Beginning postgraduate taught (PGT) study is exciting; it provides an opportunity for you to dive deeper into the subject which interests you, and allows you to not only gain insights into the field, but also develop transferable skills. Nonetheless, taking that step to begin PGT study can be daunting, so here are some tips to help you prepare for beginning your Master’s and make it less scary. Whether you’re beginning PGT study straight from undergraduate graduation, or you’re returning to study following a break/career, I hope you find these tips useful. 

Plan ahead 

This is common sense, but you’ll likely have a lot on your plate before beginning your degree, and there may be some preparation elements which you overlook. Once the key areas such as accommodation and funding have been sorted, there are course-related practicalities to consider. It’s vital to have an understanding of your course syllabus and structure. For example, what are your coursework projects like? Do you understand the marking/grading system? Have you read the course handbook? All of these materials should be shared with you during induction, and it’s beneficial to familiarise yourself with these resources and requirements before you begin studying. 

Enjoy Welcome Week 

Attend as many activities as you can! There will be a lot offered during Welcome Week, from course-specific briefings to Students’ Union (SU) events. Subject-specific sessions will be particularly useful for grounding you in the syllabus of your course and outlining the workload, schedule and requirements you must adhere to. There will also be school- and university-wide events, plus events tailored to specific demographics, for example international, commuter and mature students. The majority of Welcome Week events are informal and sociable, and they offer excellent opportunities to meet fellow students from your course and beyond, in a relaxed way.  

Ask questions! 

The University is there to help you! Whether you don’t know where to start to get back into studying after a break, or struggling with all the changes it entails, there is University support for you. The My Learning Essentials page is a useful toolbox of advice which introduces you to everything from making use of library resources to referencing, writing literature reviews to drop-in support. If you have questions for current students about anything from your course to university life, the UniBuddy chat box appears on course pages, allowing you to message current students any questions. Keep an eye on university social media channels too, as the official university and SU accounts often have student takeovers or Q&As on their stories, so you might find these useful. Don’t forget to look after your mental health too, think of joining societies or clubs which interest you and provide downtime during your studies, and remember that the University’s support system is there for you if you need it. 

Familiarise yourself with campus 

I found that my biggest worry was finding the buildings and rooms for my classes; I hate the feeling of being lost! As soon as I received my timetable, I did a ‘dummy run’ of classes, finding the location for my classes and working out the timings and routes between each one. I also scouted out cafes that would be good to study in near my classes. Linking back to my earlier tip, attending Welcome Week activities can also help you familiarise yourself with campus more generally and find good study spots! 

Taking these steps to prepare yourself for PGT study should help make your transition from pre-study to student as smooth as possible, and help you enjoy this exciting time by avoiding unnecessary stresses. Remember that mental, physical and practical support and guidance is always available to you, if in doubt, ask for help.  

Written by Neve Meats, a Library and Archive Studies MA students

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