So, you’re about to graduate from your undergrad degree. Congrats! The next steps are clear; you go into the work environment or you go onto postgraduate studies.

What should you expect to find if you go down the postgrad path? Similar stuff to undergrad right, they just have higher expectations? Well, sort of.

We’re here to break down a few things you might encounter on your journey into the postgrad world.

#1 The Workload Increases

First things first, how much time does postgrad study take? Can you still get away with Sparknoting it? Not exactly.

You know how they recommend 10 hours for out-of-class study for each subject? In undergrad most of us got away with doing the bare minimum, but postgrad is a full-time commitment that requires at least 40 hours of work a week.

You’ll juggle the same things as you did in undergrad – work, social life – but, you’ll be spending those 10 plus hours out of class to get all your study done in time. There’s no room to leave things until the last minute anymore, and god forbid if you get sick.

#2 The Money Gets Tighter

Once you reach the world of postgrad the wallet gets thinner. You’re a bit older now, so you now have to front more bills than you did before. Plus, Centrelink will ditch you – or make you look for work – as there’s only a tiny list of postgrad degrees that are acceptable under student payments.

This is why many postgrad students do their studies part-time, work full-time and have little to no social life. Or rather, they might just get hammered on the weekends and pretend to be undergrads again.

#3 Finding A Steady Job Is A Struggle

The world of the postgrad is filled with the question, “What are you doing with your degree, and your life?” Unless you already have a job, you might have a tough time trying to get one, especially since now you’re older.

The older you get, the more casual positions become rare. And it gets pretty useless to apply for them, as you’re too expensive and probably overqualified. So, you have to try and get a job where the age doesn’t matter. In fact, you need a job where you can say, “Hey look at me, I’m mature.” and hope for the best.

If you manage to get a job in your industry, kudos. If not, congrats at landing a job anyway.

#4 Expectations Are Higher

When it comes to the research side of things, you won’t be thrown in the deep end. Academics will tend to hold your hand, because they know it’s new territory for you; unless you’ve done honours, which might get you dome credits.

Coursework, on the other hand, is a different story. They expect you to have it down pat so there’s fewer leniencies.

They don’t give many marks to grammar and referencing anymore, they just expect it to be on point by now. It’s all about the academic writing – what you’ve said, and who you have referenced.

#5 Relationships Are Stronger

While these changes might appear negative, the truth is, once you graduate and become a postgrad, more is expected of you. The difference in postgrad is that your studies change dramatically; from education, to refinement of the skills you are learning in your chosen field.

The relationship with your lecturers changes from teacher to friend. Your peers, once competitors in the race for good grades, transform into colleagues, and are often your biggest assets in enhancing your assignments.

Good luck!

Vicki is currently studying her Master of Arts specialising in Creative Writing. In her free time she is a keen reader, writer, gamer and TV series binger.