7 tips to manage postgraduate studies

1. Look for a course that is taught online or partially online

Courses that are offered online will often allow you to ‘catch-up’ on classes in your own time which means you don’t have to skip a class to meet your work commitments (or take leave from work to meet a class commitment!). At UTS, postgraduate courses like the Juris Doctor offer core subjects in the evenings too for those who work during the day. Other postgraduate courses like the Master of Intellectual Property and the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice are delivered completely online

The online delivery of the Master of Intellectual Property course makes it practical to balance the other important aspects of my life such as full-time work as a trainee patent attorney and sport, while still achieving at uni.

- Samuel Elnajar, Master of Intellectual Property student

2. Find the balance

Maintaining balance is about getting organised and communicating.  Having a clear view of what’s coming up at uni and knowing your other commitments is critical. Make sure others in your life are aware of and supportive of your studies – your employer, family and friends. Don’t be afraid to share your situation with your course co-ordinators who are understanding and accommodating.

The university has been supportive of my responsibilities and I have been able to adjust my studies to fit within my family.  For example, space was made for me in daytime classes to coincide with the children being at school.

- Naomi McKeown, Juris Doctor student

UTS Law postgraduate courses offer the flexibility to study part-time whilst working full-time (night classes, summer session, block and distance subjects) and the university campus is close to the CBD.

- Nicholas Donlon, Juris Doctor student

3. Set your pace from the start and organise

Juggling study with full-time work and other life commitments takes organisation and planning. Make sure you start your uni work from week one of each semester. Use a timetable and aim to do small amounts of frequent study to spread the load across any week. This will make it easier when preparing for exams and prevent cramming towards the end of the semester. Try to ensure your employer is aware of your study schedule, plan ahead it you need to take time out for classes or to complete assignments and don’t be in too much of a rush.

I’d look at what else I expected to have on during each semester (work, travel etc.) and I wasn’t worried about dropping a subject or even taking a semester off if I realised I had too much on.

- Nicholas Donlon, Juris Doctor student

4. Make the most of your time

Use your commute to and from work to catch up on readings. Choose your sacrifice – what you are willing to give up in any one week and devote that time to study instead. It could be television or that drink at the pub – just one thing a week and not the same thing every week so you can tell yourself – I’ll do that activity next week. Use your annual leave strategically.

5. You are not alone – seek out others having the same experience

Many busy professionals undertake postgraduate study so it helps to communicate with others in the same position either in your course or in other courses. Make the most of uni-organised events to get to know other postgraduate students.

Although it was busy juggling work and part-time study, the flexibility of the Juris Doctor offered by UTS, allowed me to attend lectures and tutorials two evenings a week after work and take some subjects online. Also, because others doing the Juris Doctor had similar commitments, it was nice knowing you were with a cohort all in the same boat!

- Emma Cameron, Juris Doctor graduate

6. Think about doing some part-time and some full-time study – mix it up a bit

While you might begin by working full-time and studying part-time - attending classes at night and completing assignments on weekends, consider planning ahead and changing to full-time study if your employment and financial situation permits. Many postgraduate students find it beneficial to have a period where they are just concentrating on their studies.

At the end of my first year I resigned from my full-time job to complete the Juris Doctor in a full-time capacity. As the course load and subjects intensified, this decision to transition into full-time study enabled the completion of the remaining subjects at a higher standard along with the ability to expedite my earlier transition into the legal field.

- Emmanuel Georgouras, Juris Doctor graduate

7. Have realistic expectations and be prepared to be flexible

Make sure your employer understands what you are studying and is on board with the process – discuss taking annual leave during exam periods or when you have a particularly heavy assessment load. Pace yourself and keep your eyes on the prize – it’s not forever – it’s short in terms of your life and what you aim to achieve.

It’s important to get some perspective: it’s only two semesters of 15-weeks of intense study a year.

- Naomi McKeown, Juris Doctor student

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