A year out really isn't an option for me, as I don't think I'd go back to education otherwise.

Is anyone else feeling like this at the moment? Or can give me any advice?

I am so glad I'm not alone.

I'm 21 as well, just finished a degree at University of Sussex and I start a PhD in September at University of Southampton and I am incredibly nervous about it.

Because I'm a PhD student I don't get accom so I have to find my own-- so I really don't know how to even go about getting a house share or anything like that. I'm really worried I'll move in to a house and not get on with anyone, or because they already know each other they won't really need to get to know me.

Southampton as a city isn't too daunting; I've visited it a few times... But I don't even know what it's like as a student city. And I think I've been spoilt in Brighton so I won't like Southampton in comparison

And obviously I'm wondering whether carrying on is the right option too.

But if you're feeling it-- I guess it must be a postgrad worry that we all get before we start. It's slightly more reassuring to know I'm not alone.

[nonswimmer]

In terms of social life - at 21 you are still really young. You will find that postgrads are just as fun, irresponsible, drunk, flirtatious, and sociable as they were four months ago when they were undergrads.

As for academic performance, it is probably your apprehension that drives you and makes you perform. Otherwise you wouldn't enjoy the sweet taste of success, and you wouldn't be looking for more in an MA. So use it, but don't let it take over your life.

A note of caution on postgraduates: they can be among the dullest most work-obsessed people in the world. Try to make some non-postgrad friends, eg in employment or (through societies) undergrads. You won't be a pariah to either group, and seriously, sometimes you will want to talk about something other than someone else's thesis.

Good luck.

[Cyco]

(Original post by Nattatouille)
I am so glad I'm not alone.

I'm 21 as well, just finished a degree at University of Sussex and I start a PhD in September at University of Southampton and I am incredibly nervous about it.

Because I'm a PhD student I don't get accom so I have to find my own-- so I really don't know how to even go about getting a house share or anything like that. I'm really worried I'll move in to a house and not get on with anyone, or because they already know each other they won't really need to get to know me.

Southampton as a city isn't too daunting; I've visited it a few times... But I don't even know what it's like as a student city. And I think I've been spoilt in Brighton so I won't like Southampton in comparison

And obviously I'm wondering whether carrying on is the right option too.

But if you're feeling it-- I guess it must be a postgrad worry that we all get before we start. It's slightly more reassuring to know I'm not alone.

Don't worry - everyone feels it. It's supposed to feel just like starting your UG degree, all over again. It'll be the same for each new job, or neighbourhood you move to - change is something that most people have to learn to live with, but it's a great thing!

[HelenaS88]

I'm in the same boat, only I'm going back after three years in the 'real world of work'. It is a confusing combination of being daunting and amazingly exciting!

[Nattatouille]

(Original post by nonswimmer)
In terms of social life - at 21 you are still really young. You will find that postgrads are just as fun, irresponsible, drunk, flirtatious, and sociable as they were four months ago when they were undergrads.

As for academic performance, it is probably your apprehension that drives you and makes you perform. Otherwise you wouldn't enjoy the sweet taste of success, and you wouldn't be looking for more in an MA. So use it, but don't let it take over your life.

A note of caution on postgraduates: they can be among the dullest most work-obsessed people in the world. Try to make some non-postgrad friends, eg in employment or (through societies) undergrads. You won't be a pariah to either group, and seriously, sometimes you will want to talk about something other than someone else's thesis.

Good luck.

Personally that sounds like what I went through when we were doing our dissertations. Science students are the worst