Cultivating Connection Podcast Episode 11: The Next Step for Teachers? Let’s Talk About Graduate Studies

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Are you thinking about pursuing a graduate degree? Does the huge amount of information about different programs seem overwhelming and confusing? Not sure if graduate studies are for you? Tune in to a new episode of Cultivating Connection as Leah and Devon share their experiences with different graduate programs at the Master’s and PhD levels.

You can find our podcast on Anchor FM, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Things to Consider Before Starting Graduate Studies

This is a decision that is different for everyone.  We are both glad we did our Master’s programs, but there are definitely some factors to consider.  Here are some questions to think about before you enroll in a graduate studies program:

  • Do you feel comfortable enough with your classroom responsibilities to take on more on top of that?
  • What guidelines does the program have for pacing your program? How many years would you have to complete your chosen program?
  • Does the university have continuous enrollment requirements? Do you need to pay a fee every semester (or trimester), even if you aren’t taking classes?
  • Is there a program of study with a topic you are really passionate about?
  • Do you feel disciplined enough to set aside time on evenings, weekends and holidays to work on your university courses? 
  • Are you willing to sacrifice other activities to focus on your studies?
  • Will you be teaching full-time, part-time or taking a leave of absence to study?

Strategies for Working on Your Studies

  • Chose a dedicated workspace where you can focus on your studies
  • Find your ideal times to work
  • Use the pomodoro technique to chunk your work into intervals

Tech Tools to Support Graduate Students

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