To not go to these silly sessions?

[Clubtropicanadrinksare3]

I know this is really a first world problem but it’s driving me round the bend! I’ve (possibly unwisely) taken up a master’s course at the same uni I did my BA. I’ll confess, I already had a degree and I just fancied something to break up the boredom when covid struck. Did exceptionally well with an 81 average on the BA and uni offered me a massive discount to do the MA so I went along with it.
I must confess, that while I worked my arse off on the submissions my attendance on site was almost zero. I had good reasons and they didn’t care because I submitted quality stuff on time anyway. the whole experience was enjoyable.
The MA, however has been awful so far, they insist on 100% attendance and are aggressively rigid. I wouldn’t mind, but the sessions are largely pointless, we’ve been taken to a library to be shown how to find and research from books? We’re being given instructions on how to do a presentation? Literally all course content is online and perfectly accessible. So each time I endure a 3.5 hr round commute and get home too late to see my kids and then feel too knackered the next day to to keep on top of my housework before I start work at lunchtime, it’s really not working out like I’d hoped and I can honestly say I’ve learned exactly nothing new so far. It’s 12 hrs a week wasted being crushed on a packed tube train for zero new knowledge or skills. The assessments are all printed up and honestly I’ve already written up for spring 70% of this stuff ready to submit. It’s the ‘introduction’ of basic shit I’ve already used in work or on other subject degrees. I’m a grumpy Bitch and an introvert so the whole meeting people and networking thing is wasted on me too. Will they chuck me off the course if I skip some of these silly sessions? Save myself a small fortune in travel and actually use the time to get on with the projects and work?

I’m sure that some of it is a bit annoying but I always say that you never know, you might find a golden nugget you didn’t know before.

honestly, your attitude reeks of “I’m too good for this”

What does it say in the course handbook about attendance? Or any other documents about the MA?

You could ask someone in administration, so your lecturers are unaware.

@CostelloJones Is it not bizarre that a master’s course is asking people to practice using a library? Would you not feel somewhat put out to travel for hours to do that?

I expect you’re feeling ill or have emergency child care crisis when the next sessions are happening. They won’t chuck you off. They want students to finish their courses and pay their bills.

It says attendance is compulsory. It said that about the BA too though and lots of us were fairly sporadic with attendance. I’m cross with myself because I had an offer of an online version of the MA from what’s probably a better uni too. I was just thinking of the discount when I signed up.
it only a few months I guess but I have health issues and a complex home life and disabled child so it’s using up valuable time and energy which is why I’m bitter about the shit content of the course.

Who is your point of contact? One of the tutors? Could you talk this over with them or with your student support member/team?

Hello @Clubtropicanadrinksare3

My DS has recently started his Masters at a different uni to the one he went to for his BA, but his experience started off the same way as yours. He's also supporting himself with an intense part-time job as he's often asked to work more hours.

He said the first few sessions were clearly aimed at those who had a long gap between their undergrad degree and Masters; there was even a session on how to use a printer! There was also going to be a library tour.

My DS had a word with his tutor and has got permission to skip these sessions. He only needs to attend lectures and seminars. Even then there is some flexibility, due to him already covering some of the content in his BA. His tutor is happy to do any 1-2-1's either in person or over Zoom (or whatever it’s called, I think the Uni has its own remote system).

Maybe have a word with your tutor to see what flexibility is possible?

Good luck with your studies!

I train/refresh people every day on something that people think is quite straightforward. I would say about 95% of people come in thinking they don’t need to be there and nearly all of them at some point say something like “I didn’t know that”

So do they genuinely only get paid if we stay on the course? In which case I expect I’ve more power here than I imagine. I guess I’m ill now till reading week then. Thanks :)

OP I'm doing a BSc in London, commuting too, and in the exact same position. It is absolutely infuriating when they schedule compulsory classes last minute as if I don't have anything better to do. 3 hour round trip for me too.

I just think that you shouldn’t write the whole thing off as useless or terrible purely because it’s not convenient for you, when others may be getting things from it

Do you have an academic advisor/tutor or course leader that you could speak to and explain your health issues/disabled child and ask for accommodations (i.e. only attending certain sessions).
Also, I imagine the introductory sessions like ‘how to use a library’ will probably only be for the first part of term one so hopefully there will be fewer of them going forward. I always hated sessions like that because I’d done a degree before but didn’t mind the actual lectures and seminars covering the course content (they’re usually more in depth than the slides that get uploaded).

@goldierocks thanks! This is most helpful.

@cocunut yep! Last week I was verbally attacked on arriving at a ‘lesson’ for not showing up to an evening event which we’d had almost no notice for! I haven’t been out for dinner or a drink for 6 bloody years haven’t seen a single friend in person for more than 2 years, not all of us have a village or can afford nannies 😂and I don’t need to network right now, I just need the bloody certificate so I can get the PhD funding I’m after. I wouldn’t mind but I was clear about that too. I’m sorry you’re having the same issue. Hopefully it improves after Xmas break.

Universities don't understand mature students have other commitments such as having to work to survive. Their motto is attendance = good grades, which is further from the truth for me. I managed to get a First Class degree whilst working part time and studying in my own time. I used lectures, seminar slides and researched; was thoroughly committed to getting my degree. Now, I work in a retail company with a team of 6 (male dominated industry).

We are adults if I get a 50/60/70 or that's my problem, I need to deal with it accordingly.

They won't kick you off the course, they want your money. International students have to have good attendance to comply with their visa. If you're British, do what you want...

@anonymousxoxo
I think we perhaps are similar! I also got firsts studying on my own. I’m great at research and enjoyed writing my dissertation. I wish I could do the whole masters from home.
Thanks enormously for the tip of re attendance. I’m going to skip a few of the really daft things now.

It’s just silly really, we are grown women - not in primary school. Same, I got 78% in my dissertation which I’m quite proud of. Big part of university is researching and not being spoon fed, I found lectures pointless. They just read off the slide. Same with seminars. It was literally death by PowerPoint! I’d much prefer it being online then I can wfh also.. I’m home 3-4 days a week usually.

Yes I would agree that it sounds like the sessions are introductory ones at this stage. Ask when the teaching begins.