Achieving work-life balance with a full-time job can feel stressful enough. Add to that the responsibilities of grad school and it may feel downright impossible. So why bother taking the leap?<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s job market,\u00a0the benefits of a master\u2019s degree<\/a>\u00a0are clear. Not only can a degree help you gain specialized knowledge that advances your career, but it can also make it easier to transition to senior-level positions, increase your earning potential, and enhance your\u00a0professional network<\/a>.<\/p>\n Employers take notice, too.\u00a0According to one report<\/a>, 33 percent of organizations prefer to hire people with master\u2019s degrees for positions typically held by those with only a bachelor\u2019s. That\u2019s great news for degree holders, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an\u00a018 percent increase<\/a>\u00a0in the number of jobs that require a master\u2019s degree over the next three years. Even better: Advanced degree holders will earn an average of\u00a0$1.38 million more<\/a>\u00a0than bachelor\u2019s degree holders over their lifetime.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re still on the fence about deciding to pursue a graduate degree, rest assured that with proper planning and focus, managing grad school and work will be easier than you think. Here are six tips to help you make it happen.<\/p>\n The key to striking a balance among work, grad school, and your personal life is\u00a0finding a program<\/a>\u00a0that best suits your needs\u2014both academically and logistically.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to really research the programs you\u2019re interested in to be sure their goals and objectives meet yours. Gather information both by reading all offered materials and by gaining some first-hand insight into the way the programs operate. To do this, seek out current students and faculty, and ask about their experiences and what you can expect during your time in the program. Keep all your research\u00a0organized<\/a>\u00a0and review it in-depth before making a decision.<\/p>\n Working professionals must take into account their work and personal schedules when considering grad school, as the pursuit of a degree will be a time commitment. However, there are an array of program format options that students can choose from to best align with their availability.<\/p>\n For example, nighttime classes may best complement a nine-to-five job, where those who want added flexibility and minimize commute times\u2014or simply want to explore programs further away\u2014might find that\u00a0online<\/a>\u00a0classes offer the flexibility they need. Universities like Northeastern offer an array of full-time, part-time, online,\u00a0hybrid<\/a>, and on-ground\u00a0graduate programs<\/a>\u00a0to best fit the needs of all working professionals, no matter what those needs may be.<\/p>\n People today pride themselves on their ability to multitask, but research shows that it\u00a0doesn\u2019t actually make us productive<\/a>. In fact, multitasking hinders our ability to get our work done effectively. According to the\u00a0American Psychological Association (APA)<\/a>, jumping from one task to another can actually cause a 40 percent loss in productivity. For this reason, it\u2019s important to know how best to\u00a0manage your time<\/a>\u00a0when balancing graduate school and work.<\/p>\n The most common culprit of stress for grad students is the \u201cplanning fallacy\u201d\u2014or overestimating the time it will take to complete short tasks, and underestimating the time it takes to complete projects. To avoid this, the\u00a0APA suggests<\/a>\u00a0keeping track of how you spend your time. Account for every hour in your week, whether it\u2019s showering, working, commuting, cooking, or sleeping. When you need extra time for assignments, review your logbook and reprioritize.<\/p>\n After tracking how you spend your time, it becomes easier to establish clear boundaries, which can help with time management, as well. Map out a schedule that works with your prior commitments the night before and stick to it. If you allot 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for coursework, for example, don\u2019t start late at 7:30 p.m. Likewise, resist the urge to burn 10 minutes by checking email or social media during your dedicated study periods. If you need extra help staying on-task, there are a variety of\u00a0mobile and desktop applications<\/a>\u00a0that will let you block certain sites for a period of time to stop you from procrastinating.<\/p>\n Joe Griffin<\/a>, Associate Vice President of Business Development and associate teaching professor in the\u00a0Master of Science in Project Management<\/a>\u00a0program at Northeastern, suggests that, to balance work and school, grad students should identify risks, analyze them, then plan a risk response strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cThis could be as simple as realizing you don\u2019t work well at night,\u201d he says. \u201cPlan a coursework strategy that mitigates the risk of unproductivity. Set aside time in the morning for working and let people know that is \u2018your\u2019 time. Set up a process that works for you\u2014even if it\u2019s at 2 a.m.\u2014and stick to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Experts say that utilizing all three of these suggestions\u2014knowing how to avoid planning fallacies, establishing study boundaries, and practicing risk management\u2014will help you manage your time better and achieve that optimum work-life balance.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>In some instances, it\u2019s important to keep your career and school work separate: You shouldn\u2019t check work email during class, and you shouldn\u2019t complete assignments during work hours. In the right situations, however, combining the two can actually be beneficial and ultimately save you time and energy.<\/p>\n Likely your professional work and your studies are closely related, so when you\u2019re assigned projects in graduate school, consider how they may relate or could be applied to your current job. Perhaps there\u2019s an opportunity to highlight a case study at work or brainstorm ways to develop new processes or workflows within your department.<\/p>\n Putting your coursework into practice or tying your work to your assignments will allow you to better understand the parallels in what you\u2019re learning, a practice which will come in handy post-graduation, as well.<\/p>\n It\u2019s tempting to prioritize grad school responsibilities over everything else in your life\u2014it can feel like a lofty, expensive commitment that deserves top billing in your day. When you\u2019re learning how to make time management work for you, though, it\u2019s important not to forget to take breaks for yourself.<\/p>\n This might mean spending an hour reading a book you enjoy, going for a walk, or zoning out while watching TV. No matter what that \u201cbreak\u201d looks like to you, though, your brain needs this the time to unplug. Then, when you return to your responsibilities, you will be able to do so with a more energized and refreshed mindset.<\/p>\n Managing grad school, work, and your personal responsibilities alone won\u2019t be easy. Be candid and upfront with your friends and family about your new schedule, and learn when to ask for help. These key people in your life\u2014including your coworkers and supervisors\u2014should be informed of any conflicts that may arise due to coursework or study times. Maintain an open line of communication with them in order to keep your relationships from becoming strained due to this added layer to your life.<\/p>\n Your network<\/a>\u00a0extends beyond those people closest to you, however. Lean on classmates and faculty who can best relate to grad school experience. Knowing you can reach out to them when you\u2019re struggling with a concept or assignment will help ease your mind when you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed. Just remember to return the favor, and be helpful and open to others who may be experiencing the same struggles.<\/p>\n Creating and maintaining effective relationships\u2014both personally and professionally\u2014takes work, but doing so can have a lasting positive effect on your grad school experience, and make balancing school work with your career a lot more bearable.<\/p>\nGrad School or Work: 6 Tips for Balancing Both<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Pick The Right Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Finding a Program That\u2019s an Academic Fit<\/h4>\n
Finding a Program That\u2019s a Logistical Fit<\/h4>\n
2. Manage Your Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Avoid the \u201cPlanning Fallacy\u201d<\/h4>\n
Practice Risk Management<\/h4>\n
3. Find ways to Apply Coursework to Your Career<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Make Time for Yourself<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Tap Your Network For Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Real-World Example:\u00a0<\/strong>Scott Whear, a grad student pursuing his\u00a0Master of Science in Project Management<\/a>\u00a0degree at Northeastern, was worried that pursuing a graduate degree would be\u00a0difficult and stressful<\/a>, but quickly learned that, with the right support system in place, it didn\u2019t have to be. \u201cWith all the resources and committed staff that Northeastern has, you\u2019re getting the cream of the crop to help you every step of the way,\u201d he says.<\/h6>\n<\/blockquote>\n
6. Keep Your End Goal in Mind<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n