It’s the second term of your postgrad and, chances are, it’s not going exactly to plan. The workload is a big step up from undergraduate level, Christmas has eaten much of your career development loan and perhaps you’re not even feeling particularly employable. It’s a cold, dark and stressful time to be a postgraduate student.
Research suggests university students feel more lethargic and depressed during what has been dubbed the “second term blues”. Postgraduate students in particular, may feel they are expected to be “master and commander of all aspects of their lives” and tend to try to manage problems by themselves, says Dan Doran, mental health coordinator at Loughborough University and secretary of the University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN).
Research students, on the cutting edge of academia and adapting to a less structured style of study, often feel they have to be self-sufficient but may not be able to cope. “Meanwhile, master’s students are usually only going to be there for about a year, so they need to get the circumstances right to support their education as soon as possible,” says Doran.
Universities should rethink the burden of expectation placed on postgraduate students, he says – but what can students themselves do to handle stress in their second term?
Workload
Postgraduate students are very quickly assessed at a higher level than at undergraduate level – a daunting prospect, but manageable with good working patterns. “The secret of doing research is doing everything else in your life,” says Gareth Hughes, of the University of Derby’s student support service. Try to get a consistent pattern of sleep, diet and exercise, especially if the degree is for the long haul.
“Don’t underestimate sunlight, especially at this time of year,” Hughes adds. “I see so many students not going out during the day, just moving between their home and the university library. It does have an impact.”
Students should also regularly review their progress. Hughes warns against the anxiety spiral – anxiety can persuade you to do things that make you more anxious, such as avoidance. “Students can sometimes go missing from their academics,” he says. “They don’t want to have a conversation about being behind. But if you’re slipping, that’s when you need to talk to your supervisor.”
Finances
Financial pressures – such as looming loan repayments or grants that require successful completion of a degree – can really pile up in a term as skint as it is cold.
But financial advice is not just for undergrads. Professor Sarah Hainsworth, head of the University of Leicester’s graduate school, says those facing financial difficulty should “seek advice from the welfare office of the university. Welfare officers are well versed in this issue and can offer invaluable tips and help to students. There may be a hardship fund that students can apply to.”
Career prospects
It’s a matter of months before some people are cast out into a job market saturated even for postgrad students. “For international students the picture is even more blurred, with issues such as the abolition of post-study work visas preventing them from getting hands-on experience,” says Dean Hristov, a doctoral researcher at Bournemouth University, who grew up in Bulgaria.
Your university’s careers service will be able to help, and Hristov also recommends taking on relevant extracurricular activities. He worked on projects for free during his master’s, and says unpaid work experience is a reality lots of students have to face.
Organisation, positivity and proactivity are also key to success. “Reflect on your progress so far, think of where you want to go and where you want to be in 12 months’ time,” he says. “If you plan your time and plan your future to some extent, you’re more likely to get your dream job.”
Mental health
Mental health issues are a growing problem among students. “It’s the perennial complaint of university counselling services that they’re swamped,” says Dr John Callender, a consultant psychiatrist and contributor to the Mental health of students in higher education report. But he says there should be sufficient range between university services and the NHS for those facing difficulties – and your GP can help if you’re unsure of where to go.
There is also support online, such as from Student Minds. Umhan’s Doran says too few postgraduate students declare mental health problems, even though universities can help with practical arrangements if they know someone is struggling.
“We would want to make sure that research and masters’ students are aware of their entitlements – what they can expect from their higher education,” says Doran. “The support that’s there for undergraduate students is also there for you. Don’t struggle in silence, or wait until things have gone really bad before seeking some help.”
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