Words by Abby Saywell
Your boss, your mum’s best friend, your annoying uncle at the family reunion—everyone wants to know: ‘what are you going to do after you graduate?’
If hearing this question activates your fight or flight response, you’re not alone. But if you’re like me and have less than one month until you finish your undergrad degree, it’s probably time to make at least one decision: should we stay at uni, or finally enter the real world? Instead of sitting through hours of information evenings or trying to decipher the postgrad section on the VUW website, I’ve gone straight to the source: real-life postgrad students.
Sam Mata is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science with Honours, majoring in Artificial Intelligence.
Reflecting on his academic journey, he shared that he didn’t always have a clear direction. “I started off with Engineering” he explains, “but honestly, it just wasn’t for me. Engineering's quite shit and felt restrictive.” By his third year, Sam decided to make a switch and completed his undergraduate degree in Computer Science instead. “It just made a lot more sense. It was closer to what I actually wanted to be doing.”
When asked about the transition from undergrad to postgrad, Sam admits it was a big adjustment. “There’s a lot more independence, and you’re trying to justify your solutions to complex problems without anyone telling you what the outcome should look like. Time management is really difficult because you can’t just pull an all-nighter or cram at the last minute—it doesn’t work at this level.”
His current postgrad degree involves balancing a research project spanning two trimesters along with coursework. “It’s a bit of a juggle,” he says. “But I like it. The 400-level courses are different; the class sizes are much smaller, and lectures are more like discussions. I have weekly meetings with my supervisors to check in, but other than that, I do the work whenever I can fit it in.”
Sam doesn’t find the specialisation too limiting at this stage. “Maybe it feels that way for now, but research is actually a broader skill than people realise. From the people I’ve talked to, it seems surprisingly easy to go from researching one thing to something else entirely. The critical thinking and adaptability transfer between fields.”
Finances are another layer of complexity. “I work as a web developer, and earlier in the year, I tutored two courses. Now I’m down to tutoring just one, but it’s still tough. I mean, I’m still a pretty broke student,’ he laughs. ‘You can definitely mismanage your time, but I don’t think I know anyone in postgrad who’s got an easy work-life balance. It’s just part of it.”
For anyone considering postgrad, Sam’s advice is straightforward: “Reach out as early as possible to pick your projects. If you show you’re eager, you’ll get good supervisors who are actually interested in the project rather than someone who’s just been told to supervise you. Having good supervisors makes things way easier, so don’t leave it to chance.”
Sophie Hampson is currently studying for a Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) in Film.
Reflecting on her academic journey, she shares: “In undergrad I ended up majoring in Film and Psychology and did a minor in Theatre. I wasn’t even studying Film at first—I was doing Political Science!”
When asked about the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study, Sophie admits it’s been both surprising and challenging: “I was expecting a bit more support, or just a general framework. But I also wasn’t expecting to feel as confident in my abilities as I am—to realise that I am actually capable. It's been really good for my own confidence and belief in myself. It's a lot of self-discovery and personal learning rather than external learning—this is like the third existential crisis I’ve been through!”
Day-to-day, her postgrad experience varies depending on the phase of production. “In our first trimester we had typical lectures and workshops, learning how to use the equipment and create a film. Now we’re in the pre-production and production phases—less classes, so we can just go out and shoot. Then in post-production we’ll have more classes again. We’ve also got internships two or three days a week. Around all that, we do our other assignments.” It’s an intense schedule, but it keeps things dynamic and engaging.
Despite the demands of postgraduate study, Sophie doesn’t find it restrictive: “In film, we have a very broad sense of learning. We’re working in four role capacities across multiple projects, so we get to do a lot of different things. I’m becoming a jack of all trades, in an environment where it’s still safe, so that’s quite cool.” The breadth of the programme allows her to explore multiple aspects of film production and gain a diverse skill set.
Financially, however, postgraduate life is a struggle. “I am really struggling! I’m living off my savings and student loan. We’re not really supposed to work, but who the fuck can afford that? So, I’m a casual contractor for the uni social media team. But I’m literally living dollar to dollar.” Balancing her studies and the cost of living has been difficult, but she’s doing what she can to make it work.
