During my
time as a taught postgrad, I’ve realised it’s important to make use of the
extra things you can do as a student. Before I started, I thought I wouldn’t
have much time to do other things that I liked, apart from studying, especially
compared to undergrad. It’s true that you do focus a lot more on study, but
it’s so much nicer having other things to do and to commit to.
Now I like to
keep fit and that’s my release, but I’ve never really been much of a gym
person! So I like to attend classes, and over the last 9 months I’ve been going
to street jazz classes as part of the dance society, as well as pole fitness
classes with the pole fitness society. They’ve both been really good, and even
as postgrad, everyone was so welcoming (I’m not really sure why I thought they
wouldn’t be…!) I always feel so much better after each session, especially during
stressful assignment times. Going to these classes really helped me to stay positive,
focused, and also allowed me to have something else to work on and put my mind
to, which in a way made me feel refreshed.
Even though I
knew I wouldn’t have been able to commit my time fully, I was able to be in two
stage performances with the dance society and this was great. Having this other
(nice and relaxed compared to the studying) type of commitment made me feel
good and also quite rewarding, as I proved to myself that I could manage my time
well and keep on top of all the studying that I needed to do.
Of course,
everyone is interested in different things, and Sheffield University has a
great range of things to do. I also volunteer with Science Brainwaves, a
society that carries out and helps with science events for children, and there
are so many other options available.
So why am I
writing about this? Doing these extra things can really help keep you motivated
and focused, and from my experience I feel that you can balance it all. Adding
to this, it’s also great for your CV. In my opinion, doing the degree on its
own is fantastic, but it looks so much better if you get involved with other
things going on as it shows you are a well-rounded person and it generally
enhances and maintains skills you may or may have not have already had!
Neelum Mistry, MSc Clinical Neurology
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