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Posted Nov. 15, 2021

4 tips for combining work and study to find the balance

University of Glasgow online studyThe unforeseen events of 2020 have increased demand for online learning.

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There are new options to follow your professional interests and achieve your career goals, thanks to a rise in online working and less time spent commuting. You can get the skills and information you need to advance in your job while also expanding your earning potential through postgraduate study. According to a report released in 2020 by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), postgraduates earn 18% more than first-degree holders just six months after graduating.

University of GlasgowDespite the numerous advantages of remote learning, some people wonder how they would manage to work and study at the same time. We'll look at four practical actions you may take to successfully manage your career and school obligations in this article.

1. Select a topic that piques your curiosity

It may seem like a no-brainer, but choosing a topic that you are passionate about can boost your motivation and drive to succeed. If you find a subject that interests you, you are more likely to devote the time necessary to study it – and to enjoy it as well.

In fact, studies demonstrate that curiosity is a powerful motivator for learning. Judith Harackiewicz of the University of Wisconsin discovered, through a seven-year study, that undergraduate students' interest in an introductory psychology course completed in their first year predicted their likelihood of enrolling in future psychology courses more precisely than their grades. "Research has demonstrated that interest is a more powerful predictor of future choices than prior success or demographic characteristics," adds Harackiewicz.

2. Make a schedule

The key to ensuring that you have the time to study around your present work and personal responsibilities is organisation. Set aside time to study ahead of time and be realistic about what you can fit in and when – and don't forget to schedule in some relaxing time. When taking a distance learning course, self-discipline is an important trait to master. Online project management tools like Asana, Smartsheet and Microsoft OneNote are great for managing and planning your time, and they're often free. Many of these apps have customisable to-do lists that allow you to organise all of your chores into a calendar with due dates and check them off as you go.

At the University of Glasgow, carefully customised programmes for an online audience provide learning in bite-sized bits to fit each schedule, with breaks between classes and catch-up weeks in the middle of the semester to keep your learning on track.

3. On-the-move learning

Make the most of any spare moments in your day. Listen to a lecture on your way to work, while running, or while bathing. Short bursts here and there pile up quickly.

The virtual learning environment has been designed to be simple to use and can be accessible at any time on mobile, tablet or desktop devices, allowing you to get the most out of your learning.

Online courses at the University of Glasgow are created to cater to a variety of learning and communication styles. To make your learning as varied and easy to comprehend as possible, each programme makes use of a variety of media, including recorded lectures, live seminars, video, e-books and quizzes. Some of these items have been particularly transformed into different formats, which you can listen to, watch, or read online, or even download to revisit later.

4. Make a connection between your studies and your employment

There is no better method to mix employment and study than through connecting the two. Many courses provide research projects and dissertations that can be designed to blend your work and study interests, allowing you to explore a work-related challenge while still meeting your academic obligations.

Students enrolled in an Online Education MSc at the University of Glasgow, for example, are asked to analyse a practise that they are familiar with and determine the extent to which it is inclusive after learning about theories of inclusion and inclusive policy. As you advance through the course, you'll be able to apply what you've learned in the classroom to your profession, allowing you to approach day-to-day activities and projects in a more sophisticated and strategic manner.

As one University of Glasgow Online MSc Global Mental Health alumni explains, “I find that I frequently turn to my assignments as reference materials in my daily job, and I am more confident in my professional decisions. I've continued to use my new knowledge in my position as a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist after finishing the course.”

Online courses are designed to provide students with an interactive and interesting online learning experience that is tailored to help them succeed. If you're eager to advance your profession, the University of Glasgow offers a variety of 100% online programmes that can help you reach your goals.

Join us and make your mark.

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