{"id":6567,"date":"2024-01-17T09:30:44","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T09:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=6567"},"modified":"2024-01-17T11:00:10","modified_gmt":"2024-01-17T11:00:10","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-postgraduate-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2024\/01\/17\/how-to-prepare-for-postgraduate-study\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for Postgraduate Study"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ menu_id=”8″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” module_class=”main-navigation” background_layout=”dark” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

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\u2019s and make it less scary. Whether you\u2019re beginning PGT study straight from undergraduate graduation, or you\u2019re returning to study following a break\/career, I hope you find these tips useful.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plan ahead<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is common sense, but you\u2019ll 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\u2019s 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\u2019s beneficial to familiarise yourself with these resources and requirements before you begin studying.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy Welcome Week<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Attend as many activities as you can! There will be a lot offered during Welcome Week, from course-specific briefings to Students\u2019 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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask questions!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The University is there to help you! Whether you don\u2019t 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 <\/span>My Learning Essentials<\/span><\/a> 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\u2019t 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 <\/span>University\u2019s support system<\/span><\/a> is there for you if you need it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Familiarise yourself with campus<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 \u2018dummy run\u2019 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!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Written by Neve Meats, a\u00a0Library and Archive Studies MA students<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

Related<\/h1>\n\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Find Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n