I thought I'd write a review of my feelings, being halfway through the MA. With Christmas less than a week away, and most classes having wrapped up for the end of the semester, I've now got time to reflect on the past 3 months.
I went into this MA somewhat unconvinced. My gap year came to an end, and I was craving academia at the end of it. Something more challenging, more stimulating. They always say the longer you stay away from education, the harder it will be to return to it; so I was glad that this wasn't the case for me. When we had an introductory meeting at the end of September, I was more than a little overwhelmed. Most of the class already knew each other as they had graduated together, and they all seemed to already know about all the units and what was on offer and what they wanted. So naturally I second-guessed myself. Why was I even there? Fortunately, everyone was actually really lovely, and they welcomed me into their little circle with open arms. Meeting them has actually been one of the great positives to joining the MA course this year. As for knowing what I wanted? That day at the meeting I kind of winged it, based on what the others were saying. Then I went home and researched what each unit was offering, and my initial gut feelings were correct and I've since stuck by my choices. Always trust your gut.
The MA, like most Humanities and Arts courses, started off slow. A bit further into the deep end, compared to the BA, but still slow. But it picked up speed very quickly. Taking the gap year actually gave me perspective and allowed for some maturation, which actually helped me cope with the texts and concepts we were tackling in class. Halfway through the semester, the course coordinators had brief meetings with each student, just to have a chat, to check in, and more importantly, to see what we were expecting from the MA. Daunting, but they were actually really lovely and open. I had a think and I told them what I wanted from this MA: to develop my ideas, my scope. I felt a real lack of maturity in my writing, in my ability to critique something. Basically, what I felt I hadn't gained from the BA, I hoped to develop in the MA. So this is now my main goal for the year, and I hope to put it into practise when writing my research papers over Christmas.
Basically, the gap year was the best move of my life and I gained a tremendous amount from it. Going into the MA has now proven to be the second best move. I am so happy, and my mind is stimulated, and excited, and every class I've taken so far has been really enjoyable. I've had vermouth at my Professor's house while discussing T.S. Eliot, I've been to a book launch, an interview, bought many books and had them signed, and I'm developing a taste of what really interests me (academically speaking).
It's been a good few months.
Comments