Student Life
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A guide to postgraduate student living

15th February 2024
Last updated 28th January 2025
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Embarking on a postgraduate course can be both a challenging and rewarding prospect. You'll undoubtedly experience a range of emotions and have many questions as you start, and continue, on this new chapter. Whether you're planning on taking the leap or are already studying at postgraduate level, the need-to-know advice we've shared below should hopefully put any worries at ease and help you make the most of your continued time at university.

Whether you're planning on taking the leap or are already studying at postgraduate level, the need-to-know advice we've shared below should hopefully put any worries at ease and help you make the most of your continued time at university.

You've got this: don't feel daunted

It can be intimidating to start another university course. For those taking on a new subject, it can be easy to doubt whether you're equipped enough to take on a new area of study. The greater responsibility for leading your own development and increased focus on self-directed learning may also have you wondering if you've bitten off more than you can chew.

Imposter syndrome begone! Remember that you earned your place, so you are more than capable - and try to remind yourself of what it is you wanted to ultimately get out of this, both in terms of personal and professional aspirations. However, if you ever do feel overwhelmed with the subject matter, remember that academic support is available: don't be afraid to reach out if you need to. You got this 💪

Embrace the challenge. Postgraduate study isn't meant to be a breeze, so be kind to yourself if you're not immediately performing at the level you expected. It's important to acknowledge that you don't have to be perfect, and placing unrealistic expectations on your academic performance can quickly leave you under an immense level of stress. Feel like you're struggling? Read on 👇

Use all of the resources available to you

Ask for help when you need it. Utilise your professors by visiting them during office hours to discuss any questions or feedback on your work. The nature of postgraduate study means your professors are more like your peers, but that doesn't mean they won't be available to support you should you need it.

Take stock of all the resources you have to hand. You'll likely be spending even more time in the university library than you did during your undergraduate course, making use of texts stored both physically and digitally. Your home environment is also conducive to effective studying and personal wellbeing. Try to carve out your own personal space where you can hit the books or relax and unwind, or if you live in student accommodation that features dedicated study spaces then definitely make the most of these.

Good organisation is essential

Managing your time and workload is also integral to getting the results you want from your postgraduate course. You may have already developed great organisation habits from your undergrad days, but if it's something you are yet to truly master (pun intended) then approaching your PG studies by way of meticulous planning is a surefire way to keep on top of your workload and overarching goals.

Stick to a calendar and block out each week, or even day as you're approaching your final deadline. Employ tried-and-tested techniques for satisfying study sessions: note-taking, colour-coded sticky notes, highlighting, etc. Just because you're a postgraduate student now doesn't mean the simple things stop being effective. And planning also means allowing yourself time to decompress, which brings us to...

Work-life balance is key

Sometimes it's easy to get carried away and work for hours without leaving yourself enough (or any) free time. A work-life balance is essential to avoid burn out, so ensure that you are taking regular breaks to recharge.

When structuring your study time, make sure to fit fun, relaxation, and time with loved ones into your schedule. Block out time for a proper lunch hour and try to set 'office hours' so you do not engage in work for dedicated periods of the day.

One great way to ensure you're regularly spending time with others is to join a student society. They are a fantastic way to connect with like-minded peers, especially if you've moved to a new university for your postgraduate studies, or to engage with a neglected hobby to strike that balance between work and play. Whatever interests you, remember university is not only about challenging yourself academically, it is also an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and develop new skills and interests - and that doesn't change once you've completed your undergraduate degree.

Looking ahead to postgraduate study, or are you a current postgraduate student with an extended course or aspirations to do your PhD? Take a look at our Student Roost properties and locations for some inspiration on where to live during your postgraduate journey.

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