As anyone who's ever done a postgrad degree can confirm, it's a different beast to your undergrad. By the time you've decided to take on a second degree, you're older, wiser and likely a whole lot more focused.

Here's a few things you can expect:

Specialise, specialise, specialise

Postgrad study will see you focus your time more on the area of expertise in which you wish to specialise. Studying exactly what you want is probably all the motivation you need to put in the hard work.

Increased work ethic

Motivation = improved work ethic. You'll be in lectures and tutorials because you want to be there, and now that you're a little older, your parents won't be nearly as concerned as they once were with your grades and performance. Without anyone breathing down your neck, you'll be free to do as you please, and we know you're going to smash it! ??

Networking

One of the best things about postgrad study – other than getting a degree, of course – is the opportunity to beef up that valuable network you started building in your undergrad days.

You'll be surrounded by people who want to work in the same industry as you. The bonds you'll form with these people will be long-lasting, and ones you'll be able to tap into years down the line. Whether that's by exchanging information with them about the industry, seeking their help when looking for jobs or using them as references for applications, the network you'll leave your postgrad study experience with will be an invaluable one.

Learning from experience

Having completed your undergrad, you'll have a better idea of how you learn. If you're a visual learner, lectures probably won't sink in just by listening to them; be sure to take lots of notes to ensure you're absorbing the information. It sounds straightforward enough, but you'd be surprised at how much easier learning can be once you've identified which style works for you.

A newfound appreciation of a night in

Whether you're still able to back it up two nights in a row or not, you'll probably be partying less than you did in your undergrad days. It's not that you're getting boring, you're just a little bit older and appreciate spending time at home studying with your dog (or cat).