Settling in as a masters’ or postgraduate student
6 February 2025By Sara H., Staff writer at Unite Students
Settling in as a masters’ or postgraduate student
Settling into uni life can a rollercoaster the first time around. But for masters’ or postgraduate students, it’s almost like going back in time. Lots of students taking a masters’ or postgrad will enrol at a different uni from the one they did their undergraduate. That means moving to a new unfamiliar city and starting again.
That’s where we come in. This guide will give you the lowdown on navigating uni as a postgrad or masters’ student, so things like making friends and exploring a new city aren’t so daunting.
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Freshers’ Week – should I attend?
As a masters’ or postgraduate student, you might think freshers’ week isn’t for you. Maybe you’ve seen it all before, or it just isn’t your scene. The truth is there could be some benefits to attending, especially if you’re in a completely new city and/or environment.
Some reasons to make the most of freshers’ week include:
Getting your bearings at a new campus
Joining societies to meet likeminded people
Enjoying freshers’ fair freebies and discounts
Attending induction sessions
Discovering the city’s nightlife
If these sound right up your street, it’s worth getting involved in freshers’ week and giving yourself the best start to uni life as a postgrad or masters’ student.
Making friends as a masters’ or postgrad student
Whether you’re attending the same university or a different one, making friends at this stage of academia might feel intimidating. But like undergrad, there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make lasting connections.
You’ll be able to meet other people on your course. This might be the easiest icebreaker, as you’ll have your studies in common. Forming bonds in your course means you may be able to find a study buddy.
You can also meet new people through organised socials, or in societies. And if you’re living at a Unite Students accommodation, you’ll also meet people in the communal area. All it takes is a friendly greeting.
The good news is many postgrad and masters’ students would have done it all before. You’re all adults in the same boat, so communication should come more naturally, and conversation should flow a bit easier.
Wherever you meet new people, try to get out of the student bubble. You’re older, wiser and may have different interests than when you were a fresher. Societies are a great place to start, but can also be a great springboard for other activities in the area, like a book club or exercise class.
Managing relationships
The connections you make are a big part of student life. You may have formed lasting relationships in undergrad, but moving to a new city for your masters’ or postgrad doesn’t have to put a strain on things. It’s important to maintain existing relationships while forming new ones.
Whether it’s platonic or romantic, healthy relationships can thrive with enough communication, trust, and boundaries. Allow some time to adapt to your new city, but don’t forget to stay in touch with loved ones back home. It’s all about balance. If you’re feeling homesick, keep up regular contact with friends and family, arrange a time to visit, or have them visit you.
Exploring your new city
Moving to a new city for a masters’ or postgrad is a great opportunity to explore somewhere new. It’s the place you’ll call home for the next year or two, so why not familiarise yourself with the area and its local delights?
Some things you can do to explore the city include:
Find the best route from your accommodation to uni/the city centre
Explore the culture on your doorstep, like museums and art galleries
Find your new favourite coffee shop
Check out local landmarks and attractions
Look out for local events
Once you know the city like the back of your hand, you can become the perfect guide when loved ones come to visit.
Tick off that to-do list
Life as a masters’ or postgraduate student also involves a bit of planning. There are loads of admin tasks you’ll need to tick off if you’ve moved to a new city. You might have done it all before, but it can help to keep track of the important bits before getting stuck into your studies.
Have you unpacked everything? Where are your accommodation’s facilities? How will you get to uni? Do you have a student railcard? Getting all the fundamentals covered gives you a better chance of enjoying masters’/postgrad uni life.
From general organisation to money management tips, see the full list of our top 25 things to do when starting uni.
Getting along with your flat or housemates
You might have lived with friends for the last few years and now find yourself living with strangers – or even first-years. While it’s an adjustment to your living situation, it’s also a great opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
Your new housemates are in the same situation as you, so it’s important to find common ground. Hang out in the common areas, play games, or even invite other people along. Make use of Unite Students’ facilities and find a space that works for everyone.
Not getting on with your flatmates? It happens. The best solution is to find proactive ways to overcome the issue. Alternatively, you can see about having a studio flat to yourself to avoid dealing with flat drama.
Balancing work and studying
It’s common for postgrad and masters’ students to work during their studies – but one should never overshadow the other. Balancing work, studies and social life is all about planning out your time so you’re not burnt out.
Once you find a time management method that works for you, the rest should all fall into place. That includes batch cooking meals, sharing household chores and making the most of study spaces. It’s also important to find a part-time job that works around a uni schedule, like bar staff or a receptionist.
Ultimately, you want to prioritise your tasks while also gaining backs some valuable time for yourself.
Enjoy yourself!
Most important of all, enjoy your time at uni as much as possible. Doing a masters’ or postgrad is an amazing opportunity to boost your career prospects, experience a new city, make new friends and gain new skills.
With our tips and advice, you can settle in as a masters’ student, get reacquainted with uni life and make the most of the experience. Whatever that looks like to you, do it to the fullest!
