Since my last post things in Lancaster have changed quite a lot, which is unsurprising given that it is now a new term and so I now have different modules. This term I only have two so that I can also focus on job applications (more on that below). Specifically, I am currently studying a module on the Middle East, which is really interesting as it is being taught by a lecturer whose previous job involved him serving as a diplomat to Saudi Arabia, meaning he is able to offer a different insight to most others. In addition to this, I am also covering a module on the practical element of foreign policy and diplomacy, which has so far involved me learning more about both nuclear weapons and climate change and the international politics surrounding both of these. The modules themselves have been really interesting and I am looking forwards to writing my essays for them, which I am now beginning to draft.

Speaking of essays, I have also recently received my essays from last term, and am pleased to report that I am currently on 68%, which is close to the 70% that I need for a distinction (the highest grade at Master’s level) overall. The feedback I got on the essays has also been really helpful and allowed me to understand what else I will need to do to improve with my next few essays, which should hopefully mean that my grade goes up this time as well.

On the job front, I have also been using the fact that I have one less module this term to focus more on my job hunt, and I have so far identified several jobs that I am interested in and am set to apply for once I have a few details clarified. I have also used this time to improve my CV with the help of the careers team, which I am optimistic will help me significantly.

Finally, things are also going on very well with my flat as well. We are actually planning a trip to the Lake District soon, which is something that has been on my list of things to do since I have come to Lancaster but which I have never really gotten around to until recently.

The last few weeks have been quite hectic, with the end of term fast approaching and deadlines catching up on me. For the last few weeks I have been attempting to get as much work done as possible before the Christmas holidays so that I can take it a bit easier. So far, this has gone quite well, as I have just completed my single hardest essay and can now focus more on getting my remaining two completed during the holidays!

I’ve also been preparing for my Research Proposal conference this week. Basically, as part of the Master’s at Lancaster there is a conference ran for one of the modules in which you choose a topic to do a research proposal on, which you can then expand on in a dissertation. You then have to do a 10 minute presentation on you’re topic and how you want to go about working on it, in front of some of the students and staff in the department. I’ve chosen to do my research proposal on the role of ‘alternative media’ in the UK general election of earlier this year, and based of the work I have already done, this topic sounds really interesting and worthy of further examination.

Christmas is also less then two weeks away now, and it definitely feels like it! The societies that I am in at the moment have been hosting their Christmas meals this week I am now already sick of turkey! My flat has also decided to hold a secret santa, and for once we are actually keeping quiet about who we all have. Thinking of a present has been quite difficult, especially with the work I’ve given myself to do, but I have decided on what my present will be and am waiting to pick it up tomorrow.

Term so far has been quite hectic to say the least! Deadlines are approaching me, and I have begun work on my three essays for this term. At the moment, I am currently working on one to do with military alliances, which is turning out to be interesting to say the least. In addition to this, I am also planning both my next essay (on how governments deal with justice and home affairs) and a presentation I am due to present at the end of term on a potential research proposal for my Master’s Dissertation (for some reason, I decided to choose the impact of ‘alt-left’ media on the UK General Election earlier this year). Suffice to say, the next few weeks should be quite busy.

 

This is probably why its a good thing that one of the societies that I am involved in (the Lancaster Debating Union) has just completed one of the annual competitions that we run – the intercollegiate debating contest. This year’s was won by Furness for the first time since 1995, with the victors being rewarded by the college Deans and the head of the Lancaster University Management School. This years was a huge success due to the amount of organisation from all of those involved.

 

I’m also in the middle of preparing and applying for jobs. So far things are going well on this front, with my CV now being polished and potential job applications chosen. The processes for each vary, as do the time frames, but hopefully I will soon be able to fill you all in on how they are going, along with some good news!

 

Finally, my flat has so far been really fun this year. There are 6 of us in total, with 3 of us studying politics and 3 studying physics. We are all getting on really well so far, and they have even decided to start teaching me how to play guitar (which is going terribly so far). We decided yesterday to organise a Secret Santa, but with a £5 spending limit, it looks like it is going to be a challenge to decide what to get.

 

 

Hi there,

My name is Lewis and I am a Master’s student in Politics at Lancaster University, having previously graduated with a 2:1 in History and Politics at Lancaster last year.

So far, life at uni this year has been quite busy. I am currently studying three modules this term, namely Theories and Concepts in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, Theory and Method in Postgraduate Studies and Public Policy, which are proving interesting to say the least! My modules are comfortably spread out throughout the week, which is making doing the work to stay on top of my studies really easy.

In addition to my studies, I have also become involved again in the societies that I had joined throughout my undergraduate degree in Lancaster, namely Badminton (on which I currently serve on the exec as the ‘Engagements’ officer, having previously served as ‘Social’ sec and ‘Health and Safety Officer’ in previous years), as well as debating, which has helped me to continue to hone my skills and help me to prepare for my upcoming job applications. It has been really easy to fit back in with everyone this year, and most of the old faces have returned along with a bunch of new people who I am already getting along really well with.

Outside of this, I am also getting used to my new flat. This year, I have chosen to live in Chancellor’s Wharf, which is university ran accommodation the town itself (as opposed to being on campus). This is the first time that I have lived in halls since first year, and the big thing that I have noticed is that is is nice to have a cleaner again!