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Posted Aug. 16, 2013
Will Studying a Masters Make You Lonely?
If you choose to do a masters degree, you have be committed to your work – if not, you will find you don't have much in common with the other students on your course! Most Masters degrees work around independent learning and require you to spend an average of 30-40 hours each week studying. Because of this, the commonest postgraduate problems come down to time-management.
Overworked?
The heavy workload can deter many students from considering doing a Masters degree, as they fear they will become isolated. At the other extreme, some Masters students overwork themselves, either through extensive study or having to undertake paid work to fund their course. It is important to ensure you put in the hours, but there are ways to do this while making sure you still see the pub once in a while!
One of the best approaches is to think of your Masters degree as a full time job...but an enjoyable one! Schedule your academic workload each week so you can identify when you have free time to socialise. The great thing about Masters study is the flexibility; you can factor in what working conditions are best for you, whether you work better in the mornings or evenings. Aim to stick to this schedule so that you know when you can meet friends, commit to a part time job or do extracurricular activities. If you're spending the day in the library, arrange to meet someone for lunch or a coffee. Short breaks will feel like a reward and help you focus better. More advice on organising your days can be found here .
Socialising A part time job is also useful for helping you switch off from your studies, earn money and meet people outside of university. However, most universities recommend that you only work a maximum of 10 hours per week while studying for a full time Masters. If you need to work more, look into whether you can take your course as a part time option over two years. A common postgraduate problem is when a student forces themselves to undertake too many hours. The more hours you spend working in your free time, the less you can spend socialising.
Another excellent way to keep involved is by joining university societies, or having hobbies outside your course. Societies mix study and pleasure by arranging specialist seminars, reading groups, socials, and even days out. You'll be surprised how much you have in common with each other rather than just what you're studying! If there is a small group of you with similar interests, such as playing a sport, watching films or going to a pub quiz, why not make a weekly date to get together? This will become a fixture in your diary and enable you to plan your workload to enjoy these meet-ups.
Having time for a love life is another common postgraduate problem, but, believe it or not, it is possible to maintain a healthy relationship while studying for your Masters! You might not be able to see each other every night, but be realistic and identify the times you can. Discuss these with your partner and make sure they understand your academic commitments.
Take Time Out!
Above all, it's important to remember to take time out from your studies, but also that you don't have to say yes to everything. You may only be able to spare a few evenings a week, but allowing yourself opportunities to meet up with friends is just as important as what you get out of your research. Speaking to others about your work will help focus your learning and allow you to better understand the people in your field. It is possible to overcome the common postgraduate problems of feeling snowed under and lonely by simply planning your time, ensuring you can achieve your deadlines and enjoy being a student. For more advice on student well-being, check out our webpage .
Related articles
Overworked?
The heavy workload can deter many students from considering doing a Masters degree, as they fear they will become isolated. At the other extreme, some Masters students overwork themselves, either through extensive study or having to undertake paid work to fund their course. It is important to ensure you put in the hours, but there are ways to do this while making sure you still see the pub once in a while!
One of the best approaches is to think of your Masters degree as a full time job...but an enjoyable one! Schedule your academic workload each week so you can identify when you have free time to socialise. The great thing about Masters study is the flexibility; you can factor in what working conditions are best for you, whether you work better in the mornings or evenings. Aim to stick to this schedule so that you know when you can meet friends, commit to a part time job or do extracurricular activities. If you're spending the day in the library, arrange to meet someone for lunch or a coffee. Short breaks will feel like a reward and help you focus better. More advice on organising your days can be found here .
Socialising A part time job is also useful for helping you switch off from your studies, earn money and meet people outside of university. However, most universities recommend that you only work a maximum of 10 hours per week while studying for a full time Masters. If you need to work more, look into whether you can take your course as a part time option over two years. A common postgraduate problem is when a student forces themselves to undertake too many hours. The more hours you spend working in your free time, the less you can spend socialising.
Another excellent way to keep involved is by joining university societies, or having hobbies outside your course. Societies mix study and pleasure by arranging specialist seminars, reading groups, socials, and even days out. You'll be surprised how much you have in common with each other rather than just what you're studying! If there is a small group of you with similar interests, such as playing a sport, watching films or going to a pub quiz, why not make a weekly date to get together? This will become a fixture in your diary and enable you to plan your workload to enjoy these meet-ups.
Having time for a love life is another common postgraduate problem, but, believe it or not, it is possible to maintain a healthy relationship while studying for your Masters! You might not be able to see each other every night, but be realistic and identify the times you can. Discuss these with your partner and make sure they understand your academic commitments.
Take Time Out!
Above all, it's important to remember to take time out from your studies, but also that you don't have to say yes to everything. You may only be able to spare a few evenings a week, but allowing yourself opportunities to meet up with friends is just as important as what you get out of your research. Speaking to others about your work will help focus your learning and allow you to better understand the people in your field. It is possible to overcome the common postgraduate problems of feeling snowed under and lonely by simply planning your time, ensuring you can achieve your deadlines and enjoy being a student. For more advice on student well-being, check out our webpage .
Related articles
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