How do I get through my MSc?

For a bit of context, I’m a mature student with a 4yr old and I’m also pregnant. I came top of my undergraduate class last year. I had offers from several unis for postgraduate courses but had to turn them down because I didn’t have the funds to pay over the SAAS funding. I ended up getting a place on a course I have a lot of interest in - Gender Studies. It wasn’t at a uni I wanted purely for practical/logistical reasons but I’m determined to do a PhD after my postgraduate so went for it.

I haven’t been able to get on with the course and it’s getting me down. Between strike action, long commutes which I just haven’t been able to always do, childcare issues etc I’ve barely attended. I do try and keep up with lectures remotely and have discussed this with my lecturers. My grades are alright, around 65+ per assignment on average. But I’m finding it so difficult to find the motivation to get stuck in to the course and connect with the content. It’s very focused on film and television (I could get behind literature/books quite happily). I love gender studies, learning the theory, doing qualitative research, speaking with people, and love learning about feminism, gender roles, motherhood etc. but I can’t seem to click with this course. I’m getting behind, finding it hard to find the motivation to do assignments or anything and I’m also obviously struggling with pregnancy symptoms!

Anyway I’m not sure what the point of this post is, I’m just having a wobble and not sure what to do with it all. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point and doing my PhD was always the dream but right now it all feels so far away. 😞

Does anyone have any advice please?

Reply 1

user2456532

11

It can definitely be hard having so much to deal with at once. You were top of your class so you clearly have the academic ability. You just need to get through this year, and hopefully if you do a PhD you will be able to research with books and stuff the way you want. You only have half a year left so don't give up!

Reply 2

Keele Rep

Official Rep

12

Original post

by Kjsim

For a bit of context, I’m a mature student with a 4yr old and I’m also pregnant. I came top of my undergraduate class last year. I had offers from several unis for postgraduate courses but had to turn them down because I didn’t have the funds to pay over the SAAS funding. I ended up getting a place on a course I have a lot of interest in - Gender Studies. It wasn’t at a uni I wanted purely for practical/logistical reasons but I’m determined to do a PhD after my postgraduate so went for it.

I haven’t been able to get on with the course and it’s getting me down. Between strike action, long commutes which I just haven’t been able to always do, childcare issues etc I’ve barely attended. I do try and keep up with lectures remotely and have discussed this with my lecturers. My grades are alright, around 65+ per assignment on average. But I’m finding it so difficult to find the motivation to get stuck in to the course and connect with the content. It’s very focused on film and television (I could get behind literature/books quite happily). I love gender studies, learning the theory, doing qualitative research, speaking with people, and love learning about feminism, gender roles, motherhood etc. but I can’t seem to click with this course. I’m getting behind, finding it hard to find the motivation to do assignments or anything and I’m also obviously struggling with pregnancy symptoms!

Anyway I’m not sure what the point of this post is, I’m just having a wobble and not sure what to do with it all. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point and doing my PhD was always the dream but right now it all feels so far away. 😞

Does anyone have any advice please?

Firstly, that is a LOT to be dealing with so know that it is totally okay and understandable to be feeling the way you do.

You are juggling several roles right now, dealing with the physical and emotional stressors that can come with pregnancy, plus dealing with the day-to-day stuff (childcare issues, illness, stress, commuting, strike action etc.). In those circumstances, it is totally natural that you might not be 100% engaged and motivated all of the time!

It sounds as if you've already reached out to your course tutors to explain some of your absences but have you reached out to ask them for support? Struggling with motivation is a natural part of studying and Masters courses are very intense, so it's natural to have ebbs and flows in your engagement. But if you've been in a motivational slump for a while, I would reach out to your course tutors, peers, and student support services to see what they can do to help you.

It's easy to become isolated if you're working from home a lot. Whilst watching a recorded lecture will allow you to keep up with course content, you're not getting any of the sociable or collaborative aspects of your programme and that can have an impact on motivation and engagement. Whilst issues preventing your attendance can't always be helped, there may be ways of partially remedying this through video/phone tutorials or check-ins with tutors, online catch ups/study sessions with peers etc. And your tutors might also be able to suggest ways of engaging with your course material through your preferred mediums and methods.

It's also worth reaching out to Student Services/Student Support. Most universities offer additional support services for student parents, such as assistance with accessing financial support, additional personal support, peer support groups (where you can meet other student parents), or even assistance with childcare and childcare costs. They can also talk to you about options for taking maternity leave (i.e., a leave of absence), if you feel that's needed.

You clearly have a great deal of academic potential and a determination to succeed. Both of these will stand you in good stead should you choose to move onto a PhD programme! You've already done a lot of very positive things by yourself but remember that you don't have to undertake this programme of study on your own. It's okay to reach out for support and assistance from your peers, your tutors, and your university more widely.

Hope that helps!

Amy Louise
PhD Candidate & Student Ambassador, Keele University

How do I get through my MSc?

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