Hi Emma, I think I've spoken to you before about this and said I'm in the same sort of position with trying to come up with a proposal etc - its so difficult, I've never had to forward-plan to such an extent before and its quite scary to think of what a three-year research project will involve.
I haven't studied Women's Studies before but it does look interesting - what did you focus your attention on when you did your UG and MA degrees? I did a joint honours in Applied Psychology and Sociology, now doing MSc Psychosocial studies and want to do my PhD on 'something' which links psychoanalytic social theory with feminist arguments....so possibly similar to what you want to study. Nx

I've just started my MSc straight from my UG degree, and although I read a lot at UG level I've found myself both being required to and wanting to read a lot more at Masters level - we have a set reading list then a lot of extra suggested reading, also I'm in the process of applying for PhD supervision and funding and so I'm reading around my proposed topic area to come up with a proposal as well. With a part time job as well, time is quite tight so now I'm focusing on working more efficiently to make the most of my working hours.

I've found that I'm reading really slowly though, like an average-length paper/journal article takes me about 1.5 hours. I'm in the social sciences so I read a variety of different things, some complex theoretical papers and some research reports, they're all qualitative though so quite long. I tend to flick through first, reading subheadings etc to get a gist of what the articles about, then read it properly making little notes in the margin, underlining key points etc. Then if something is especially interesting or I need to remember something I make extra brief notes.

If anyone has any advice for reading more quickly and/or efficiently I'd be really grateful to hear it as I have a growing pile of work and I'm so worried about getting behind with it all, especially around deadlines. Also I need to get into better habits now for the future, I think I'm still getting used to Masters level work but I still think I need to speed up! Natassia x

I've found this topic really interesting to read, as I only graduated a few months ago (now doing a MSc at same uni). Therefore I remember my undergraduate years very well although I am having a very different experience now. I guess I was a good student, I know I could be a bit dependant at times but that was purely because I was a total perfectionist and panicked about assignments to the point where I couldn't eat or sleep properly (didn't tell them that but I think they knew I was a worrier!) - did well though and got a first so hopefully I was one of the better ones and not talked about too much! Thankfully I'm a bit more chilled out this year.
I remember how irritated I got by the rude students though, they used to moan about tutors all the time and whinge about not getting work back really quickly even though it was never more than 5 weeks, which was stated in the handbook. One of my close friends who I'm still in touch with was quite demanding, not in a rude way it was just how she was - she was also really competitive with marks and always wanted to know what I got before she knew her own mark. One day in the 2nd year we all got essays back and mine wasn't in the collection box - I wasn't that bothered and was going to just wait a few more days but she insisted on grabbing my arm and marching to our tutors office and asking where it was - seriously I was mortified, she was like an outraged parent!! I would never do anything like that, I just let them get on with it and only ask anything if I had a problem, even asking for references for my MSc applications felt a bit demanding!
I really get annoyed by rudeness in seminars though, especially when someone doesn't understand something (usually something relatively simple) and instead of going away and reading about it/approaching the tutor after the seminar they hold everything up, then interrupt the explanation with another stupid question. Or mature students who constantly pick holes in whatever the tutor is saying just to make themselves look clever...the list goes on! At postgrad level I expected other students to be a bit more commited but there are still a few that show obvious boredom, its so rude and irritating but nothing is said to them, so they just carry on.
As for the consumer side of it - that is not going to do universities any favours. I remember some students working out how much we paid for each session on average (we only had about 8 hours a week), obviously it was quite a lot but working it out like that was a totally meaningless exercise as university is so much more than a series of lectures and seminars, if its worth doing the cost aspect of it shouldn't come in at all. Having students that consider themselves to be consumers will just decrease the real value of a university education even more, and give some students even more reason to have the misguided sense of entitlement that we have been complaining about.

In my final undergraduate year I did a discourse analysis of a newspaper article, using methods from discursive psychology and Foucauldian discourse analysis - really enjoyed it and did well so hopefully will use discourse analysis again for my MSc dissertation this year.

'Introducing qualititative research in psychology" by Carla Willig has a good chapter on discourse analysis (discursive psychology and Foucauldian DA), but not so much on conversation analysis. Also, 'An introduction to qualitative research' by Uwe Flick has a chapter which includes DA and CA, think that might be better for you.

