PG Poutama STEPPS Online Site - Student Tools for Effective Preparation for Postgraduate Success - Preparation Tools pages - Self as a Learner Questions 1-5

Don't forget to take a deep breath and stay calm

No one ever feels 100% prepared for postgraduate study. But you can feel more prepared by looking up a bit of information, trying a few tasks and finding the details of key contact people who are there to help you once you begin your study.

If you don't like working alone, why not discuss your preparation with a colleague at work, an education coordinator (if you have one) or friends or whānau?

If you have any concerns regarding your study journey ahead, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our faculty MAPAS postgraduate student advisor. They can assist with academic and pastoral concerns and help with your enrolment issues. They are here to help you make the best start in your postgraduate journey with us.

Find our contact details in the next tab: "Worried? - Talk with us".

You can watch the following 2 minute video by Gemma - a postgraduate School of Population Health student who shares her experiences and advice about beginning postgraduate study.

Gemma - Postgraduate student in School of Population Health sharing her experiences and advice for other Māori and Pacific students beginning postgraduate study.

[11.1 MB]

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A faculty person can be contacted for any questions you may have as you get ready for your first semester of study.

The following contacts can help you and can be contacted by phone or email:

MAPAS (Māori and Pacific) Student Support Advisors
	MAPAS Postgraduate Student Support Advisor Phone 09 923 8324 or 0800 20 20 99 option 6
	MAPAS Email: mapaspg@auckland.ac.nz
Student Centre Advisors at the Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
	Phone +64 9 923 2760
	Email stepps.fmhs@auckland.ac.nz
Come visit us and talk with us in person
	Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Student Centre Grafton Campus, Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 85 Park Road, Ground floor, Building 503, Grafton, Auckland
	Tāmaki Campus, Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Innovation Campus, School of Population Health, Corner of Merton and Morrin Roads, Building 730, Glen Innes, Auckland

If you are uncertain of your motivations for pursuing postgraduate study, consider having a conversation with a trusted work colleague, an education coordinator (if you have one) or a friend and ask yourself the following questions:

Am I clear about my reasons for study?

Will these motivations see me through the busy work ahead juggling study, work and life commitments?

Do I have support from work, family and/or whānau to help me to keep motivated when times may get busy/challenging in my study?

Am I prepared to experience new challenges that may arise through my study and stick with it?

Is this the right time in my life (at home, at work, in my community commitments, personally, professionally) to pursue post-graduate study?

If you are unsure about a number of the questions above, you may find it helps to discuss your motivations with someone who you trust. Perhaps they can help you work out if postgraduate study is right for you at this time in your life - this could be whānau, a manager at work, or a colleague or friend.

You might also find it helpful to discuss your intended programme of study with one of our faculty support people. Our staff can discuss some of the benefits of postgraduate study and talk to you about ways you may be able to think about any concerns you might have or commitments that might be barriers to your study at the moment.

While considering or transitioning into postgraduate studies, it is always helpful to get some tips to help you start off the journey positively. The following advice comes from past and current Māori & Pacific Island postgraduate students they believe will help you along the way.

Build up a small, reliable network of support in your first month of study to help you with the big journey ahead. Make contact with a person or group who will best support you if want to extend your network of support in your study.

Never be shy or ashamed to ask for help or to ask questions. The only way to understand content is to question until it makes sense. Help is always offered whether it be through your course coordinators, MAPAS or the wider university services – use all avenues available to you, they are there to help!

Talk with family about your study goals and how your feeling. This provides not only an opportunity for discussion to stimulate and solidify your learning but to make them aware of what it is you're doing. They will better understand when you're having your little moments of stress or find that you're glued to a computer screen at certain times of the day.

There are a range of Māori and Pacific staff and students who you can connect with for support, encouragement and a sense of community within the university.

Key Support People in FMHS and the wider University of Auckland

MAPAS Postgraduate (PG) Support

MAPAS Postgraduate Support provides academic and pastoral support for Māori and Pacific students who are studying in postgraduate programmes within the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. Our goal is to support MAPAS postgraduate students through their cultural and educational journey to successfully complete and graduate.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible for MAPAS if you:

1. Have verified indigenous New Zealand Maori or Pacific Whakapapa/ancestry and,

2. Are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand and,

3. Have applied for entry into a postgraduate FMHZ programme.

How do I become a MAPAS PG Student?

To become a MAPAS student you must:

1. Go to www.auckland.ac.nz/applynow and complete an online application for admission to your programme of choice by the closing date set by the programme.

2. Submit a Mapas PG registration form. See: www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/mapasforms by the due date outlined on the form.

3. You will be notified via your student email to confirm your registration with MAPAS PG Support.

MAPAS Postgraduate Student Support Advisor

Phone: 027 836 5166 or 0800 20 20 99 option 6

Email: mapaspg@auckland.ac.nz

Te Fale Pouāwhina (TFP) - Support for Pacific and Māori Students

Te Fale Pouāwhina (TFP) provides a friendly and professional service based on kaupapa Māori and Pacific principles. Māori and Pacific Learning Advisors are passionate about Māori and Pacific student success. The focus is on academic skills development at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. TFP Learning Advisors work with a range of Māori and Pacific services across the University. Face-to-face learning opportunities include workshops, study groups, wānanga/fono and advisory sessions.

Visit the TFP Team at: http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/services/student-learning/tfp

TFP Student Learning Advisor: Matt Tarawa

Email: m.tarawa@auckland.ac.nz

Phone: +64 9 923 8608

TFP Student Learning Advisor: Mona O'Shea

Email: m.oshea@auckland.ac.nz

Phone: +64 9 923 8970

Connect with wider Māori and Pacific Networks

Māori students - networks and information

Haere Mai Me nekeneke! Me nukunuku! Tēnei te tai o Waitemata, e hora nei. Me he pipiwharauroa kei tua Takoto te pai! Takoto te pai!

Visit the University of Auckland's main website for Māori students and watch a one minute video to meet your Kaitakawaenga Māori - Māori Liaison Officer.

Pacific students - networks and information

Malo, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Kia Orana, Malo e Lelei, Bula Vinaka, Talofa Lava, and warm Pacific greetings.

Visit the University of Auckland's main website for students from Pacific cultures and watch a one minute video to meet your Pacific Equity Advisor.

Financial networks available to Māori and Pacific Postgraduate Students

Māori and Pacific Postgraduate scholarships

To find out more about scholarships and support that may be available to you as a Māori or Pacific postgraduate student, visit the University's postgraduate site for Maori and Pacific students or follow the links below:

Home Page	Reflective Questionnaire	Preparation Tools
Downloadable Resources	Guiding Framework	Contact Us
How the Site Works

Essential resources - feeling less prepared

Help! Where do I begin?

Worried? - Talk with us

Thinking about motivations

Advice from Māori and Pacific postgraduate students

Support people here for you

Optional resources - feeling somewhat prepared

Not sure what admission and enrolment mean?

Extra resources - feeling mostly prepared

Interested to know more about your programme?

Questions to Record