======= Date Modified 20 29 2009 02:29:02 =======
Hello all! I'm a second year Undergrad (mature student though!) and have been inspired by a tutor of mine to do an MA and a PhD, something I'm warming to day by day.

Obviously, I need to actually do my undergrad course, but at the same time I'm so enthusiastic about this new avenue open to me (previously, I was a lowly admin worker with poor A levels. Hooray for mature students being judged on aspects other than their grades!!)

I'm not quite sure what I'm asking, possibly if anyone's had the same experience? I'm thoroughly enjoying my course, but being incredibly frustrated by the complete apathy of the majority of my fellow course mates. I’ve been browsing around this site for a while and feel like I’m already a postgrad!

I intend to stay at the same Uni,moving isn't an option, you get 10% off your MA fees if you stay at the same Uni,and obviously I find the course content very good. Our Uni apparently also has a good record of seeing their students go from undergrad to post grad.

I'm already being annoying (ok, enthusiastic) to various tutors, I'd really like to teach during my PhD and I'm always reading as much as I can about my topic of interest (at the moment it's linguistics in general.I just want to know all of it at the moment and specialise later).

So basically,who of you spent time in your courses looking and researching towards the future? Did it work out, or would you advise spending all of your time focused on your undergrad/MA? Am I being an eager beaver and should calm down and just relax for a bit before things get really hectic? All of the above?!

It's great that you've found something you're enthusiastic about, but it might be best to get your first degree wrapped up first. It is good to have ambitions and plans, but the reality is that these things take time (years) and developing your academic skills and knowledge is a continuous process that you constantly refine as part of the work. I don't think there are any short cuts really, or if there were then I missed them! Learning to be more patient has been part of the deal with doing a PhD for me, but it's been interesting doing it.

Your tutor obviously thinks a lot of your work, so it looks like you're on course for doing your MA and Phd, but maybe concentrate on the present situation at the moment and get a really good grade in your BA. You have to do this before you can move onto the next things, it's the first stage. I'd say actually don't pursue this teaching thing too much at the moment with all your tutors, it's a long way off and you're likely to be offered teaching anyway during your PhD, but there's a limit to what you can do right now at this point in your academic career. Well done on finding something you love doing though - it will all be worth it, I'm sure!

I concur with what Ruby said - great advice.

it's great you are so motivated and enthusiastic, and i agree with Ruby, focus 100% on your BA, get the best grade you can, and read as much as you can on the topics you will be examined on. its very easy to be distracted by tangents. but yah a phd is a very long way off right now for you. you will have plenty of time to develop your knowledge for your phd whilst your doing your phd.

i dont meant to dampen your spirits. but put all your zest for your subject in your undergrad. thats super you are enjoying your course, and its sad that majority of them are apathetic. because its nice to have a study partner and bounce ideas of someone.

what is your subject exactly?

i wish i had abit of your enthusiasm, its so refreshing and catchy! nice to read your message :)

StBarbarella! It's great to hear the passion you've got for linguistics and the ambitions you have for the future :)

I remember when I was an undergrad I felt I had much much more in common with the mature students because of my enthusiasm for what I was reading, and I loved engaging with others at tutorials. It sounds like you love doing the same! It's great and of course will mean you will get a stellar reference for your MA and PhD.

I started uni at 17 and am now 25 in the first year of my PhD. I had planned this from my undergrad years, but took two years after my MA to explore other territories, which for me was perfect. I had gotten bored of the academic world and was interested in new prospects and developing other areas of my life. My main advice is: Enthusiasm is fantastic but BEWARE the dreaded burnout!! I've seen it happen at all levels - people throwing themselves into something (I did it in second year at uni) and then becoming burnt out by it all. It's important to keep a balance as well as continuing to enjoy what you do.

As for the MA - by the time you've finished your undergrad it could well be that you've gotten a little bored of what you were once mad interested in. On the other hand, you might find that your enthusiasm will transfer onto another exciting aspect of your discipline. There are so many possibilities for the future and it sounds like you're going in the right direction.

I'd say, keep an open mind to any opportunities available and keep enjoying what you are doing! It's so great to hear it. You can keep all the ambition you have and enjoy your undergrad at the same time.

Good luck and hope to hear about your progress :)

Hey st. barbarella, you have some great advice already. But I would also like to add that because the BA prepares you for the MA, and the MA for the PhD, the best way to get ready for your future academic achievements, in my view, is to go hell for leather on the BA.

That way you'll be more likely to get funding too.

Glad you've found something to make you happy!

Thank you very much guys for your good advice!

Rubyw: Yeah, the teaching thing is more a future want. At the moment, I'm happy with 'tutoring' my fellow students! It's a shame it's unpaid at the moment!


Lara: I'm doing a general 'English' degree at the moment, where we do language, literature and creative writing. I enjoy it all (apart from possibly English Renaissance literature!), but I'd really like to specialise in the language/linguistic side of things. You can elect to do more language modules this year (which I have done) and next year.

I'm kinda doing 'everything' at the moment. You can elect to do a research project this year (which is basically an undergrad dissertation!) I'm doing it on the literature side (Sci-Fi alien/human contact to be exact!). For my final dissertation I aim to do a creative writing portfolio, cos I wanna. I've spoken to staff and they say there's no problem getting into the MA, as staff will already know me.

I am aiming to write a paper of sorts over the next summer holiday, something language based, so I at least have something substantial in linguistics to show people. Perhaps even get it published. Or, there's the chance of doing another personal research project next year.


Beave: Yeah, I know what you mean by burnout. I figure though that I was burnt out from my previous 8 years office admin experience, so now I'm making up for it! And generally though, I'm interested in all aspects of linguistics at the moment - I haven't enough knowledge of it to find something that I'd want to specialise in at the moment so it's all good.


But yes, thanks guys for reminding me: Must stay focused on the present! I do have a habit of procrastinating by planning for the future rather than doing stuff that needs to be done now! It's no good me having lots of MA/PhD ideas when I need to get good marks in my 2nd year first!