Hi, thanks for starting this as I really want to get a distinction for my MSc that I've just started. Like you I want to start a PhD ideally straight after I finish, and as I got a first in my UG degree last year I think I would be a bit dissapointed with anything less. I'm finding it quite tough though as I am working part time, and I have a horse to look after, although he is a massive luxury its hard work! I feel like I don't really have the time that I'd like to have for my course at the moment and its quite depressing really, but I guess I'm still at the 'settling in' stage, hopefully I'll become a bit more efficient soon!

Hi Emma - I'm at a similar stage to you and also in the social sciences (guessing you are?!), it is really difficult to come up with something before really talking to anyone about it, if you haven't already I'd suggest going to speak to a tutor at your uni if you're studying now, or a past tutor as they'll be able to go through your ideas with you, make suggestions, and help you with your applications. Once you've done that you should feel more confident with yout ideas and more able to write a proposal. I think your ideas sound really interesting as well, and its something that I would like to research myself!
I went to see my MSc tutor the other day and he basically told me to do as much reading as possible now and really engage with my topics, ready to approach potential supervisors in the New Year. I want to do mine around Feminist theory, Psychoanalysis and the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Programme - will do a qualitative study, probably discourse analysis but not really sure. Apparantly they're 'hot topics' at the moment so hopefully I'll be able to make a contribution but I don't want to come across as boring by wanting to study them, if that makes sense. My ideas have just developed from my UG degree interests and what I am doing for my MSc now, its been a gradual thing really. Good luck, Natassia x

Sounds like its going really well, and they obviously think you're good if you're teaching already! Good luck with the rest of it - what are you researching? Nx

I think you have good reason to be irritated by that, and I think you've done well to tolerate it so far. How does this second supervisor interact with you usually, is she rude to your face or just through the tasks she gives you? What does your first supervisor think of the situation?

Its hard for me to judge whether she genuinely thinks you're not good enough/lazy, or whether due to the problems you've had (and come through very well)she is not sure how much to push you with the work, maybe she thinks if your workload with her is too high, as well as your PhD, that you would struggle due to stress. Although she might not be showing it in the best way, she might be trying to help you and she might be trying to increase your workload gradually. It sounds like you need to get to know each other a bit better and to develop a better, more effective working relationship - maybe arrange a meeting with her to discuss doing some more challenging RA work that is related to your PhD or something.

Also how are you getting on with the undergrad student who is being given the other jobs, does she think its strange that she's being given them over you? Personally if I were her I would feel guilty if I were in this 'higher' position to a PhD student and would question that with the supervisor...is this student really skilled enough to do this work?

I hope I've said something that helps, good luck, Natassia x

Thanks for the reply. I have had a look at other universities and identified some other people who I would like to contact about supervision, I think I'll mention them to my tutor to see what he thinks. Its difficult because on one hand I want to be independant about this and I don't want him to think I can't make any decisions by myself, but on the other hand I need some guidance, its a difficult process and as none of my friends are in the same position I have limited people to talk to, therefore I'm not as confident as I should be.

Thats exactly what I meant, about not getting too comfortable, but at the same time if staying would be the best option for me then I might be better off doing that. Like you said I need to make an informed decision; hopefully after this meeting I would have a clearer picture of the whole process, the books are wonderful but a conversation would be better!

Natassia x

Wow, thats amazing - well done!! I've just started my MSc and the workload is indeed crazy, and I haven't even started an assignment yet! Its inspiring to read about others who have found it difficult and achieved good results, so thanks! What are your plans now? Natassia x

I know I have to do a few (first one in Jan) for my MSc this year, I did quite a few for my BA but not on my own - we did them in a group but got individual marks for them so was a bit less daunting. I'm nervous but I think it will help that I'll only have to present in front of 6 people max, and we'll all know each other a bit better by then so I think it'll be a nice, supportive group.
Depending on how long you have to prepare for your presentations, I think a good starting point is to speak in your seminars when you have something to say so you get used to articulating your views in front of your class with confidence. Also, this might sound obvious but practice your presentation as much as you can, time yourself as well so you feel confident about how long it is and the different stages of the presentation, that way you're less likely to rush yourself through it and end up talking too quickly. Also, practice in front of a mirror (feels a bit strange at first) so you aren't so worried about having others look at you, as you know how you look when standing up talking. You will also be able to improve your posture etc by looking at yourself.
Hope I've helped - good luck and try to enjoy it!! Natassia x

