Some of us are bound to a life of academia because we simply prefer it. Some of us finish college and/ or high school, go into the workforce and never look back because studying was never an interest. But then there is an ‘in-between’ type of person going through the dilemma of whether or not to do a Masters, when to do it and where to do it.
There is no such thing as the ‘best time’ for anyone to do their Masters. It really is a case-by-case situation, and also depends on whether a Masters is a necessity in your chosen career path. As someone who has just finished their Bachelor’s, I am going through the same dilemma. While a part of me says not to wait any longer, another part obviously says to take my time in the decision. I’ve come to realize that the decision to do a masters has very little to do with ‘when’, and a lot more with other factors.
1) Is Doing A Masters Part Of Your Long Term Life Plan?
Granted that graduating during a pandemic might leave one helpless in a dead market where companies are trying to downsize and cut salaries. The feeling of being unable to find a job, in general, may lead to the decision of going back to academia. But not finding a job is not enough reason to give up and run towards a Masters degree if it’s not something you truly want.
“Many students are eager to plunge into a full-time Masters program directly after receiving their undergraduate degree, wanting to begin their professional career as soon as possible. This decision has a few added benefits, including keeping your study habits fresh and lessening the risk of never going back to school because you are tied to a full-time job’s commitments,” writes Access Masters. A Masters can be key to your future career plans, but it can also slow you down if it’s not actually what you need or want in your field.
2) Do You Have Time To Do A Masters?
If you’ve graduated a couple of years ago, you’ve probably already established some kind of daily life routine. Going back to university will inevitably change that routine; regardless of the job you have. Of course, different universities and different programs offer various scheduling, such as part-time and full-time. You might only opt to take one class every academic term or year.
As per Masters Studies, “Whatever you do, this degree needs to fit around your lifestyle.” Meaning, you will have to dedicate a certain amount of hours per day and week to studying and to attending lectures. This time-consuming decision, factoring in traffic, class hours, study hours, and examinations, may lead you to slack off at work, or in other familial obligations. The point here is not to give up on the Masters, but rather to figure out the best possible solution to fit in everything you can do, without burning out.
3) Have You Picked Your Area Of Study & The Right University?
Picking an area of study and the right university is a challenge because you might not even be sure what you want to study exactly in the first place. Initially, I’d have said not knowing what you want to study is a drawback and red flag that maybe it’s not time to go back to college now. It’s okay to not know exactly what you want to study, but at least narrow it down to a subject area; something that’ll benefit both your career and your life plans.
When you have it narrowed down, look for universities that suit where you want to be; whether it’s where you currently live, or if you have plans to go study abroad. The decision to study abroad is a pretty big one, and will most definitely mean leaving your job behind (unless they’ll let you work remotely and unless the time difference is doable). According to Study Link, there is a lot to consider in terms of which country, where to live, finances, and a lot more before hopping on that plane.
4) Is This An Affordable Decision?
This is a big one. Everyone has a different living situation, and that’ll inevitably impact your decision to do a masters. For some, leaving their job to study is not an option on the table. This factor goes hand in hand with the aforementioned class schedule and studying schedule arrangement whether you want to be a part-time or full-time student.
This also intertwines with choosing the program and university, as some universities provide better scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid offers. When choosing a university, make sure these options are available to you, and make sure to ask about their deadlines too. Of course, choosing to live abroad will have its own set of costs too. Times Higher Education said that while doing a Masters can increase your salary in the future, thinking about ‘right now’ is important too.
