My year in UCC as a Digital Arts and Humanities masters student has come to an end. It was such an amazing year and to top it off I was asked to speak to the incoming graduate students about my experiences in UCC. So I am sharing my speech below so you can get a feel about spending a year as a graduate student. Don’t think I actually captured in full what a life changing year I had.
I handed in my final thesis last Tuesday.
Writing the acknowledgements page of my thesis made the memories of the past year flood my mind, like a flashback scene in a movie. It was then I realised by looking at all the names I had listed, that like me, you will not be alone during this process. Honestly, you can’t do this on your own. Those I had listed were family, friends, lecturers and all those within these walls here at UCC who guided, advised, encouraged and helped me to complete my thesis.
So here is the first piece of advice I will bestow on you; avail of those people who will offer you guidance and support in anything you may need. It could be from the librarian to the IT guy, it could be your lecturer telling you to write with less of a Jane Austen tone or your family member telling you to take a break and go for a walk. Straight off the bat you may feel that you won’t need this help, but in time, you will.
The last list of people I wanted to thank on my acknowledgements were my fellow classmates. And here is where I tell you a story about myself. I hadn’t gone to UCC before, I studied my undergrad degree in Dublin, but I never had the opportunity to attend UCC. So my first day was filled with mixed emotions and questions…some of you here today, should be able to relate. Nervous, excited, hesitation, fear, do I look alright, will I be the oldest, do they all have laptops now and no refill pads, should I turn on my GPS in case I get lost or will I look stupid with printed map and so on.
I knew no one here so I didn’t know what to expect. My first day I met 2 other girls standing outside the classroom. I pretended I didn’t know where I was so I could talk to them. My hands were shaking a bit so I put them in my pocket. So from then on I wasn’t on my own. I took that first leap to talk to others. So there is my next piece of advice, don’t wait for others to talk to you, do it for yourself. You’ll feel better. So I want all of you to take this opportunity of today, and talk to others later on.
As the weeks went on, I began to have conversations through the Blackboard discussions for particular modules. I had no idea who these people were then until I met them later in class. I must say this is how all my friendships began to develop. To me it was a strange way to make friends, but as I was a bit shy to start off, it was a way of breaking the ice. As classmates, we held each other up, we supported each other, we sometimes had heated discussions, but we were a team. Make sure that those classmates that you create friendships with, know that you are there for them as much as they will be there for you.
Meet outside of the UCC walls. For those of you who don’t know Cork, it is a small city with a big heart. It recently got voted one of friendliest cities, did you see that? We talk fast, we love food, you could walk everywhere and we are great company. Make the most out of Cork and take trips together, visit sites, visit pubs when there is music on, enjoy your time here in cork as this year will fly by and you don’t want to regret afterwards that you didn’t take in all in. So another piece of advice, set up a weekly class meet up and do something that doesn’t involve college work. And don’t forget to take as many photos as you can.
As a class, be a team, work together and just be there.
A master’s programme in UCC is a very enjoyable one but don’t enjoy it so much that you will ease off your work. I would advise you to all, to keep on top of everything each week. Although your lecturers will always support and guide you, you are a grown up now. Manage your weekly workload well and develop a source of structure. I used an article I read on my first week of classes as my introduction for my thesis. Everything you source, note it, everything you think, remember it. Develop a way that you can document all your work. Make lists, use an online referencing system like Evernote, Zotero. Decide which one to use early on as not to have to change half way through, which will cause major confusion. Start managing yourself now.
If you are worried about what topic to research for your thesis now, don’t worry yet. I changed my original topic completely in January after an assignment I completed for one of my semester 1 modules. Originally I was sourcing articles on how children’s culture has changed because the digital revolution. I, in the end took the topic of how to develop your digital footprint as a personal brand. I was able to take my marketing background and develop a workshop right here in UCC on personal branding which helped me for my own research.
It was amazing and very rewarding that I was able to find a topic that has enabled me to gain my confidence in myself, which I had lost. I suppose that is why I came back to university, to find myself again and gain my confidence and have pride. The time here in UCC came and went so quickly. I gave it my all, my heart, my soul and 100 pages of a thesis. You may be here just to learn, but you will end up with a lot more.
So I wish to you all the best of luck as you start your time in UCC, make it all count, be proud to be a UCC student and if you’re not from Cork, you are now a Corkonian for one year, so make us proud. You will pick up the slang soon, don’t worry.
Thank You.
