I decided to pursue my Master’s a long while ago and it was only last year that I managed to enroll into one. I know some of us are aiming for the same but work commitments do not seem to permit such undertaking. Seriously, it’s easier said than done.

When probed with questions about part-time studies, my advice to working friends were not always straight forward. After all, each individual has his/her own capacity and is faced with different circumstances. Depending on how highly motivated you are (which I think will always fluctuate), you may or may not consider to go for Master’s.

“Go for it!”
That one was always meant for people who were physically and mentally prepared. Being single was a plus.

“Are you serious?”
Yet no matter how prepared you are, I always seem to poke this one in as well – to others and especially myself.

I have both family and work commitments which endlessly erupts for attention. Regardless, it has always been a ‘family first’ approach (I don’t remember how many work leaves I have already taken thus far). The nature of the two calls for skills in the art of time management. Sadly, I’m still a beginner Although my work is related to my Master’s thesis, this fact does not seem to help in lighting the ‘load’. Work is work and it has not always been about my thesis.

So, what work around would best undermine this dilemma? Being a full-time student would always be the most recommended option. No doubt about that, but being a full-timer and an employee at the same time is chaos! I can recall how painful it was to survive in one course which I took with a group of four teammates. Amongst us, only one was a full-time student while the rest were fully employed. When it came to group assignments, we made a compromise that they were to be completed by two individuals alternately. Why two? Two were living near the university and the other two were working at the same place.

Anyway, we thrived successfully but at a cost which I won’t forget for life! There were two occasions where I had to beg from the lecturer if he could postpone our presentation to another date. He kindly accepted the first time but heaved a big sigh the second time – which was enough as a sign that all confidence in me has begun to vapourize. Oh, the shame of it! Even then, he gave us good mark for an assignment well done and it was the best amongst others – masya-Allah.

What is one’s understanding of an audit course? Apparently, there were misconceptions about it and I took to believe that audit courses were only about attending a certain percentage of the lectures. At least, that was what I thought.

“Then you don’t deserve to be in my class,” one lecturer told me as I explained what is expected of me as an auditer in her class.

“You’re also expected to submit assignments,” she added. I was blown away. Then why, of all this time, did they call it an audit course?!

There is inconsistency in the faculty’s mandate that students doing Master’s by research should complete two audit courses in the first semester. Somehow such directive does not seem to be manifested in my case. I am already delayed by three semesters! I have sent letters to the dean and head of department and I’m not so sure where things will wind up. Just imagine if this was to happen to someone outside the university – we don’t want any bad-mouthing going on, do we?

To sum it all up, I would advise one to consider all these factors. If you’re working then it’s advisable for you to do part-time but don’t think it is easy-peasy lemon-squeezy