Amy and Luna joined IDS in 2022 to study MA Governance, Development & Public Policy. In this blog, they have shared their top five pieces of advice when it comes to dealing with the anxiety and pressure of being a master’s student.
For most of the new master’s students at the University of Sussex and IDS, last autumn was the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The end of a long process of deciding, applying, preparing, packing, travelling, leaving our known life, and coming to start a master’s degree. Most of us had to distance ourselves from the people we were comfortable with, our family, friends, and partners, from familiar places, weather, and food, breaking from our routine and work. The end is, however, the beginning of the first year of a new life, one of the many that are lived in a lifetime.
Highs and lows
Like the economy, politics, and development, new life has cycles. Sometimes we are at the top, but at others, we are at the bottom. The new beginning can bring the excitement of learning, the joy of knowing new and diverse people, the awakened curiosity about cultures and languages, the pleasure of being a student again, or the empowered feeling of getting here and holding big expectations. However, as the program progresses, feeling lost, stressed, worried, exhausted, and anxious at different levels is normal.
This year, the ups and downs come, and we want to tell you that what you feel is normal, that we understand it because it happened to us too, and we know that it happens to many of our colleagues. As master’s students and human beings that deal with many emotions, we want to share what we experienced and learned along the downs because few talk about it aloud.
Managing stress
Stress and anxiety are different for everyone, from the levels each can handle to the behavioural and physical responses each one experiences. Some people may postpone duties; others find ways to distract themselves from overwhelming thoughts; others begin to have trouble falling asleep; some start to eat more than usual or forget to do it; others could distance themselves from others or experience problems focusing, and so on. Those feelings can also vary at each stage of the year. Doing a master’s degree is challenging, requires effort and dedication, and is a constant conversation with yourself and your previous personal and academic knowledge. At some points, you can feel very motivated and proud, and days later, you can find yourself thinking that doing a master’s degree maybe was a wrong decision.
That happens; it is not. So we feel you, and we want to highlight some points for all those who are experiencing the same or who are thinking of doing a master’s degree:
Remember you’re not alone
According to the Centre for Digital Learning, 71% of students in the UK tend to feel anxious about their schoolwork, 67% feel embarrassed when lost in class, and less than 50% feel comfortable asking questions. Some of your classmates are likely experiencing anxiety. Talking with close friends about anxiety has supported us in managing stress. Feeling understood and identified releases some guilt generated when you have duties but are not in the mood to do them. You realize that nothing is wrong with you for feeling in a certain way.
We know some of us are shyer than others, but talking with tutors and convenors can help
Professors know the stress and responsibility of doing a master’s degree. As IDS students, we have received support from our tutors and the teaching staff; they have oriented us towards the help and support channels that the university has for students and the different options outside the university.
Inform yourself from reliable sources
We may be suffering from anxiety and not know it. Anxiety can sometimes be confused with other feelings. In this process, it has been helpful to know what has caused us concern, how to determine what symptoms we have, when we have an anxiety attack, and how to handle it. Attending and paying attention to our mental health is relevant, and no feeling is negligible.
If English is your second language – it gets easier with practise!
The language barrier can add some pressure. Many students who come to the UK to complete a master’s degree do not have English as their first language. Not feeling confident speaking English with our classmates, or participating in class, has affected us and we know it causes anxiety to many. But, again, sharing this feeling is helpful; we have always received encouragement and reaffirmation. The good news, English improves with time, and it is becoming easier to feel more comfortable speaking this language.
Some things work differently for everyone
When sharing our feelings of anxiety with others, we hear things like “you should make more time for yourself”, “try not to study all the time”, and “have healthy eating and work out”. Of course, that helps, but as students, we do not have the time to do everything we want. Prioritising what is important for us and how and with whom we prefer to spend our time is a good start. Comparisons can emerge, but it is essential to feel good with the choices that you are making.
Doing a master’s degree has been a great experience. The new concepts, approaches and theories from the lectures and the nurturing experiences of so many people who come from around the world, the learning about what we are passionate about, and maybe the renewed interests we find, as well as exploring a new country, are many positive things about this year.
The experience can have ups and downs, but that could result in a path for finding, healing, repairing, and listening to yourself. We encourage students and those who are starting the master’s degree process always to seek help, talk with people you trust about your feelings, and enjoy in your way this part of the new life.