For many of us that want to further our careers, we need to gain a master’s degree to do so. This can be an extremely demanding time, and it is all too easy to let everything get on top of you.
What you must remember is that it won’t be forever, and you will gain a better role, climb the career ladder, and receive a better wage at the end. If you are choosing to do a master’s degree, or you are considering studying for one, here is how you can still find that work life balance.
Work Better
When studying, it is best to find a way of working that means you will get things done and retain the information. There is no use in spending days studying with your friend if you both procrastinate and get nothing done. While it can be fun studying with friends, you will both get more frustrated and stressed if you haven’t done what you need to on time.
The amount of time you spend studying means nothing if you aren’t doing it right. Actually, it may be that you retain much more information working in small bursts than staring at the same book for 13 hours straight.
This is why you must choose the opportune moments to work and work efficiently. If you did the bare minimum to get by in your first degree, now is the time to change that mindset and look at planning and implementing times where you will work.
Doing a master’s degree means you need to find ways to work better, such as finding key articles that will aid in your project, rather than picking up the first book and trying to cram it all into your brain within a day. You should also discover how you best work, whether this be through watching videos, reading and reciting text, or through the use of diagrams.
Every person has a time in which they work their best; some of us are early risers while others work into the night. If being up until 2 am works for you, then do so.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is so important to maintaining your mental well-being and being able to do your best work. If you haven’t gotten enough sleep, chances are you are going to be too tired at work or too tired to study, therefore you will not get what you needed out of the day. Aiming for 8 hours is ideal, but anywhere between 6 and 8 is good for most people.
Try not to stress too much and if you are struggling to sleep, make sure that you follow a routine and switch off electrical appliances at least an hour before bed. You could also try meditation or deep breathing exercises.
Plan
Once you have discovered how to work better, you can then write a weekly schedule, setting times where you will accomplish certain tasks. It may be that you sit down every Sunday evening and look at what you need to achieve the following week.
This way you can plan what needs to be done and when. Completing tasks will provide you with a sense of accomplishment and forming a plan means that you can work around any family events and your job. Always schedule some time for something that relaxes you!
It is all well and good planning, but many students have the best intentions then rarely stick to their plans. If you want a good work life balance, you need to make a schedule AND stick to it as much as possible.
There may be times where you get stuck at work or you’re sick, but don’t use this as an excuse or let yourself down. If you are struggling to find the willpower to stick to a plan, reward yourself with a treat. Get family and friends to give you that boost when you’re lacking in motivation!
Speak to Your Boss
If you are looking to study a master’s that is relevant to your job role, your boss may be likely to give you some office time where you can complete some of your studying. Some companies even help to fund master’s degrees. Having time allocated within your job means more time to spend with your family and less stress. If you need time in university, you may be allowed to have some paid days where you attend lectures.
If working full-time is going to be too difficult, ask to cut down your hours while you study. This may mean tightening your purse strings for a while, but you also need to look after your own health.
Study Online
For those looking to find a perfect work life balance, studying online means no traveling to university and the ability to study wherever you want, whenever you want. Due to this, many mature students are choosing to complete degrees online as they can work easily around their own lives, studying when the children have gone to bed or even on the commute to their job.
Online degrees often have many more intakes in the year rather than just September and provide just as much support as if you were studying in a university. For those who don’t retain information well from lectures, studying online may be a better option and means you can revisit video lectures as many times as needed.
You can study online for almost any career path including business and nursing. For registered nurses looking to further their career, an online degree is ideal, as nursing is a demanding role that doesn’t provide much free time.
These online msn programs give you the ability to gain valuable knowledge and skills in nursing to climb the career ladder and become a leader in healthcare. This can open up many careers including a Clinical Nursing Director and Chief Nursing Officer.
It can be difficult juggling work life alongside studying and your social life, but with a little planning and a lot of motivation, it can be done. If possible, speak with your boss to schedule time in your week to complete projects, or choose an online program that provides you with much more freedom in planning your time effectively.
For a master's degree, you may not need to go through making a fake transcript online, because in many cases, your bachelor's degree transcripts will be sufficient. However, there are some situations in which you may need to provide additional documentation. For example, if you're applying to a highly competitive program, you may need to submit additional transcripts or letters of recommendation. Likewise, if you have any gaps in your educational history, you may need to provide an explanation. In general, however, a bachelor's degree should be all you need to get your foot in the door for a master's program.
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