Post (Natal) Digital Master Depression
Lessons Learned 3: YOU WILL MISS IT
One week ago I graduated
and now you are probably wondering why I still post but the blog is called „Living the Online Master“ and I am living (with) it so once in a while you will hear from me again- sorry by getting on your nerves 
So what happened after our Graduation?
- I received a nice email from an IE Master student send to me at 5 am in the morning stating “Now I know why you needed chocolate- I am currently having a brioche and try to finish my paper….”
- I received an emergency Skype call from a New Digital Master Student: “I don’t understand this subject and the book still did not arrive- and I have a test tomorrow-can you explain?”
- I received an email from my former student mate stating: “How are you back in “After master life”? I am having a Post Digital Master Depression”
- I received a mail from IE asking me for assisting in an Alumni project (I will write about it as soon as the project is live) because I was officially named as the “Alumni President MDAC2009” and as you can see I am taking this title very serious:
I don’t have a good sleep since I am back from Madrid. Can you believe this? I am solving case studies every night. It’s like my “Super-Ego” (Freud) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Freud
=Master-Super-Ego is fighting with my “It” and tries me to convince not to stop thinking about the Master.
Which leads me to another problem how should I loose my Master weight if I still studying every night and need to have tons of Chocolate?
Don’t know but one of the most important things I learned during the last 13 months is to solve problems and to monetize digital projects. So lets see maybe tonight I am dreaming about a great digital business idea which involves some of my “excess baggage”
and how to monetize it Remember Mr. Berlusconi’s fat becoming Soap? http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1424471.html
Good Night and Good Luck from Switzerland
Michaela
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Ok I was participating a Master in English but I have to admit I was sometimes quite frustrated not to be able to understand my fellows or the inhabitants of Madrid.
The second intake is much more diversified (90% foreigners) but in my class 90% spoke Spanish. So you can imagine that if emotions went up or secrets got shared they moved into their language. Not by purpose just a normal behavior as I would do too. It was interesting to see how much you can understand as a foreigner not speaking the language just by watching body-language, feeling emotions and concentrating on expressions. I definitively learned a lot.
But there are still many people in Madrid who do not speak English (unfortunable) and in the long hand its not fun to sit in a restaurant unable to order or to try to get internet access in your apartement from a weared reception guy. Its also not fun to follow your new friends on twitter and they tweet in spanish and I am so curiousssssssssss- common I am a woman- its in my genes;)
Ok I only had two residential periods here but I would have love to be able to integrate even more.
Therefore in my free time after the Master- I WILL LEARN SPANISH
Greetings from Madrid
Michaela
My faces when trying to understand the world around me:
Lessons learned: 1. Organization
Back in Madrid- fantastic weather, more fantastic to see everyone offline again-mixed feelings:
- We are tired
- We are proud
- We are happy
- We are sad
Exactly one year ago we started with the first residential period and now 13 months gone like nothing.
I met one girl from the new intake last night for dinner and it is interesting to see how different they are compared to us. I would say much more serious- more nervous and tensed. But maybe it’s just because we are now quite relaxed compared to them. We know we have the most difficult part behind us and there are just some little steps to go.
So for all of you who just started don’t worry you will make it.
In case you feel a bit lost, pressured and anxious I suggest the following general advice:
- Structure yourself- I have to say one of the most important things I got out of the Master is how to organize myself better- now I am so organized and structured that one of my Master colleagues even called me “German Police” last time as I ask to be more structured ha-ha
- Find the courage to skip things- now I can admit it because the subject is over- I never read the Marketing Book we received I just picked some structures out of it (Sorry Maria)
- Learn to prioritize (concentrate more on subjects who are difficult and show the professors that you have problems with it but that you try they will not cut your head off – promised – they are all very helpful)
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help- i.e. send me a mail if you have problems with the Master in Digital Marketing I am happy to support you
- Talk to Marta she is fantastic
- If you think it’s too much and can’t stand it anymore have a break- eat a KitKat or just have a beer.
Greetings from sunny Madrid
Michaela
It’s almost a week since I posted my last blog and that’s mainly because I have been working so hard I haven’t had time until today.
Before I started the course I wasn’t sure how I would manage to balance work, personal life and study; being honest I think the main thing I do less of now is watch TV! The course has to be stimulating for the brain, so perhaps I can now also give up the Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training on my Nintendo DS or perhaps not as I may now be able to recapture my youth and return my brain age to 20-something!
The classes on line take a bit of getting used to, but actually they are really good. For example I have noticed that some people who didn’t speak much in a large class of people are making excellent contributions to the on-line discussions.
The discussion board (DB) is very addictive though and I am finding that the first thing I do when returning from a meeting or if I have a spare moment is to access the DB. Partly, so that I’m not left with lots of posts to read at once, but also because I’m interested to see what everyone thinks.
The professors are very experienced at directing discussions and as a learning tool they are good because you can also go back and review the comments as they are in hard copy, which would not be possible if we were in a class and making the comments verbally.
Well I’m off to get my DB “fix”, see you next week!
I think I’m getting a very serious disease… It is just 4 weeks to I finish the MBA and I’m already missing it… why?? I’ve been suffering a lot!
I’ve been through 2 accountabilities, I don’t know how many strategies, 2 financial subjects… I’ve been sleeping less than 6 hours a day, eating like an obsess and missing my friends’ parties and meetings… but still… I WILL MISS IT A LOT!!
Sorry guys… I have to go to the doctor… this must be very serious! Talk to you when I enroll in the next program… LOL
Cheers
Virginia
PS: We have a PARTY the 2nd of APRIL in Madrid just to celebrate that we finish our classes, you are more than welcome if you want to join; there will be also some professors and people from other intakes that will join us! If you are interested send me an email we will be glad to meet you as well!
PS2: I think what I will miss specially is my colleagues…
