Making the decision to further your career by entering a graduate program takes a lot of thought and planning. To reach your career and educational goals, some tips and tricks can help you succeed and get the most out of your program.

Setting Goals

Taking time to set both long and short-term goals will help you make consistent progress through your graduate program. Start by setting long-term goals. These goals will help you identify what you would like to achieve by the completion of the program. They will help provide a clear direction to keep your focus and efforts on reaching your goal. Long-term goals can be identified for the entirety of the program as well as for each semester. Short-term goals are important because they help to break the long-term goals into smaller more manageable steps.

They provide a roadmap to keep you focused on what needs to be accomplished in the near future while providing a sense of direction and purpose. This can increase motivation and productivity by seeing the measurable progress throughout each week, month, course, and semester. Short-term goals can also help with time management. They can help you prioritize tasks as well as manage time more efficiently. Achieving short-term goals can give you a sense of accomplishment that will help build momentum towards achieving your long-term goals.

Networking

Attending graduate school allows you to network with other professionals. This can lead to knowledge sharing, career opportunities, and professional development. Being an active participant in your courses will enable you to get to know and learn from your professors and classmates.

Networking allows you to share your knowledge and learn from other experts in your field. You can exchange ideas and gain insights that can help you in your career. This can also lead to peer collaboration which can help you create more engaging and effective lessons for your students.

Career opportunities are another benefit of networking while in graduate school. You may learn of opportunities within your field that you may not have previously been aware of.

Networking can also help you find new job opportunities or get referrals from someone in your network by meeting and building relationships with your graduate program’s professors and classmates. By connecting with other professionals through networking, you can gain guidance and mentorship to develop your skills and knowledge in your field of study long after the graduate program has ended.

Utilizing Your Resources

Working through a graduate program is a large undertaking. Add in teaching full-time, and you can feel as if there needs to be more hours in a day to complete all that needs to be done. It is important to identify and utilize your resources while attending graduate school. Your resources can consist of family, friends, colleagues, classmates, professors, as well as college resources such as writing centers, academic advisors, and counselors. Identify your support system and be sure to utilize them when needed.

Organization

Organization is key when beginning and working through a graduate program. It is important to organize all aspects of your life before and during a graduate program to be successful. Time management is the most thought about form of organization however, more aspects of organization are required for graduate school success. With good organization skills, you can manage your workload and achieve academic success.

Time management is an important organizational skill. Using a planner and blocking out time to complete tasks will help you prioritize what needs to be done and by when. This will help keep track of classes, assignments, and deadlines. Be sure to include time for studying, research, work, family, self-care and fun.

Set up a filing system. This will include items such as coursework, research, notes, professional articles, teaching materials, etc. When possible, keep digital files for ease of use and organization. This will help save time by having what you need easily accessible at all times.

Create a dedicated workspace that is clear of clutter and distractions. Having a well-lit space with all the supplies you need will provide you with an area where you can focus on your work efficiently.

Self-Care

Arguably the most important tip for success in graduate school is self-care. Graduate students need to maintain their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Attending graduate school can be stressful, especially while also working. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout. Taking time for yourself to have a healthy sleep routine, nutrition, exercise, and engaging in activities you enjoy can improve your overall well-being. Finding a balance that works for you can help you successfully navigate the demands of graduate school.

Why You Should Choose OAESA with Concordia University Chicago for Your Graduate Degree

Choosing OAESA for your graduate degree is the first step in having a successful graduate school experience. The online platform makes it easy to navigate the program during a time that works for you which is very helpful when working full time. The supportive professors are a wealth of knowledge and working through the program with a cohort allows for networking opportunities with other professionals. OAESA also provides many opportunities for support and growth throughout your graduate program and beyond.

Ready to advance your career with a graduate degree? Check out our available graduate programs and get started today!

The post Tips and Tricks for Success in Graduate Programs appeared first on Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators.

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!

The post Balancing Graduate School and Work appeared first on Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators.