Part-time MA

8 replies

IncorrigibleTitmouse · 27/01/2021 21:59

Hello everyone

Just wondering if anyone has gone back and done a master's degree alongside full-time work. I've just been accepted and now I'm having a minor panic! My thinking was that I'll have more time to devote to it during this time (especially now that I have exhausted Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV...) but am I crazy?

It's been 16 years since I left full-time education, and the MA is related to my current work. Grateful for any insights!

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SE13Mummy · 27/01/2021 22:08

I have recently completed a Masters p/t, alongside teaching 4 days a week. Mine was strongly related to my work and has definitely been worth doing but most of the people on the course were either not working at all, were freelance and could recruit clients as case studies instead of on top of existing caseload or didn't have any/primary-aged children. I loved it and would do it over again but wish the assignment deadlines weren't all the day we all returned to school after a half-term etc. as it meant spending that time shut away instead of with my children.

Original poster

IncorrigibleTitmouse · 27/01/2021 22:13

Thank you @SE13Mummy that's reassuring! I'm kept very busy at work, but I think that I can use a lot of my day job to inform the school work and vice versa so I'm hoping it will be well worth it. I feel like I need this to take the next step in my career, I've plateaued a bit. This is the first job I've had since 2010 where I don't have any direct line management responsibility, so it's probably the best time it's ever going to be!

It's fully online, and DS is in high school so I'm hoping it will be ok!

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Whichname98 · 27/01/2021 22:14

Hello, I did my MA part-time as well as working. It was hard trying to manage my time and juggle everything. Congratulations on being accepted, that's excellent! You can do it !!
The time management was the hardest part in my opinion. If I could go back and do it again I'd definitely try and be more organised with my time.

Original poster

IncorrigibleTitmouse · 27/01/2021 22:15

Thanks @Whichname98! Any time management tips, as someone who's been through it?

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Tyranttoddler · 27/01/2021 22:15

I just completed mine while teaching full time. I took a brief hiatus because I had my daughter but otherwise I found it doable as long as you're strict with setting aside time weekly and being realistic about what you can achieve and when.

Original poster

IncorrigibleTitmouse · 27/01/2021 22:21

Well done @Tyranttoddler! Working full-time AND having a new baby must have been a lot! You're a braver woman than I! Seems like being very organised and disciplined is going to be the thing that makes this a winner. I want to try to get it done and dusted in two years or less, but I am also a realist!

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Tyranttoddler · 27/01/2021 22:24

You could definitely do it in 2 years! I ignored mine for over a year at one point but they were very supportive so I just advise keeping everyone in the loop all the time. Good luck!

Whichname98 · 31/01/2021 01:25

@IncorrigibleTitmouse I would definitely suggest setting aside regular study periods and stick to them, don't put things off and try to rush just before the deadline. I made that error a few times and the stress just multiplied. I'd think to myself 'oh I can do that tomorrow or Friday, I'll have plenty of time then to do that and also X,Y,Z etc, it will be fine!'
Then the next day arrived, I felt overwhelmed and regretted procrastinating! By the end of the week I was desperately trying to cram it all in.
Also, don't be afraid to ask for help from your course tutor. They will be more than happy to help. I was hesitant to ask mine at first but she was absolutely lovely and at times when I struggled (I had an outbreak of horrendous eczema all over me half way through the first year) she allowed me to have an extension and was very kind.

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