Graduate life

Graduate study is all about choice. Be it majors, disciplines, delivery or institution, the world is your oyster as a grad student. As I’m uneasy making even the most miniscule decisions, this can be somewhat alarming. One option that I’ve been wrestling with lately is my preferred study mode, be it intensive or regular mode. With advantages and disadvantages to both, I’m still sitting on the fence. What better forum to push me onto a side than the Grad Life Blog?!?

When reading my undergraduate transcript there are an alarming number of ‘Withdrawn without penalty’ notices. These invariably were units that fell either on Mondays or Fridays - days I avoided like the plague. Undergraduate has one primary method of delivery; day time classes over thirteen weeks across two semesters each year, as such I would only pick units according to the days offered and the assessment schedule. As you’ve most likely guessed, graduate study is a whole new kettle of fish.

Postgraduate units are offered in two different modes, either in standard form or as intensive units. Classes in standard form are presented in a similar manner to undergrad, with lectures and tutorials run over thirteen weeks during semester. The only difference is that these classes are held at night rather than in the day. Intensive units are just that, units run over a condensed period of time, either over two weeks or on weekends. Intense! As you can imagine, its hard to pick which to do.

Intense units are sensational in that they’re over and done with really quickly. Thirteen weeks can draw out (particularly in semester one, as the temperature drops and the sun sets earlier!), so powering through the unit is really good. That being said, covering all the material in intensive mode is difficult. The quantity of reading and assessment is the same as a standard unit, meaning a great deal of work in a condensed period of time. The time is also often difficult to deal with too; this semester I’ve a unit on Sundays (yeah I know, rubbish). The alternative reconciles these concerns but counteracts them with a few disadvantages.

Standard delivery allows you to digest the material that is on offer week by week, allowing you to develop your knowledge and enjoy the material somewhat each week. The main issue about standard delivery is that classes are at night; it suddenly becomes a long day if you’ve been at work all day. That being said, going to class each week becomes a habit and becomes easier over time.

As may be apparent, I can’t decide which I like more. Intensive are great in that it frees up your time, but it is difficult to develop concepts in your mind and they’re very tiring. Standard units are great as they’re structured and allow for you to think about individual concepts with more clarity, yet it’s pretty hard going home at 9pm on a winter's night after being at work since 8am. This semester I have one standard unit and two intensives. Ill tell you how I get on, but let me know which you prefer.