Masters support/chat thread for anyone currently studying or about to start?

[MastersSupportThread]

I can't see a current one, does anyone fancy one?

I'm starting a p/t taught masters (STEM) in spring. I'm self funding via the postgrad loan from SFE. I'm 42, so expect to be at the more ancient end of the cohort and would like to chat to grown-ups in a similar boat.

Hello MST, I’m almost 40 and doing a midwifery masters which I’m lucky to have funded. I’m finding it very hard though. Enjoying the academic side though. Life is just a bit chaotic trying to do it all.

Hi @headstone . How far in are you? Are you on the post-grad pre-reg programme or one that specialises your existing practice? Being funded is great, my first degree was partially funded and it made such a difference!

I'm slightly worried about balancing the workload too. It's the main reason I went for the p/t version, to spread the modules out a bit.

I am on a nurse to midwife course which is 2 years and I have another 1.5 years left if I pass the first year. I have young children and I underestimated how hard it was going to be as its quite different to the type of nursing I was doing. There were a few of us doing this from our hospital and one has already gone back to nursing. This is my third university course, I love learning and age doesn’t matter. Have you got kids too?

Good luck ladies.

I am finishing my BSc in midwifery this summer so feel your pain @headstone!

Lots to learn!

This is also my third uni course (two BSc and this MSc), so I'm a fellow learning addict.

Good luck with your final year @UpUpUpU . Almost there 💪

Oh sorry, yes. I do have a child but she's old enough to fend mostly for herself, so no childcare or toddler-related issues.

I am doing a p/t masters in a STEM subject. We started at the end of January and the first assessment is due in a couple of weeks. I haven't done anything academic for 20 years (I'm 43) so I'm quite nervous.

I took a full time MA in an arts subject when I was more than a decade older than you, @MastersSupportThread! I’d be surprised if you’re the oldest in your cohort.

Mine was paid for with a Government Postgraduate Loan, too, plus a scholarship from the institution.

You sound better prepared than I was, as I hadn’t been in an academic setting for decades. I also found that several people on my very niche course already had a prior, less specialised Master’s degree - so knew what they were doing.

How are you getting on?

Hello 👋🏻

I'm back at college aged almost 50, to check if the brain still works. Am similar age to lecturers & have kids older than the other students.

I've been asked to interview for a taught masters starting in the autumn and am V nervous of the leap between the level / standards of learning.

Well done to you all for taking the leap, you're braver than me!

What are you studying, @ChocoChocoLatte - and what’s your ultimate goal? (If you have one.)

Hi @ChocoChocoLatte, @StrangeNew & @cwanne.

How are you getting on with that assignment @cwanne?

@StrangeNew, thank you for the encouragement . I'm also eligible for a partial academic scholarship (I have a First at undergrad), so hopefully will qualify for that but won't find out for a few weeks. I've not started yet, the course starts in May.

@ChocoChocoLatte, that's really exciting! If you've been invited to interview, it would suggest that tutors aren't concerned about you being able to keep up at Master's level. What academic field is it in?

I'm getting there! It was hard going at first. I had to think about the content, but also the formatting. I think I googled "how do I do .... in excel/powerpoint/word" every 5 minutes. But it's coming together. I no longer worry that I won't have anything to submit. Which is just as well as it's due on Thursday.

I'm the same with excel. Gahhhhhhh

@MastersSupportThread it's in the creative industries, having worked since I was 14yrs old, health issues have forced my hand and I've had to sell the business I spent 15yrs building up. Am now investing in myself in the hope of realising some forgotten dreams about being more creative!

Fingers crossed I might also manage to make some money from it as retirement isn't an option lol

I had a meeting with the course coordinator before I even applied as my degree is in a completely unrelated field and also >20yrs old........

He was exceptionally nice and very encouraging. I had to submit an application followed up with a portfolio so at least I know I'm being invited in on merit and not out of sympathy lol

Hiya! Can I join, I'm doing an MSc in a psychology type subject. I'm PT year one, self funded (paying monthly from my earnings in a job I'm neglecting!) but have had some bursary and fee waivers applied to my finance account which I should probably check with my uni that they're not a mistake.

I'm finding the work so interesting, I've got to grips with the systems. My first submission was a bit of a shit show, so my marks have varied over Sem1 from 58 to 74

At 39 I'm at the older end of my particular cohort and also believe home students are in the minority compared to internationals but I feel very accepted.

I've submitted!!

Wooohooo! Well done for getting it over the line @cwanne.

Hi @itchyhand. Of course you can join us, all welcome. My course is also likely to have a majority international students, it's largely a benefit as it's a field where global partnerships are key (health science related).

I hope your interview goes well @ChocoChocoLatte. It sounds very promising. Do you know the acceptance rate for the course?

@MastersSupportThread no, not really but the intake is about 20/25 pupils and he explained why they didn't accept some - he only gave two examples, very discreetly, and their circumstances are miles away from mile.

I've had an offer from the OU for a similar postgrad starting in Sept too so I really need to sit and look at both the courses very carefully.

Funding will be a huge consideration - the taught course has the possibility of a bursary, but you need to be offered a place before you can apply.......

It's all swings and roundabouts!