I received my dissertation proposal feedback last week, and was pleased with the result of my efforts! But no time to relax, for it’s straight onto planning the structure of the dissertation and drafting out the literature review. Add to this a meeting with my PhD supervisors in a week’s time, and the pressure’s on.

For this meeting I’ll need to read around a concept of Malaysia called the Mental Revolution. As of yet, my search results have not been fruitful. Bar applying for an inter-library loan, and contacting an academic in Malaysia (both of which I have done), there is not much to be getting on with in this regard. However, narrowing down the subject of my PhD has resulted in quite the opposite effect: the more I attempt to narrow down my research scope, the more fascinating the information about Malaysia that I read. Whether the ethnic segregation, the motives behind Malaysia’s Vision 2020, the relations between different political parties, or indeed their relations with the West, the more I attempt to narrow down the more I want to write about!

My housemate broke his thumb on a night out a couple of weeks back, and due to the horrendous effects of painkillers mixed with alcohol, he can’t have an enjoyable night out for the time being. So I’ve opted for a voluntary boycott too. Especially during this frantic period before easter. Instead I’ve been enjoying the football (massive congratulations to Zambia for winning the African Cup of Nations; and to AC Milan for battering Arsenal)! Now let’s hope for Spurs to get into either 3rd or 4th spot. Oh, and on that note, for ol’ Harry not to take his dream England job…

Well it’s already 2012, and that means only one thing: I’m in the second of two taught semesters before commencing project work in the summer. How time flies…

I spent more hours than some would consider sane on my dissertation proposal, but after handing it in (and enjoying a week of lounging around doing – well, not much), the (second) hardest part is over. Bar work spent on a couple of research methods assignments and two essays in may, there is ample time to perfect my working-socialising balance.

I’ve always been a believer in the work hard play hard ethos; rewarding good behaviour, if you will. But as the intensity of work increases, it’s often hard to keep this in check. Especially if I hope to join an orchestra in Gateshead. My dad always said to me: ‘Alex, there is no excuse for not having enough time, you need to make time’, and it’s only recently that I have begun to understand what he meant.

For instance, setting my alarm just half an hour earlier gives me an extra half hour in the gym, or out catching up with old school university friends, or – one of my favourite pastimes – meeting new people.

It may not sound so, but with a bit of planning it definitely is possible to enjoy both sides of the university coin. It’s time for Alex 2.0

Ah, to be back at home for christmas. The fully stocked fridge, the comfort of your own bed, and the festive adornments like the fairy lights scattered around the house and the christmas tree in the living room. But is it possible to enjoy christmas and successfully write my dissertation proposal?

The knowledge that christmas is coming, but more so that I have no exams in the january exam season, pushes me to work harder at this time – then there will be no guilt factor later on! I like to set myself a routine, getting up at 9:30 and setting myself two-hour work sessions throughout the day. No matter what, I must work through those two hours. No distractions.

Complete this twice more and I’m finished by five, ready to make a brew and put on Pointless on the telly (I hope geography questions come up). After this time, I disengage my academic brain and think christmas: to-do list for christmas shopping, social events to plan, and so on.

Ways to make work hours more enjoyable? Listen to the good old christmas favourites in the background; make yourself a nice warm drink and have a mince pie; food for thought, if you will. Who said work and festivities can’t mix?

It’s Saturday night, the festive season is upon us, and…my GEO8017 presentation is on Tuesday. So, I thought what better time than this (atypically) quiet evening to reflect upon my Master’s experience so far! As usual, the first two months of the uni year have been characterised by confusion, panic and a realisation of the amount of work this year will involve! But now I’m settling in, getting into a routine (going to the right lectures) and really quite enjoying the Master’s experience.

On the Thursday and Friday of this week, we attended a geographical imaginations conference in Durham. The common issues were discussed: how to manage your time, make use of the support available, how to ‘read’ (of course not in the conventional sense, but in a way that doesn’t cause me to spend upwards of four hours on one paper!), and so on and so forth.

I’ve been in Newcastle since 2008 now, having graduated with a BA in Geography in the summer of this year. I really do love this city – the culture, the people, the nightlife, and living five minutes away from St. James Park can never be a bad thing (I refuse to call it the Sports Direct Arena). But this was one of many factors which influenced me to stay on in Newcastle. I’ll admit to loving the academic side of university life just as much – developing original ideas for essay questions, presenting concepts I’m passionate about, working with my supervisor to get my dissertation underway.

Whenever I get in a fluster, or begin to worry about work commitments, I just take time to remember why I love this subject so much, and hence why I chose to study it for another four years! It’s a real privelege to be a part of.