… by Jack / from Grangemouth / MSc Operational Research / PG (2017-18)
Hi guys, Jack here again, and this time I’m writing to you all from Leeds. I’m currently using the lull in my busy exam schedule to get some time away with the English half of my family. It’s a great way to de-stress from the first lot of exams and help me find my focus for the last one. (I’ve included a pic of us below so you can see our cheery faces).
So how gruelling is the exam period I hear you ask? (Well I hope you’re asking, because otherwise I feel pretty stupid). I’m not going to lie to you all, it is tough, but remember a Masters isn’t meant to be easy, and with careful planning and time management it is definitely doable.
I’ve been lucky enough this time round to have a couple of days in between each exam to prepare for the next one and this has definitely helped me to stay focused throughout the period.
Stress is always something that comes along with exams and I imagine it’s something you’ve all been dealing with lately. Throughout the exam period I always think it’s super important to look after yourself and make sure you are taking the time to focus on other things that aren’t exams. I always continue my usual gym routine throughout the exam period and I have been taking some time each day to focus on me – I’ve been listening to an audiobook called “The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Gibbons, which has really helped me with procrastination this time!
After the exams are done there won’t be much time until we launch ourselves into the final part of the course – the dissertation. This is going to be an extended piece of work in a specific area of my degree. There’s also the option to complete the dissertation within the School or with a company who could be a potential employer. I’m going to be doing mine with AEGON, a large pensions provider on the outskirts of Edinburgh, whereas Lydia is going to be working within the School of Maths to complete her project. However, I’ll leave her to tell you more about those next time once we have a clearer idea of how they are going!
Life really has been all about exams at the moment so I don’t have lots of exciting things to tell you. The most exciting thing we’ve done over the last few weeks is have the odd celebratory meal or two, to congratulate ourselves for that day’s exam being over! But for now life is mainly: eat, sleep, study, repeat! Best of luck in your exams and hopefully you will all get the results you’re looking for.
Till next time,
Jack