Written by Emilio (Spain), MSc Applied Mathematics
As I finished my last exam at Imperial, concluding my eighteen-month academic journey, I started reflecting on what I’ve learned in my time here, both academically and personally. My year and a half at Imperial has been a transformative experience that has taught me many things, which I’d like to share with you if you’re thinking about studying at Imperial.
1. Choose your course carefully
Coming from an undergraduate degree in Physics, I started at Imperial in a full-time Pure Mathematics Master’s course. While exploring the modules of the course, I found that I was not as interested in purely theoretical subjects as I was for dynamical systems. Although I knew I didn’t meet the necessary prerequisites for most modules I wanted to sit, I believed that with hard work I could catch up to my peers. However, it became apparent during exam season that it was nearly impossible for me to put in the groundwork needed to pass the pure mathematics module exams.
That’s when I realised that I should follow my interests and switch to the part-time MSc Applied Mathematics course. This decision was difficult but in the long run it allowed me to dedicate another year to studying topics that I was interested in and gave me the time to balance my academic and startup work.
Imperial has so many different courses and modules to choose from, so make sure you do your research into which courses are best suited to you and align with your interests! You can find out more about each course on Imperial’s course pages.
2. Explore your interests
Imperial has a rich and diverse extracurricular activities offering – with over 300 clubs and societies available through the union, there’s something for everyone! I made sure to learn from my undergraduate mistakes and engaged with Imperial’s welcome fairs and got involved with as many society taster sessions I could fit into my schedule. This really helped me decide what societies, groups and communities I was interested in joining.
I also pushed myself to overcome my fear of jumping between societies halfway through term which helped me meet lots more people from across Imperial with a variety of interests. Prioritise having fun during your free time and reward your hard work with recreational activities!
3. Leverage the resources available
Imperial has a wonderful portfolio of resources that can help you build your next big idea: The Enterprise Lab, Advanced Hackspace and robust research infrastructure at Imperial can support you. If you have a vision for a project that could change the world, all you must do is reach out and start engaging.
To find out more about how essential some of the services provided by the Enterprise Lab have been in my entrepreneurial journey, read my other blog post.
Additionally, if you feel like entrepreneurship is not your thing, I’d say to just give it a go. Your Master’s could be the last time you’re provided with the total freedom of being a student, so use the time wisely and take some leaps of faith – you never know where it could lead!
4. When stuck, ask for help
Imperial has been known to have very hardworking students, where beyond their studies, students are also competing in elite sports, starting their own companies or interning at Google. I think this culture appeals to many applicants and it can become incredibly rewarding when you immerse yourself within this environment as it motivates you to do your best and reach your potential.
However, sometimes that one problem refuses to be cracked despite your numerous attempts to solve it, or that football match was particularly awful, or potential investors keep ghosting your emails.
I’ve definitely had a few of these moments and the fear of failing can sometimes put you under unbearable pressure, leading us to isolate ourselves and hide our weakness. But my time at Imperial has taught me that everyone here – students, lecturers, support staff – are incredibly caring, understanding and always willing to help.
Whenever you feel particularly stuck take a moment to look around and ask:
- Your peers – how did you solve question 5?
- Your lecturers – is this module a good fit for me?
- Student services – how can I take better care of my mental health?
I can assure you that everyone will try their best to help and support you – all you need to do is ask.
5. Final lesson: take all the time you need
Doing a Master’s at Imperial can be a quite a nerve-wracking decision to make, with the uncertainty of the challenges ahead scaring many of us away. But I suggest you take the leap forward and join the Imperial community where you’ll find yourself in an entirely unique research and innovation environment.
By staying focused and finding that work–life balance, you can explore all the amazing resources and opportunities at your disposal as an Imperial student. And if one year feels like too much pressure in a short amount of time, don’t forget that there’s lots of options for part-time courses too.
Learning more about a subject you’re passionate about to a level much deeper than any undergraduate course is an incredibly rewarding experience. If I had to give only one piece of advice to someone thinking about studying at Imperial, it’d be to go for it – apply now!
To find out more about my experiences, read my Imperial story.
