Applying for MA, feel completely out of my depth

[SunshineSour]

I need to do a masters to further my career and I‘m currently working on my personal statement. (A bachelor would have been acceptable, but there are none via distance learning in my field).

At school I was a straight A student. I have completed a BSc and was awarded a 2:1. I was always very academic and found studying very easy.

However, since graduating (in 2008!!) life took a number of twists and turns. I worked in pubs and bars. I moved abroad and worked as a cleaner and waitress.

Since 2022 I‘ve had a ‘professional’ job (sorry can’t think of a way to word that better. Hence why I need to study to become qualified.

I’m starting to doubt that I can actually do this. I’m staring at my computer screen trying to write my personal statement and my mind is blank. I can’t concentrate. I don’t have much knowledge of my subject area and feel completely unqualified and out of my depth. I have two primary school aged kids and generally feel exhausted.

If I can’t write a personal statement, how am I supposed to complete a Masters degree??

Any words of wisdom gratefully received.

@SunshineSour do please have a look at the Mature Study and Retraining board - you’ll find so many threads by people going through exactly this:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

(And many of us graduated in past centuries! I took an MA course at a specialist institution in my 50s - in a subject with absolutely no connection to my first degree or previous professional career. I recall completing my personal statement about two hours before the application deadline.)

@Edmontine Thank you so much!

It’s a pleasure. That board really was started exactly for you.

Personal statements are one of the hardest things of all. I would rather give 10 technical presentations than a single "all about me" one.

Honestly it's a tough task and in no way reflects how you will get on with the study. Good luck with it.