Feelings before starting Grad School

Starting a Msc in Chemistry on Monday! And valuing the friends I have

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

I met my friend for coffee today and a big topic of conversation was uni starting next week! My friend is starting postgrad studies in science this year just like me. And so my friendship with her will be really valuable this year.

We are both freaking just a little. Postgrad will be different to undergrad. Harder, busier and I’m guessing it will be more rewarding. And that’s why I’m glad to have a friend right there studying alongside me. She is my post-grad friend.

Whenever I need to chat about uni she’s my go to. If I’m having difficulties in my degree I ask her for advice. When its exams I’ll message her Good Luck! and when we do well in uni we can celebrate together.

Its amazing to have someone who supports me and understands what I’m going through. We can share goals and be each others cheerleaders. I don’t know anyone else who has recently done graduate study so I am grateful to have just one person.

Recently I realized the value in having specific friends for different parts of life. One friend being your go to for that part of life. For example having a “post grad friend” or a “healthy life friend” or an “adventure friend”. The one person that when you do something in the category or need advice or get inspired, they are your go to. Its great to connect with likeminded people who have similar views and are in similar situations to you. I think I need more of that in my life.

Today at coffee we chatted for a while about this semester’s plans and ambitions. I want to keep that going throughout the semester because it felt great chatting her about uni. I’m sure she will appreciate weekly catch ups too.

This year uni will be different. Not only cause its post grad but also cause I’m going to a new uni. New people, new professors and a new system of doing things. I’ll also be studying a number of subjects I have never studied before at a post grad level which is concerning. It will be a big challenge. But I’m sure I’ll be fine.

And there’s always that deep down feeling of is this worth it? Postgraduate study isn’t necessary to have a career in science and so there’s a tiny bit of doubt going into it. I want my extra time and money in uni to be worthwhile. I know I want to learn more and I am excited to study which makes it feel like the right decision.

This also raises the stakes. I feel like I need to do well. If I don’t I will be disappointed. But I shouldn’t be. Learning is all a journey. It doesn’t matter how fast you get there or how you get there. Just that you get to the right destination when you are supposed to and value the time you spent getting there.

And so I am going into my post grad study with this mindset:

• Study is important so choose it over most things and dedicate time to it

• Health and relationships are equally important: exercise daily, see friends and take care of your emotional health. Equally, keep doing the things you love! have hobbies and have fun.

• You love your study field don’t let the stress and heaviness of study make you forget that

• Curiosity is a big part of learning. Ask questions, and investigate topics that interest you

• Sign off from study when necessary - study can be a mental game - there’s no need to stress when you can’t do anything about it

• Put in the work - study requires hard work over a long period of time (not just last minute cramming)

• Collaborate don’t compare - study is not a competition is a shared journey. Study together, share ideas with classmates, and get help when needed.

• There’s a time for everything - if you plan it. Schedule study time after lectures, make sure there’s time for lunch, allocate breaks and winddown time.

To anyone starting uni next week or anyone in the middle of postgrad study: Good Luck - I know you will be fabulous!

~ Jess xx