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Key Takeaways:

• Set priorities and make a schedule for schoolwork and work commitments.
• Use support systems such as family members, friends, mentors, pets, etc.
• Take care of yourself by eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and enjoying your hobbies.
• Get organized with planners or project management software to track deadlines and assignments.

Are you considering attending graduate school while working full-time? If so, you are not alone! Many people – including myself, a full-time integrated marketing specialist at the Detroit Regional Chamber and a student at the University of Florida – find themselves in this situation. It can be challenging to balance the demands of work and school, but it is definitely possible to succeed (all while keeping a semblance of a life!)–– if you are organized and motivated. In this blog post, I will discuss some tips for successfully juggling these two commitments. Let’s get started!

Set Priorities ✍🏾

Before diving into graduate school, take the time to consider what your most important priorities are. Make a list of both short-term and long-term goals so that you can easily stay on track. Remember that some things may have to be put on hold while others need more attention, so it’s important to be realistic about what can be achieved.

How I do it: Using myself as an example, I love to travel, but I knew going into grad school that I would not be able to do it as much. Why? One, school is expensive! Two, I don’t have as much time between working, going to school, and still trying to have a life outside of that. I had to prioritize school over traveling often. Nonetheless, I still do it! I just have to plan, plan, plan.

Make a Schedule 📆

Coming up with a plan for when and how you will complete tasks is key to keeping your workload manageable. Allocate time each day or week for studying, completing assignments, and working on projects. You should also plan time to rest, relax, and socialize so that you don’t get too overwhelmed by the demands of both graduate school and work.

How I do it: Because I attend graduate school online, my schedule is asynchronous. Lucky for me, this means I can be flexible when I complete my assignments! Because I know that discussion posts are generally due by Thursday, with other assignments due on Sunday, I carve out time on Wednesdays and Sundays to complete them all!

Use Your Support Systems 👥

Don’t be afraid to lean on family members, friends, colleagues, mentors, or other professionals who may be able to provide support and guidance throughout your journey. Knowing that you have people in your corner who believe in you can help motivate you when things get tough.

How I do it: I could not imagine completing this program without my support systems! This includes my family, friends, (pets 😉), and even my coworkers. Also, because I work in marketing while getting a master’s in mass communications specializing in digital strategy, I can leverage my professional network to help with my assignments, which is super helpful!

Take Care of Yourself 🧘🏾‍♀️

Staying healthy is essential when you are juggling two major commitments. Be sure to eat right, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep so that your mind and body can handle the workload. It’s also important to keep up with any medical or mental health appointments to ensure you stay on top of things.

How I do it: I fear getting burned out, so I do what I can to not get there. I make sure I carve out time to take a walk with my dog, spend time with my cats, work out, eat, sleep, and even do nothing to ensure I can keep up – self-care is important!

Get Organized 💻

Having a system for tracking deadlines, assignments, notes, and other important documents will make it easier for you to stay on top of everything you have going on. Invest in some good planners or project management software if needed — it’ll be worth it!

How I do it: ClickUp! I thrive on it, both for work and graduate school. Alternatively, Trello is an excellent platform that I used as an undergrad. I like to set up my due dates, upload assignment information, and anything else I need to keep track of and complete my assignments.

Attending graduate school while working full-time is definitely an ambitious endeavor but one that could be incredibly rewarding. If you stay organized, prioritize your tasks, and use support systems, success is within reach! With the right planning and preparation, you can find a way to manage both commitments effectively.

Written by Krishaun Burns, Let’s Detroit