Should I Pursue an Advanced Degree?
It can be a daunting proposition—more school, more papers and reading, and assignments. But getting a master’s degree can also provide new and exciting opportunities. However, returning to school is not a decision to be taken lightly. Below, we will explore some questions to consider as you think about pursuing an advanced degree.
Do I have time? Grad school is a commitment even if you do it part-time. So, it’s important that you’re honest with yourself about how much time you can devote to it. Remember that at this level, there will be a lot of outside work beyond just what you cover in the classroom when you’re on campus. There may be fieldwork and internships that you’ll have to fit into your schedule in addition to everything else. If you have the time, go for it; if not, it may be something to wait on until you have more flexibility. That said, a lot of people fit it in even though it’s not the most convenient, which leads us to our next question….
Do I have the energy? Having the time to pursue an advanced degree is important, but so is having the energy and vitality to do so. A lot of grad students are working while they’re in school as well as balancing family life, so, again, you’ve got to be brutally honest with yourself and ask if you’ve got the fortitude to take on this challenge. At times, you’ll be tired and overwhelmed so making sure you are healthy and energetic is vital to being able to handle everything.
Do I have the resources? Any type of higher education is expensive, so it’s necessary to be sure that you’ve got the resources you will need to facilitate your return to the academic realm. This is not to say that you need to have the money to pay for everything out of pocket, but, rather, to ensure that you’ve budgeted, explored loans, scholarships, and grants, and made provisions for other expenses like childcare, transportation, textbooks, and the like. Securing the resources you’ll need will make it easier to focus on school and all the other responsibilities that go with it.
Do I have support? It’s important to have the support of those close to you as you return to school. If you’re an older student with a family, you’ll need the support of your significant other and family members to ensure a smooth transition. Even if you’re fresh from your undergraduate studies, the support of your parents, family, and friends will be an important component to your success. Having a community of people to lean on can make an enormous difference for your mental health as you embark on this challenging academic journey.
Am I ready for change? A lot of folks who pursue higher degrees are changing careers, so there can be a bit of shock associated with starting school again after a long layoff. I went for my master’s at age 36, after being out of school for nearly 15 years and I can tell you, it was a huge change. At times, it was frightening, and I wondered if I’d made the right decision. In retrospect, I’m happy I did it, but adapting to a complete and total change in my life and routine was necessary to ensure that I could do it successfully.
What are my self-care strategies? As mentioned above, change is a natural part of a return to college, as are stressors, time concerns, and other challenges. Therefore, it is important to know how to practice self-care. Sometimes this means taking a walk or hitting the gym when you’re feeling overwhelmed; other times, it might mean taking a breather from studying and just vegging out for a bit while you recharge your batteries. Additionally, healthy habits like a balanced diet and relaxation techniques like meditation and breathing exercises can help you achieve a balance between mental, emotional, physical health and academic excellence.
If you are considering pursuing an advanced degree, more power to you—it’s a great opportunity to expand your mind as well as your career options. Before you dive into higher education, however, remember to ask yourself if you’re ready, if you have the time, and if you’re able to endure the change and stay healthy.
Written by Phil Lane
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