quirkycase

Thanks for the link, beefgallo! I'll definitely check those notes out; they should be really helpful.

Right now I have three main goals: Goal 1 State Goal: Enhance my knowledge of basic linguistics. How does this goal link to career growth and/or personal performance? I'm switching fields for my MA, so I have very little background in linguistics. Hopefully gaining a stronger base will help me transition easier. How will it be measured? Lots and lots of reading. Goal 2 State Goal: Brush up on my Korean. How does this goal link to career growth and/or personal performance? Hopefully it will help me place into higher level classes so I can progress further in the course of my program. How will it be measured? Mostly by reviewing materials I already have. Goal 3 State Goal: Start a detailed budget. How does this goal link to career growth and/or personal performance? I need to get in the habit of paying careful attention to my finances, as I have an extremely low cost of living now and don't follow a strict budget. As a grad student, I'll be completely broke, making it much more important that I monitor my spending.

Thanks for the detailed reply, fuzzylogician! I have emailed the department already, as you suggested, but I got an out-of-office autoreply, and I have no idea when I'll hear back. Plus, I've heard that the school isn't necessarily prompt about responses, which is why I thought I would post here as well. I just read back over my original post and realized I didn't say this, but I will be attending grad school in the UK. I am doing a two-year taught MA program that combines linguistics with intensive language study (Korean). My program doesn't start until the end of September, and I don't think I will find out which courses I will be taking for quite a while. The only two courses I am pretty sure I will be taking early on are Phonology and Syntax. The rest is up in the air. This was my thought process as well. The course doesn't require a background in linguistics, so I know I should be okay, but I would prefer to make it a little easier on myself if possible. Not only am I starting graduate studies, but I'll be moving to a different country as well. I'd like to minimize stress wherever I can.

Hey, everyone! I will be beginning an MA Linguistics program this fall, but my experience in this field is rather limited as my BA is in Psychology. I took one general linguistics course my last semester of undergrad, but the rest of my experience is more indirect (psychology and philosophy) or self-pursued. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for preparing for an MA program as a linguistics newcomer? I feel severely underprepared, switching fields like this. I plan to revisit the minimal linguistics materials I currently have, but beyond that I’m not sure how to best prepare. Any advice would be appreciated.

I am ridiculously excited for grad school. I’ve been out of college for 3 years now, and I’m more than ready to get back to studying. I really miss the academic environment. September cannot come quickly enough! Same here. I was homeschooled too, and I function much better when I am allowed to be independent. I hate being told exactly what to do and how to do it. Also, I get bored very easily, so I need variety and constant intellectual stimulation. If I am not learning, I get restless. I am SO excited to have access to awesome libraries. I lived in a small town in the US after graduating, and now I live in a small town in Japan. I'll be moving to London for grad school, so libraries definitely won't be an issue anymore

Hi, all. I graduated with my BA in Psychology in 2012. I am currently working as a high school English teacher in Japan, but I will be attending SOAS in London this fall for an MA in Linguistics and Language.

I'm from the US, but I currently live in Japan. As for traveling, I've been to England, Ireland, Italy, Costa Rica, and South Korea.

I'll be 24 when I start my MA this fall.