Deciding which career path to pursue can be a daunting task, especially if you (like many of us) were guided to make a decision aged 16! It felt as though whatever profession we chose, would be a lifelong endeavour and something we’d have to stay committed to once our decision was made. However of course, many of us in our 20’s and 30’s (and beyond) now know that not to be the case. It’s very normal (and exciting) to decide to change career paths further down the line, or even to boost your skillset as you swerve into slightly different workplace roles!
Advancing your skills, knowledge and career prospects is undoubtably rewarding in the long run – but in the short term, you may find yourself balancing study and a full time job – so it’s important to think about how you might be able to make everything work! Here are a few things to consider:
Understanding the commitment:
With the average number of study hours totalling 35-40 hours per week – postgraduate courses, are undoubtedly a massive time investment. Even if you’re looking for a part-time course, you may still be looking at 15-20 hours a week. Knowing this may help you make a realistic decision about whether study will fit into your schedule alongside your other work and family responsibilities.
Find a flexible course:
It’s worth doing plenty of research to ensure you choose a course provider that offers flexibility in terms of study and schedule. Online or blended learning might suit your schedule best – and some courses even offer paced or modular courses where you can pause your studies if you need to. Take time to look through your options and consider the support that is offered. Say you’re a dental professional looking for orthodontic courses to boost your skillset, it may be worth looking for orthodontic training that is flexible with additional and timely support.
Create a study schedule:
Once you’ve enrolled, creating a realistic schedule can be key to ensuring you find the most practical windows of time to dedicate to study. If time is already pretty tight, maybe even get creative. Could you use your lunch break to study or perhaps even look at course materials during your commute? Are you most productive in the mornings or evenings? Remember to factor in breaks too!
Hone your time management skills:
Often when we have a to do list as long as our arm, we can procrastinate and delay getting anything done! Break things down into manageable chunks and give yourself set tasks to tune your focus. Whether it’s ‘read for an hour’ or ‘proof read your essay for 20 minutes’, setting yourself specific goals with time stamps can help keep you on track!
Take care of your wellbeing:
Studying can be overwhelming, lonely and energy-sapping from time to time, so try to recognise when you may be in need of a break, a little bit of moral support, a bit of me-time or some down time. Try not to spread yourself too thin – even if that may seem like an impossible statement at times. If you can, try to balance your work and study with activities that nourish your body and mind. Get some fresh air and go for a walk, indulge in cooking a wholesome but delicious meal or run yourself a hot bath!
Whatever your study goals, I wish you all of the best of luck – take care!
