5 Tips on Mastering the Transition from Undergraduate to Postgraduate Study

Hey guys! It’s Jackson and I am currently a postgraduate student studying E-Business (E-Marketing) at Newcastle University. I have listed my five tips on managing the transitions from undergraduate to Master’s study. Hope my thoughts and experiences will help.

1. Less Instruction and More Independent Working

In this Master’s course, you will basically spend most of your time reading module-related materials such as textbooks, journals, and articles. You will often need to digest the information yourself and look more into areas you are not familiar with before the lecture and seminar start. There won’t be a teacher standing all the time on the podium and supervising and passing knowledge to you. I would say that the typical mindset in the postgraduate study is to take responsibility for your independent work. Module leaders are serving as your guides and mentors for illumination and inspirations.

I come from a Communications background, so the E-Business program is relatively new to me. I have to learn actively to fill the gaps. Moreover, as an international student, I have to spend tons of time reading and searching for information to adjust to university’s life abroad, trying to understand lots of business and technology jargon and terminologies. It is undoubtedly a challenging but rewarding experience when diving into an unknown field for the first time. But rest assured, lecturers and professors’ support are always there if you need and easy to approach through discussion boards or emails.

2. Be Bold at Asking Questions

Well, this is actually the part I am still working on as well. As most of your time will be spent on independent study, you will probably develop many questions and doubts about this new knowledge area. At this moment, seeking help from professors or classmates is always something you can do.

I always remember that our Degree Program Director continually encourages us to speak out, share our thoughts, and put our questions under the spotlight. Even you think your question is funny, odd, or even wrong, that’s totally fine. Asking stupid questions is never the case while learning. In your Master’s journey, bear in mind that this is a safe environment which allows you to make mistakes.

3. Time Management Skill Really Matters

Unlike undergraduates who have lots of time balancing their studies, work, and social life, Master’s students usually finish their programmes in one year (here in the UK). In that case, time management skill is vital. More independent study means having a more flexible schedule. If planned wisely, you will indeed have more spare time.

This skill is especially critical during the pandemic when online learning and working from home is the new normal right now. It is suggested that we all work on a regular 9 to 5 basis as we would do on normal days. I definitely recommend using a to-do list app to manage your workload and calendars to keep an eye on your schedule and deadlines. Remember, in order to have the best performance between life and study, always give yourself some break time to decompress and reload such as exercising, playing video games, or watching TV shows.

Based on my own experiences, writing down a physical to-do list on a notebook for the next day before going to bed helps clear your mind and ease the worry if there are many deadlines ahead.

4. Drain Every Resource You Can from the Programme/University

Though as dramatic and a bit exaggerated as this sounds, it’s absolutely something to keep in your mind. Rather than a little spent, doing a Master’s is a massive investment in yourself. It’s essential to ensure that every resource is deployed while you are at university to help you in your studies, career, and future life. Do your best at utilizing career services, language and writing support, research databases, and meetings with tutors to reach your goals. We are also provided with one-year LinkedIn Learning membership which I especially enjoy. I am using the platform as a supplement tool to learn many other skills that would help build my future career path. Some modules may even provide you with popular software licenses like Adobe Creative Cloud for the entire academic year. To be a well-equipped student at Newcastle University is one thing, but learning how to utilise all of the resources well is totally another story.

5. Constantly Planning Ahead

I am glad that I have always kept in mind constantly thinking about what to do after acquiring my Master’s degree. Or to put it in another way, I frequently imagine where I will be 5 to 10 years from now. Since this is a short program, every step taken in the Master’s study should be target-oriented. Unlike undergraduate study, you don’t have all day to enjoy the college life, hanging around with flatmates, or browsing any field of study that you might be interested in. Instead, you should focus on what triggers and inspires you the most and connect that with your learning modules. Personally, I am planning to work in a marketing agency or technology company for 3–5 years right after graduation and then start my own business afterwards. Therefore, I begin by searching for essential hard and soft skills for those companies’ entry positions and master them at the beginning of the semester. In addition to planning ahead, reflecting on your objectives and approaches is also crucial for keeping on track and achieving your goals.

Alright then, here’s the end of this blog. I hope the 5 tips mentioned above would help. See you!