Issue 2, april 2019
STUDENT LIFE | pg14
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
What’s your STUDENT LIFE | Advice from students and alumni on what to do now that your exams and deadlines are over, and how to prepare for what’s coming next. Introduction by NATALIE ROSE Finally, it’s gotten to that time
Postgraduate study AARON FENTON-HEWITT, MA STUDENT I remember when I handed in my
how yours might play out.
Personally, I chose to go into further
final piece of coursework. The reality study because I wanted to specialise that I had officially finished university in an area of my chosen industry that
of year again – summer. Deadlines
But remember, the summer is for
and exams are over, and we can all
fun too. These decisions don’t have
start to breathe properly again. My
to be difficult, and you can just as
caffeine levels have gone down, my
easily think about them while lying
sleeping hours have increased, and
by a pool somewhere or on a beach,
I have finally been able to clear all
or in a park with your friends.
No more coursework. No more all- Whenever I would work with a group,
those books and notepads out of the
Spend the next few months relaxing
nighters, with coffee to keep you writing would be my area of expertise.
way. No longer do I wake up with
and coming to terms with whatever
awake.
stress sweats.
decisions you make. Be happy and
It’s over. Finished. Now is the and above for all my written work,
But this isn’t where it all ends,
sure of yourself. Get physically and
time where you simply wait for your including my dissertation (I was 2%
and for most of us, end of exams
mentally prepared to take the next
only means more decisions to
step in your life.
didn’t hit me until I woke up on I was good at and that I genuinely Tuesday morning to go to class as enjoyed. normal, and then I remembered: there
I did my undergraduate degree in
was no class. No more 10am starts Film, and during that time I found that and 5pm finishes. No more deadlines. writing was by far my strongest asset.
I was consistently averaging a 2:1
results, celebrate with your family and off a first!). walk across that stage dressed in your
Knowing this, I figured that I wanted
graduation gown. But, after all that, to be an all-round writer; somebody
make. It’s okay to spend the next
If you do want to check out your
month scrolling through AirBnB
options, My UniHub has a whole
and planning holidays. But soon
load of information for you to
enough, the real world will start to
shift through. Just log on and start
loom again, and it’s always better to
clicking through the links and you
available. Some decide to go into novels and writing for theatre.
be prepared.
should find what you’re looking for.
postgraduate study, like me.
I know, trying to think about these
Under the Support & Wellbeing tab,
big decisions can be scary. The
you can even book an appointment
hardest part for most is figuring out
with a number of different advisors
where to start. So I have gathered
at the University who can help by
here for you a few words of advice
explaining your options and talking
from some students and alumni here
out your situation.
and all the celebrations, festivities and who was a jack of all trades. I was family dinners are over, what happens mainly writing film scripts and nonnext?
fiction reports, but I wanted to expand
Well, there are many options into other areas such as short stories, By the third year, I knew this was
Statistics have shown that those what I wanted to do and I applied for with a postgraduate qualification can postgraduate study here at Middlesex, command a salary up to 18% more where I am currently studying MA than those with a Bachelor’s degree Writing for Creative and Professional only. It does wonders for your CV; Practice. I was offered a place on the I talk from experience and I haven’t course within a month of applying, even finished the course!
with
my
academic
tutor
being
Let the following advice guide
Postgraduate study usually allows especially impressed with my literary
Hopefully their tried and tested
you peacefully on your decision-
you to focus on an area that you potential. The rest is history, as they
advice will help guide you with
making journey this summer. But
would like to specialise in. For me, say.
some
this
don’t forget to relax, de-stress and
it was creative writing. For you, it
summer. Each one of them speaks
get yourself all back to fit, fighting
could be computer science, public study if you’d like to specialise in
from experience, and hearing their
health, ready for the exciting year
stories can help to better imagine
of new things ahead!
at Middlesex University.
of
your
decisions
I’d highly recommend postgraduate
health or midwifery. Middlesex offers your chosen field. It will kickstart your all of these courses and more; the career in a way that a sole Bachelor’s possibilities are endless!
degree simply cannot.
