Balancing Work, Life and Study

Balancing Work, Life and Study

With more and more people wanting to achieve a better balance between their life priorities, it is important to understand what balance actually means – is it an objective, is it a repeating cycle of events, or is it a state of mind? This article outlines the different approaches to balance, as discussed in our recent webinar, Balancing Work, Life and Study.

Achieving balance

Understanding your current circumstances is your first step to achieving a better balance in life. Doing so can also be helpful from a future-oriented approach where you can influence tomorrow’s achievements by today’s actions.

If you are thinking about going into postgraduate study and are not sure if you will be able to achieve this balance – ask yourself what works best for you at this stage in your life. Are you currently at a stage in your career where it will be beneficial for you to take a step back from work, and invest that time into studies, considering subsequent benefit with an increased return on investment? Or are you at a stage where you’re unable to take any time away from your work commitments?

The key take away here is to do what works best for you. Often, many of us are influenced by the pressure of what others are doing. In doing so, we wrongly make decisions about our lives, based on other peoples’ circumstances.

Taking the leap

Once you have decided that you want to pursue postgraduate study, the next step is to understand what kind of study you wish to undertake. This decision will be influenced by various factors, such as, availability of time, funding for your studies etc.

Many students choose to start with a Graduate Certificate to get a feel of what postgrad study is like. Graduate Certificates are shorter in duration (typically 6 months) when compared to a full Masters degree, and give you a basic understanding of the relevant study area. Those who wish to pursue more specialised education in the field can then choose to continue their studies with a Masters degree, completing it in a shorter duration in many circumstances.


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Student Support Services at the University

The University has a wide range of Student Support Services on offer, so knowing about them and utilising them will help you in the achievement of a perfect  balance between work, life and study.

Academic support

Academic Learning Support is your first port of call if you want help managing your workload, want to get a deeper understanding of concepts learnt, or are seeking advice on how to achieve better grades.

  • Learning Advisors: Learning Advisors are here to help with Study Skills, Writing Skills, Maths and Stats, as well as Research Writing for Postgraduate PhD and MPhil students. This team of dedicated Learning Advisors provide free services to all University of Newcastle students.
  • Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS): Peer Assisted Study Sessions are weekly sessions that provide the opportunity for you to review weekly material with other students and a PASS Leader.
  • Studiosity: This is an online study help platform available 24/7. Free for all University of Newcastle students, it provides fast feedback on your academic studies from real experts, anytime, anywhere.

Personal support

Your time at the University of Newcastle can be one of the most rewarding periods of your life, but it’s also a time where you may require a range of support and advice. Students who actively seek help during their studies are more likely to be successful in achieving a balance of work, life and study.

Our Wellbeing Advisors are experts in connecting you to support services. Some of the services available include access to bulk-billed medical services and free counselling, as well as a range of resources to help you stay on top of your finances, nutrition and fitness.

Support networks

  • University of Newcastle Students’ Association (UNSA): UNSA is the organisation that supports and represents students at the University of Newcastle. UNSA is a not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to positively impact student experience in matters related to educational experiences, welfare and well - being by providing a range of activities, extra-curricular events, and out-of-class engagement opportunities.
  • The ALLY Network: The ALLY Network aims to create a more inclusive culture at the University by promoting greater visibility and awareness of those who are diverse in their sex characteristic, gender and / or sexuality.

Tips to achieving balance

  • The Pit Crew approach: Our lives are quite similar to that of a race car that sometimes needs to come in and be assisted by a Pit Crew, or in our case, a support network. In order to do this, you must have ready access to pre-identified people that can act as your support network when and if the need arises.
  • Making new friends: How many of us are guilty of saying, “I am too busy to make friends?” Yes, we’re busy and yes, we’re short on time. But, making friends in your degree / at the University should not be taken as an additional task. Instead, having friends doing similar activities to you (same course, same degree etc.) automatically develops a safety net or support circle for us to lean on. Planning on going for coffee between classes? Ask a friend to come along!

Want to learn more about others who have taken the leap and succeeded at postgraduate study at the University of Newcastle? From shifting careers to expanding skillsets, find out from some of our students and alumni why they pursued postgraduate study.

Want to take your next step? With over 85 degrees, FEE-HELP options available and the flexibility to shape study around your lifestyle, now is the time to do what’s important to you.


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