Navigating the Path to Pursue a Master’s Degree: Your Comprehensive Guide

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Embarking to pursue a master’s degree is an exciting and transformative endeavour. It signifies a commitment to furthering your education, expanding your expertise, and opening doors to new opportunities. However, the road to a master’s program requires thoughtful preparation to ensure a smooth transition into this next phase of your academic and professional life. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to help you prepare for the enriching experience of pursuing a master’s degree.

Define Your Goals

Before you begin your master’s journey, take the time to reflect on your academic and career goals. What do you hope to achieve through this program? Clarifying your objectives will guide you in selecting the right program and tailoring your experience to align with your aspirations.

Reflect and align your academic and career goals.

Choose the Right Program

Research a master’s program that resonates with your goals and interests. Consider factors like program specialisation, institution reputation, location, faculty expertise, available resources, and potential career opportunities post-graduation. Attend informational sessions, browse program websites, and connect with current students or alums to gather insights.

Review Admission Requirements

Thoroughly review the admission requirements for your chosen programs. These typically include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume or portfolio. Start gathering these documents well in advance to avoid last-minute rushes.

Admission requirements usually include a resume and academic transcripts.

Build a Strong Resume/CV

Update your resume or CV to highlight your academic achievements, work experience, extracurricular activities, and relevant skills. Tailor it to emphasise how your background aligns with the program you’re applying for.

Financial Planning

Evaluate the costs associated with your master’s program, including tuition fees and potential lost income during your studies. Crafting a realistic budget plan will enable you to manage your finances effectively.

Personal Development, Networking and Building Connections

Engage in activities that contribute to your personal growth and development. Read literature related to your field, participate in online courses, attend seminars or workshops, and engage in networking events. These activities will enhance your knowledge and demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. Start building your professional network early on. Connect with professors, alums, and peers in your chosen field. Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to interact with professionals who share your interests. Networking can provide valuable insights, potential collaborations, and future job opportunities.

Strengthen Your Academic Foundation

Master’s programs can be academically rigorous, so ensure you have a strong foundation in the relevant subjects. Review essential concepts and materials from your undergraduate studies, especially if there’s a gap between your previous education and the start of your master’s program.

Preparing for Research and start reading Academic Literature

If your master’s program involves research, familiarise yourself with the research process. Learn about research methodologies, data collection, analysis techniques, and literature review. This will help you feel more comfortable in your research projects.

Start reading academic papers, articles, and books related to your field. This will enhance your understanding and prepare you for engaging in intellectual discussions and debates during your program.

Time Management and Organisational Skills:

Develop effective time management and organisational skills, as you’ll need to balance your current commitments with the demands of your master’s program. Practice setting goals, prioritising tasks, and maintaining a structured schedule.

Plan to balance your current commitments with the demands of the master’s programme.

Health and Well-being and Emotional Preparation

Recognise that pursuing a master’s degree can be academically and emotionally demanding. Stay resilient, embrace challenges as learning opportunities, and build a support system of friends, family, mentors, and fellow students.

Prioritise your physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet and practice stress-relief techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, or yoga. A healthy body and mind are essential for effective learning and overall success.

Stay Informed and Learn About the Online-Campus and Resources

Keep track of application deadlines, program updates, and any changes in admission requirements. To stay informed, join online forums, subscribe to newsletters, and follow the program’s social media accounts.

Familiarise yourself with the online campus layout, library facilities, laboratories, and other resources. This will help you settle in quickly once you start your program.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset and set realistic expectations

Approach your master’s program with a growth mindset. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek help when needed. The learning process involves successes and setbacks, all contributing to your growth.

While enthusiasm is essential, it’s important to set realistic expectations for your master’s journey. Understand that there will be demanding times and moments of accomplishment and joy. Strive for progress rather than perfection.

Create a Study Space

Designate a quiet and organised space for studying and completing assignments. A dedicated study area will help you focus and maintain a productive routine.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate the milestones you achieve along the way. Completing assignments, acing exams, and even the small victories deserve recognition. Rewarding yourself will keep you motivated and positive throughout your master’s journey.

Preparing for a master’s degree goes beyond the application process. It’s about cultivating a mindset of continuous growth, equipping yourself with relevant skills, and immersing yourself in your chosen field’s academic and professional landscape. By embracing these comprehensive steps, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on this enriching educational adventure and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Remember, your journey to a master’s degree is not just about the destination but the transformative experience you’ll undergo.

#DILO (A day in the life of) a master’s degree student

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Continuing with our popular blog series that answers some of the questions we at Robert Kennedy College (RKC) get asked frequently by students looking to join one of our online programmes, we asked some of our past and current students to share their thoughts and opinions, to give their feedback on how they handled the challenges of online learning. Hopefully, this will help you to make an informed decision.

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Let’s learn from those who came before and see if what worked for them will help you become a better student!

An Introduction

Who are you, really?

I am an honest and compassionate woman juggling FT work, school, and mother of two amazing children, a wife and a caregiver to elderly ill parents.

Which programme did you choose and why?

