Many factors need to be considered when deciding to begin a graduate program. One of the most important factors is how to find a balance between the demands of work and graduate school. With a little planning and introspection, balancing the demands of work and graduate school can be feasible and rewarding.
Find the Format for You
Start by taking a close look at your weekly schedule and the demands of your job. Does your daily work schedule stay consistent from week to week? Do you have additional duties or work assignments that will potentially take time from your evenings, weekends, or other commitment free time?
Another factor to consider is your work environment’s ebbs and flow. Are there certain times of year that you tend to have higher work demands? Using this information when scheduling classes will be beneficial to help you maintain a healthy balance between work and school demands. If a certain time of year is generally busier than another, you can adjust your course load to help reduce the amount of additional time needed for schoolwork. And during times of less demand from work, you could possibly add a class or take a course that requires a larger time commitment to meet the requirements.
Learning all you can about the graduate program of interest is also important. Read about the courses and speak with your advisor to get a good idea on what the workload will entail throughout the entire program. If you are able to speak with current or past students as well as the professors, you will gain further insight into the courses and the commitment that will be needed to be successful. When speaking with current and past students, remember that everyone has different work habits. Think about how you learn and perform best and how that may look for each of the courses and their individual requirements.
How to Use Your Time Wisely
Organization
Once registered for classes, be sure to get yourself organized. As soon as the syllabus is available, be sure to read through it noting all due dates. This is where using a planner will come in handy. Having access to a digital planner or calendar app on your electronic device will allow you to conveniently access due dates at all times. Another nice feature is that calendar apps allow you to set reminders.
These reminders can help ensure that tasks are not being overlooked and that you are not overbooking yourself. Using a paper planner or desk calendar can also be beneficial. Writing due dates out on a paper planner can help you easily see when assignments are due and give you an opportunity to map out the days and times that you can work on these assignments.
Assignments
Be sure to thoroughly read through the requirements for each assignment. You will find that some will require extensive work over several days. This could include meeting with peers, either in person or virtual, reading, compiling information, or writing. It is beneficial to map out the times that you will work on these tasks so that they are not missed and adequate time is given for each assignment.
Self-Care
Schedule downtime and practice self-care. The hours spent working at a job and focusing on graduate school can take a toll on a person, leading them to burnout. Downtime should be scheduled weekly. Having time to rest and recharge will enable you to keep working on your goals. This will look different for each person however, eating healthy foods, getting adequate sleep, engaging in physical activities, remaining active in hobbies, visiting with family and friends, and resting are all important activities for one to engage in while working and taking graduate courses.
Your Support System
Identify the community that will act as your support system throughout the degree program. People who can be part of your community include but are not limited to family, friends, and colleagues. Be open and honest with those you have identified as part of your support system so that they can help support you as you navigate the need to set boundaries about your availability and work to manage deadlines. Family and friends can help you take care of some of your home life responsibilities giving you more time to work on your classes or enjoy some much-needed revitalizing downtime.
Finding supportive colleagues will also be beneficial because they will be able to help you with work commitments and understand when you cannot take on additional tasks and responsibilities. Finding a colleague who has already worked through a graduate degree can also be extremely helpful as they will be able to help you navigate through the balance between work and graduate school responsibilities.
Deciding to pursue a graduate degree is a big decision that takes a lot of thought. With a little planning, working toward a graduate degree while also working full-time is attainable and rewarding.
Looking to advance your career and continue your education? Check out our available graduate degree programs and get started today!