Starting a masters

So I am officially a part-time student, studying for a Masters in Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent.

I took part in the induction day (online) last week and met 27 amazing fellow students and three pretty impressive lecturers and mentors who have assured us that they will be there to support and guide us throughout the next two academic years. The cohort includes students from Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, New York and the length and breadth of the UK. My fellow students all have such a wide variety of jobs, yes a vast majority are working in the not-for-profit sector, but even within that, they have varied job roles and experiences; plus a lawyer and a few consultants. One thing is for sure we will collectively be bringing hundreds of years work and life experience to the group. The immediate comaraderie "we are all in this together" feel and tone was exceptionally striking from the outset.

As our Director of Studies suggested, 'we should enjoy our last weekend of freedom' at the same time as directing us to the online learning platform. She recommended we get familiar with distance learning. So I am not sure that qualifies as a weekend off!

I am slightly terrified, contemplating what the next 104 weekends are going to look like, the list of what we need to pre-read, get to grips with and understand even before week 1 starts is not for the faint hearted.

So goodbye social life, I will be spending the next 2 years with my new best friend "Moodle". I will explain more in the next few weeks....... if I can.