So we’re back again for the fifth edition of these Postgraduate Teaching Diaries! If you’re interested, you can find the previous four instalments below:

• Entry 1: first classes

• Entry 2: placement

• Entry 3: first semester done!

• Entry 4: semester break

I’m now about five weeks through Semester 2, so I have some more experiences to share! Here are a few reflections so far.

New classes, new content

I have four new subjects this semester. Three of them could be considered continuations of units from Semester 1. The fourth unit is new entirely. I’ve managed to squeeze all of my classes across two days per week (as opposed to three days per week last semester).

I think I’ve found the content easier to tackle this semester, now that I’m armed with knowledge from Semester 1. Even things like knowing what terminology to use for certain concepts is really helpful, and makes you feel a bit more like you belong in the faculty.

Changing units is also interesting because you get to know new people. This is something I’ve historically not been good at at all. In a previous edition, however, I spoke about how this degree feels a lot more like I’m progressing as part of a cohort, and this semester has solidified that feeling; between last semester and this semester, I feel like I know a lot of peers at least by sight.

An early assessment block

Placement for this semester (more on that shortly) was scheduled earlier in the semester this time around. I’m not exactly sure why that’s the case - perhaps it’s to do with school holiday dates, or perhaps the first placement block was a little later in Semester 1 to give us more time to settle in.

Regardless, that means that the first block of assessment due dates is also earlier in the semester. Each of my units has two major assessments (no exams), with one falling before placement, and the other after. It’s currently Week 5, and this is the crunch week for the first assessment block - they all seem to be due around the same time!

With everything coming at once, it’s really highlighted (again) the importance of being on top of due dates, and starting assessments as early as possible. Making an early start on readings and the like was helpful (more on that concept here), because it’s meant I’ve been able to focus on assessments the last couple of weeks without feeling like I needed to catch up on readings and lectures. It would have been really hard to try to do both (complete the assessments and catch up on course material).

I haven’t quite finished all of the assessments yet, but I hope to have by the end of the week, because placement starts on Monday!

Placement… again!

It feels like it’s crept up for sure, but my second round of placement begins next week. It’s longer this time (three weeks instead of two), and at a different school. That’s good, because it means more varied experiences, but it’s also a little scary, because there’ll be a whole new environment to get used to!

I was sent an email with my placement school a few weeks ago. It will all start happening next week, though, and I look forward to getting through that three-week placement block and providing the next update!