Preparing to return to study as a postgraduate
If you're returning to study, it can be difficult to hand your free time over to classes and assessments, especially if you’re already managing a busy schedule. Whether you’re beginning your studies a little later in life or you’re entering a postgraduate degree, it’s likely that you will face similar issues. Even postgraduates who are just months out of their first degree can find it difficult to adjust to a new teaching style and new content.
Be prepared to make sacrifices
Although the benefits of further study tend to outweigh any sacrifices made, you may find that you'll need to make some changes to your lifestyle when you begin your course. Some of these may be short-term sacrifices, such as committing to attend Saturday classes for a semester (which is common in postgraduate courses) or larger sacrifices, such as cutting back on paid work to study full time. You should also be prepared for assessment periods and know that they will be tough on your schedule, if you're involved in a group project, keep in mind that you may need to attend group meetings after hours or over the weekend and that you will need to work around your classmates' availability.
Look out for flexible options
Finding a flexible option can make a world of difference. This might mean finding an undergraduate course that offers night classes to accommodate students working full time or seeking out a postgraduate program that offers online study options. It’s worth looking into fast-track options too, as these can significantly cut down the length of your course. Some institutions offer optional summer or winter semesters, which usually involve completing an extra subject over an intensive period (perhaps two nights per week for half the length of a regular semester); others offer a trimester model, which involves the institution running on a three-semester schedule by default. If you’re lucky, an intensive subject might see you travelling overseas for a study tour.
Gain the support of those around you
This includes family, friends and your employer, as well as recognising the support available from your institution. It helps to explain why pursuing study is important to you and how it may affect these other parties. You may need to arrange to leave work an hour early one day a week, make alternative childcare arrangements a few nights per week or make sure friends understand that you might not be able to catch up during peak assessment periods. You should also look into your institution's support services, which include anything from academic counselling to financial assistance and child care. See Student services and facilities for more information.
Keep your expectations realistic
It’s easy to set high expectations of yourself, but it can be difficult to maintain them. This is especially the case if you are combining work with study. There may also be circumstances you can’t control, perhaps one of your subjects is known for very rarely giving out high distinctions or, despite your best efforts, you just weren't able to wrap your head around a particular topic. Whatever the reason, do not despair if your marks are less than perfect! Tertiary education is all about learning, so you're not expected to know everything from the outset.