To anyone considering postgraduate study, Sophie’s advice is thoughtful: “It’s a privilege to get an education, especially to such a high degree as a Master’s. It can be kind of daunting, but if you are in the position that is fortunate enough, make sure you make the most of it. A lot of people don’t get these opportunities.” Though it’s a demanding and often overwhelming experience, she believes in seizing the chance to learn and grow, if you have it.
Henry Isaacs is pursuing a Master of Architecture (Professional), a path he had planned long before starting university.
“I always knew I was going to do my undergrad in Architecture and then go on to Master's,” he explains. “If you want to be an architect, you need to do the Master's Professional.” For him, the transition to postgraduate study felt natural and expected.
Surprisingly, Henry finds postgraduate study less stressful than his undergraduate years, though not due to a reduced workload. “It’s not any more stressful doing the Master’s—if anything, it’s less stressful. Not because of the workload, but because of my attitude towards it. It’s like ‘hey, I can do this’.” He anticipates a significant shift next year when it’s time to tackle the thesis. “What will be quite different is doing our thesis next year. It’s daunting, because some theses are unbelievable, but with SARC 491 (Research Methodologies) you see how you can get there.”
Henry notes that the structure of his architecture degree hasn’t changed dramatically from second through to fourth year. “Second, third, and fourth year are identical, with design capstone being the big course of your fourth year. So you go to class and then we have our own studio, and you kind of just come and go.” He values the flexibility that the studio system offers, where students manage their own schedules and time.
Although the Master’s is more specialised, it still provides room for exploration. “It’s more specific than undergrad, but next year will definitely go right into something you want to do. This year has still been working up to the thesis.” For Henry, it’s the opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest that makes the Master's experience valuable.
To support himself financially, Henry works part-time as a tennis coach, a job he’s held since his college days. “I coach about 7-8 hours a week—you don’t want to do any more than that.” Balancing work and study is crucial, and he’s found a rhythm that allows him to manage both without overwhelming himself.
When it comes to advice for prospective postgraduate students, Henry is clear-eyed. “If you can get where you want to without doing the Master’s, then I personally wouldn’t do it. But also, don’t feel like you shouldn’t do it because you’re not going to be good enough—you’re more than capable. It’s more whether you’re actually interested in doing postgrad.” He urges people to think carefully about their motivations. “Really consider why you want to do it, and if that makes it enough to do one or two years more, go for it.” For him, postgraduate study is less about necessity and more about passion and a genuine desire to delve deeper into the discipline.
Alex Walker is pursuing a PhD in Health, but his academic journey has been anything but linear.
“I did an undergrad in History and Classics, then a Master’s in Educational Psychology, then a PhD in Health,” he explains. “I think of it as slowly moving towards what I really want to do.” His progression reflects a process of refining his focus over time, gradually zeroing in on his true passion.
Reflecting on his experience, Alex wishes he’d been kinder to himself during those early stages. “It can feel like you don’t belong, that you don't have what it takes. It was a real journey getting comfortable working with supervisors and feeling like an equal.” For many students, the transition to postgraduate study can be intimidating, and Alex found it challenging to see himself as more than just a student. “You're really primed to think of these people as your lecturers and yourself as the student. It’s amazing how you slowly shift from mainly listening to being the one talking the most.”
The structure of a PhD is quite different from the undergraduate or even Master’s experience, something Alex appreciates. “It’s so different in the PhD context, because that’s where your usual markers of courses and assignments go out the window. Some weeks I’m doing lots of reading; other weeks it’s just writing; for several months I was doing interviews—it can be so varied.” The autonomy and lack of traditional structure might be daunting to some, but for Alex, it’s what makes the process unique and engaging.
“I actually find it liberating,” he says. At the start of his PhD, he struggled to find a direction, feeling pulled in too many ways. But once he settled into his niche, the clarity came. “Once you find your niche, you can start identifying unanswered questions more clearly.” The freedom to pursue a highly specialised topic has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience for him.