Hi, I've just started my MSc and have finally arranged to speak to my tutor about applying for a PhD, and now I'm so nervous! I've wanted to do a PhD since the beginning of my third year so I've had plenty of time to think about it, but I still don't have any firm ideas of what I want to research and the methods I want to use. I basically know the area of my discipline that I want to focus on and I'm thinking about methods but I seem to be changing my mind a lot based on things I read and find interesting....at this stage how focused would my tutor expect my ideas to be? I'm concerned because I need to start writing proposals soon and I really don't feel ready to do that.

I have looked into where I might want to go and potential supervisors, but will not contact them until I have spoken to my tutor. I am also considering staying at the same university as where I am doing my MSc, and did my BA as it does appear to offer good opportunities for Phd students, as well as funding. I could potentially have the same supervisor for my MSc dissertation and PhD as well...I know this is generally a good idea but the problem is he also supervised my UG dissertation, is having the same supervisor all the way through a big no no? At PhD level I would have 3 supervisors as they arrange supervision in teams, so I would be getting advice from other academics as well. I had a seminar with him today and he told us to email him if we wanted to base our dissertations on the approach that he was teaching us...would that be a good idea?

I just don't want to appear like I'm making decisions based on what would be most straightforward for me, ie. applying to stay with the same supervisor. My interests do seem to be quite consistent with his, but the input from other supervisors would be really useful as well. I seemed to get on well with him at UG level and he appeared to show genuine interest in my work, which makes me think he'd be a good MSc supervisor.

I'm sorry for rambling on, but I'm getting quite stressed out about this and I just want to do everything the right way. I have read books on the PhD process and done other research but I feel so in the dark at the moment. I have a first class BA so although it will be much harder than my UG degree (finding that with my MSc at the moment) I hopefully have the ability and the motivation. If anyone can give any advice on PhD applications I'd really appreciate it, particularly about what I should avoid doing!

Thanks in advance, Natassia x

I am in a similar situation to you, just started my MSc, have a part-time job (20 hours a week) as a receptionist in a hairdressers which I don't really enjoy that much and I need the money, also get my hair done for free during work time which is a huge bonus!! I have a horse as well and although having him is a huge luxury which I love, it is also a massive commitment similar to a child as I look after him totally myself, which means I'm at the stables twice a day, every day. I am finding my MSc really difficult, even though I am well prepared for it the leap from UG level is considerable in terms of workload and difficulty, and I haven't even done any real writing yet. So I don't get much time for a social life any more, if I have more than 1 evening off a week I feel guilty, and I'm worried that I'm slipping behind already. I really feel like something has to give, I think I'll be cutting down to 16 hours a week before long, I can't afford to do any less.

I've been single for a while now as well, and I think I'm becoming more and more unapproachable as time goes on, even though I make an effort to look good etc I feel like people subconsciously know that I'm too busy and selfish at the moment, I'm feeling quite sorry for myself really!

How did you structure it, I'm guessing introduction, argument, conclusion? I've just started my MSc and although I haven't had to write anything for submission yet but we've been told that Masters level work requires the same general structure (unless we're writing a report or something different like that), but with more synthesis between arguments, basically showing a higher level of analysis and research around the subject, away from the set reading.
If structuring is the main issue, rather than content, I would say that it is more straightforward to rectify than something with the wrong content/limited understanding. I'm guessing your knowledge was accurate and relevant, just not presented in the most effective way. I don't really want to suggest anything but you should go and speak to whoever marked your essay, without being defensive about it, and find out exactly what he/she meant. As you are near the beginning of the course, and you need to resubmit, they should be willing to help - it is in their best interests as well as yours for you to improve. It may not be a case of necessarily improving, more changing the way you write. I hope that has helped in some way, good luck, Natassia