Tips for Grads: Master's degree vs. full-time job - How to do both
Personal Effectiveness
Pursuing your master’s degree while balancing a full-time job, social life, and family obligations takes strategic planning in all aspects of your life. Use these three tips to help lighten your workload and manage your commitments.
- Plan ahead. You know to schedule blocks of time throughout the week to focus on school, but be sure to look at your longer term class schedule as well. If you’re considering using paid time off around final exams or while working on an important project, make sure to set that PTO aside so it’s available when you need it. Keep your calendar up to date, and be sure to get approvals ahead of time.
- Gather support. You’ve likely talked extensively with your immediate family about your education goals, but you may also want to include your manager and coworkers. Whether your employer is funding your education or not, be prepared to answer their questions and share your learning plan.
- Find your 25th hour. There may be only 24 hours in a day, but there are likely moments within them you can put to use. Whether it’s listening to a lecture on your commute, sneaking in study time on your lunch break or streamlining errands, capitalizing on these small periods of time can lessen your workload throughout the day. You may also consider waking up an hour earlier to take advantage of the quiet time before the sun rises.