Financially, Alex acknowledges that he’s in a fortunate position, thanks to a doctoral scholarship. “I am really lucky to have a doctoral scholarship, which means I get paid a stipend to cover rent and things like that”’ However, he’s quick to point out that this kind of support shouldn’t be left to luck. “I feel like it shouldn't be a matter of me being lucky—everyone should get support, because I can’t imagine how tough it would be without it.” He believes that equitable financial support should be a standard for all postgraduate students.
When asked what advice he’d offer to others considering postgraduate study, Alex is encouraging. “If you’re not a constant A+ student, please know that postgrad can absolutely be for you! I know many people who got their best grades in postgrad, but really struggled in undergrad.” For him, success in postgraduate study isn’t about academic perfection—it’s about knowing why you want to do it. “I think knowing why you want to do postgrad is far more important than having the best GPA.” Finding that motivation and purpose is what truly matters in navigating the challenges of postgraduate research.
Ren Pritchard is currently pursuing a PhD majoring in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience.
Their academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Australia, before moving to New Zealand to complete Honours in the same field. “I got offered a Master’s by Thesis scholarship in Cognitive Behavioural Neuroscience, but at the nine-month mark I upgraded to a PhD” Ren explains. This transition allowed them to delve deeper into research and commit to a long-term project they were passionate about.
The shift from Honours to PhD came with its own set of challenges, especially since Ren has a chronic illness. “Honours was a lot of literal hours of physical work—I never felt ahead of the game in Honours! So it scared me when people kept saying a PhD is so much more work, as I really struggled with the time commitment due to my chronic illness.” However, Ren discovered that the nature of PhD work suited them better. “I’ve realised it’s about what people consider to be hard work, and what types of work people prefer. Even though a PhD is more in-depth and requires more thinking, there’s only really one big project to focus on, and I personally prefer that. It just depends on who you are.”
Describing the process of research, Ren outlines the iterative nature of the work: “With research, you want to answer a question. So you read the literature, find what’s missing, design a study, run the study, get the results, and write it up.” The flexibility of a PhD means that week-to-week tasks can vary greatly. “It’s hard for PhD students to say what they do in a week, because it changes depending on the week they’re in, and you get to manage your time the way you see fit.” This autonomy has been a positive aspect for Ren, allowing them to balance the demands of research with the realities of their health condition.
Although Ren’s research is highly specialised, they’ve found that the process has also enhanced a broad range of soft skills. “I know a lot about my thesis topic! But when I break it down, I’ve enhanced all these soft skills: I’ve learnt how to design a study, how to write that study up, and how to look at theories and ideas from different angles.” The depth of knowledge gained is balanced by the flexibility to explore additional areas of interest. “Your knowledge can get super specific, but it’s really up to you how much you choose to learn and what you do with your time.”
Financially, Ren has managed by combining savings, part-time work, and scholarships. “When I first started studying, I was told that for every part-time job you do, you lose a grade. Because I’m a bit older, I can mainly live off my savings with a few hours of dance teaching work on the side. I also got some scholarship money which helped to cover costs—there are a lot of scholarships out there if you look around.” For many students, managing finances can be a major barrier, but Ren emphasises the importance of seeking out funding opportunities.
As someone navigating the PhD journey with a chronic illness, Ren is candid about the difficulties, but also hopeful. “I don't want to downplay how unbelievably hard it is to have a chronic illness and do the PhD because it really does suck. But the more people who are disabled that go and advocate for themselves, the better it's going to be.” Ren is passionate about encouraging others with disabilities to pursue academic goals, believing that representation and self-advocacy can change the system for the better. “I want more people who are disabled to try and do these things because it is definitely doable—look at me, I’m here, and if I can do it, you can too.”
Ren’s advice for prospective PhD students is grounded and realistic. “Just make sure you pick a topic you like, find a supervisor you get along with, put in the hard work, and it will all be worth it.” For them, the journey has been about finding a path that aligns with both their interests and their personal needs, proving that success in postgraduate study is as much about adaptability as it is about academic ability.