From working to studying again

by Elaine Jeyakumar

“Going back to school is a time of change and challenges. Even those who are just moving from undergraduate to graduate school will find things are not what they seem .

Hitting the books again? Congratulations for taking another step to improving yourself! But be prepared for the inevitable changes and challenges which will be part and parcel of your venture. The decision to undertake post-graduate studies is not to be made lightly.

The journey calls for much sacrifice, self-discipline and hard work – more so if you are already immersed in the working world. After the researching and decision making that have gone into choosing your post-graduate degree and study mode, etc, you now have to contend with the actual journey and the changes ahead. Some of the major challenges include finances and time management.

Finances In today’s difficult economic arena, finance is a major consideration for any undertaking, and postgraduate studies certainly do not come cheap.

If you are fortunate enough to secure a scholarship or grant, then this will be the least of your concerns. However, for most, post-graduate studies will eat into savings and salaries.

It is vital that you sort out your finances before you embark on your studies. You do not want the added stress of worrying about money on top of all the other things you must handle. This is especially so if you also have other commitments – eg, loans to repay and a family to support. Check out as many funding options as possible. Many institutions offer scholarships, grants and study loans.

financial assistance from the human resource department. Also, contact the various foundations which support continuous personal development and education, or ask financial institutions about loans. You will also need to review your budgeting strategies.

Time This is a key element in everything we do, and for a major undertaking like a post-graduate degree, how you manage your 24 hours each day can either make or break you. The secret to getting things done effectively is not having more hours, but using wisely the hours we have. A post-graduate student has to cope with intense study and research, while some may have additional commitments like a family and a job.

If you plan on continuing working while studying, you will really need to strike a fine balance in all areas of your life. Bear in mind that your post-graduate venture will include course work, research, study, deadlines, projects and classes – all of which will have to be done after working hours and on weekends.

Time management simply means prioritising your daily activities. Analyse how you spend each hour of the day and you may be surprised to find how much time is taken up by ‘wasteful’ activities.

Schedule in all your study activities, eg, lectures, tutorials, etc, for the week and include time to finish projects and course work.

While planning your schedule, make sure to allocate time for family activities and personal leisure. Although entire Saturdays spent at the golf course may have to be eliminated for the moment, do spend some time to exercise and relax. Remember: all work and no play is not a Numerous companies also have special allocations for human resource development which you may be able to tap into. Check with your employer if there is a possibility of

healthy lifestyle. Relaxation and exercise will also make you a more alert student and help you perform better. Wearing different caps Many mature students may have reached managerial positions and efficiently guided subordinates. As a student, the roles are reversed, with you again taking counsel and guidance from lecturers. Use this opportunity to challenge yourself to look at things from the other side of the fence again, to meet the expectations of others, instead of your colleagues meeting your expectations as boss.

It is also an opportunity to bring your work experience into the class room and to apply and share your practical experience with fellow students. This will also teach you to identify and place yourself at different levels so you can relate to more people. At the end of the day, this will make you a better employee and a more rounded person.

If you are going back to full-time study, this will mean a change of pace and environment. Taking yourself out of the work place also means shedding certain responsibilities. It can be a welcome change to just be a student again, without the heavy responsibilities at work. But this round, you have the added advantage of experience to carry with you. For example, at the undergraduate level in business studies, what you studied was mostly theory and covered a more general scope.

At the post-graduate level, you will be more focused and can relate better to what you are learning as you would have had the practical experience of the market place itself.

Handling change or role reversal requires you to understand and accept who you are at any one time in your life and acting accordingly. When you are at work, you put on your working cap as the manager or CEO or whatever position you hold with full confidence of your knowledge and capabilities. In class, you put on the learning cap and switch to study mode, armed with eagerness and enthusiasm, and the humility of knowing that you still have much to learn.

It’s much like the many caps we wear in daily life. We all put on different caps at different times of the day and in our various relationships, and we relate and react accordingly to each one. Study approaches Another change which you will encounter is the approach to your study programme. At undergraduate level, the approach was the teaching method, i.e., you attended lectures and tutorials, and were very much guided on what to do.

As a post-graduate student, the onus is on you. Yes, you will have guidelines on the course requirements and you may even have chosen the taught post-graduate programme. However, aside from the basic guidance and lectures, you will have to take responsibility for the substantial in-depth study and research required. If you are to succeed, it will definitely be up to you and not your lecturers or supervisors. For those with working experience, this will not be much of a ‘culture shock’ because in the work place it is often you who have to take the initiative to get the job done.

Students who move immediately from undergraduate to post-graduate level may need to make some adjustment to cope with the new teaching/learning methods. They will have to be conscious that they are now at a higher level of learning, one which demands different learning skills as they will be very much be on their own instead of being constantly busy with lectures and tutorials. Interaction and integration with fellow students Student interaction at this level will also be different. As undergraduates, fellow students basically all have similar experiences of school and course mates will be all studying the same subjects and working towards the same degree. Classmates at higher levels of learning, on the other hand, bring with them many different experiences. Those with working experience will have their own values and opinions about the world at large. This can be an advantageous learning experience as it is an opportunity to learn from others.

Tact, understanding and patience, as well as acceptance of different ideas and views, are soft skills which you have to call upon or cultivate if you are to contribute towards a harmonious learning environment. These newly honed interpersonal skills will become part of your arsenal in your quest to better yourself and your position in life. Ready, set, go A post-graduate qualification will not only offer you wider opportunities to advance your career, but the entire learning process will be invaluable.

The ultimate key to making this a successful undertaking is, firstly, your personal drive, ambition and goals in life. This will have to be supported by hard work, coupled with the effective management of all the resources you have on hand, the most important being time.

Lastly, you have to approach this phase of your life with a positive attitude and a clear vision. With all these ingredients in place, you can turn your adventure in the post-graduate arena into an enriching and rewarding one.