As you prepare to apply to a Master’s in Education program, you likely are already thinking about how to balance the many different areas of your life. You will be a student, likely be working at the same, and have family obligations. How do you balance these and still have time for yourself? It is possible, and here are some suggestions to help you make it happen.
Consider an online M.Ed.
Among the words of wisdom that you receive from teachers, there will likely be at least one person explaining how much they appreciated being able to get their graduate degree online. For example, the Merrimack College online master’s in education has a flexible format that allows you to complete the coursework within a schedule that fits your lifestyle.
For those who want to continue to work while getting a Master’s in Education, an online program is often more suitable than in-person courses. Rather than having to attend classes at a certain time, as well as traveling to the physical campus, you can complete the projects and study late at night, early morning, or any other time that suits you.
Maximize your time
Graduate school requires focus and a lot of time to study texts, read research, and write assignments. While you likely have fewer courses than you did when an undergrad, you will have more in-depth projects now.
Thus, it is important to organize your time to make the most of it. For example, fit study time into your commute or put in a half-hour of writing time for the next paper on your work break. Making the most of these small chunks of time can be the difference between an overwhelming week and one that you feel in control of the whole time.
Rather than leaving school deadlines until the last minute, plan so that you have less pressure on you. Then you can relax with your family in those final hours before the project is due, rather than pulling an all-nighter to get it done.
Find out what other teachers have done
To help you get through this busy time in life as smoothly as possible, ask teachers you know about their M.Ed. experience. Ask them what was helpful for balancing a full-time job with the grad program.
They are likely to have sage advice to pass onto you. While not all suggestions are ones that will work for you, hopefully, you’ll come away from the conversation with at least one study strategy that can help you, based on the experience of someone who went through a similar experience.
Likely at least one person will tell you how much they value the degree, which will help motivate you as a student. Getting a Master’s in Education can open many teaching opportunities.
Final tip: Move deadlines up a day
A great way to free up some time with family and friends is to move a school deadline up a day in your calendar. When you do so, you can expect to finish the assignment a day early, which gives you the opportunity to see loved ones and to unwind. Take this free time to assess how far you’ve come in your educational journey and think about the great experiences ahead in the teaching field.
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