MBA Leading Innovation and Change. Without effective leadership, no organisational goal will be reached. Without the ability to innovate and properly manage the change initiatives, organisations flatline and lack growth opportunities.

The Study Plan

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How did you plan to study each module, and what was the reality? For example, how many hours did/do you have to put in each day/or in a week?

I created a schedule for daily obligations and free time. I used my free time to study and read what I needed to learn. I typically spend 2-3 hours Monday to Thursday, 3-4hrs Friday and 5-8hrs Saturday and Sunday. Every second weekend I take a Saturday off and enjoy a day with my family and friends for sanity 🙂

What part of the day did/do you find most suitable to study? (e.g. early mornings, lunch break, evenings, weekends?)

If you work during the weekdays and have children, then the evening is best. It’s dependent on other obligations in your life. But you have to schedule it and make it a habit. It eventually becomes routine if you have some discipline and focus on the end goal of achieving the MBA.

How much time did you devote to each assignment?

In any given week, my minimum time towards assignments and studies is 20hrs.

Travelling and Communication

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How did travelling impact your ability to study?

When I travelled, I took my laptop and some books. Luckily, everything is online so that you can study on the go.

How were you able to interact with peers and/or professors, given the time differences?

I used email and Teams with my professors and WhatsApp with my peers. Sometimes the times were extremely early morning or late in the evening, but it’s worthwhile.

A typical day as a master’s student

What does a typical day as an Online master’s student look like for you?

Come home from work, go to the gym, enjoy some family time, and then lock myself in my office and study. Most of my free time is devoted to my studies as a student.

Any advice you have for students to better plan their studies

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Create a weekly schedule with all commitments and plan your studies. Explain to friends and family you are immersed for a couple of years in the goal of achieving an MBA. Ask for support and help when you need it. I know it will be difficult sometimes, but I have the discipline to persevere. Don’t hesitate to ask your professors for advice when you need some. Don’t give up. It’s a learning experience, and it’s truly worthwhile. You meet some incredible people on this journey. But YOU MUST SCHEDULE YOUR TIME! Priorities must be set as to what’s most important to you.

If you have been thinking about getting your master’s degree, and proving to yourself and others that you CAN do it, now would be an excellent time to take the plunge. Have a look at our list of programmes and see if we have anything that could help.

I hope this blog has answered some of your questions, and please watch this place for more similar blogs. You can also chat LIVE on WhatsApp with one of our Education Advisors for more information on all the programmes we offer, the application process, and the discounts we might offer.

Check out the fresh new look of the Robert Kennedy College (RKC) Website

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Robert Kennedy College has pioneered Swiss quality online learning since 1998. It offers rigorous but flexible learning programmes enhanced by state-of-the-art online e-learning technology. We always like to stay ahead and modern in our approach. So, here’s introducing a fresh, revamped look to our college website.

The user-friendly layout is welcoming, clearly laid out and interactive—the homepage links to programme details, features, and course catalogues. The quick search bar allows you to look for the programme of your choice, be it Project Management, International Business, International Commercial Law or the BA (Cons) programme. Information is available at one click.

The top bar provides links to contact our education advisor in real time through phone, email or WhatsApp.

Further, you find an overview of why to study online with RKC. You can also find all information about RKC’s partnerships with three universities – the University of Cumbria, the University of Salford Manchester and York St John University.

Each dropdown provides detailed information about the programmes RKC offers – Bachelor of Business, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science and Master of Laws.

Next, the ABOUT dropdown provides detailed information about Robert Kennedy College and its partners. Every student seeks information on the fees, accreditation and recognition, and admission requirements. This tab includes everything that you are looking for.

Another great feature you can access is the link to the Ambassadors page. Here you can chat with our ambassadors – current students or alums – to ask any question that you might have about our online Master’s or to hear about their experience of studying with RKC.

The fees page provides comprehensive detail about the fees, instalments and various options for payment. It lets you convert the fee structure into the local currency!

Remember to check out our blog link from the top bar, and for a quick chat with one of our education advisors, click on the WhatsApp logo on the bottom right of the page.

What do you think of this new look? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

FIVE tips for keeping up with your studies during an illness

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A few weeks ago, my young nephew underwent a major surgery. The time around the surgery, we were all tensed and worried for him and did not think about anything else. But now that he is well on his way to recovery, it got me thinking – that he will struggle to catch up on his schoolwork!

The thing is, the surgery is just the first part of the equation. The recovery will take far longer and will have a tangible impact on my nephew’s class performance. But the silver lining is my nephew is young and in a lower grade; it should not be too difficult to catch up with what is being taught.

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But if you are doing a master’s programme, catching up on lost time can get difficult.

While recovering from an illness, most of us will have low energy levels; as a result, the ability to concentrate for any length of time will be limited. Also, we tend to get physically tired quickly and need frequent rest. Not to mention rest will be a crucial component to a quick and complete recovery.

So how can you keep up with your studies during your recovery?

1. Remain optimistic. Falling behind with your work or studies during convalescence is understandable and should be expected. Do not get disheartened if this happens. Unfortunately, you have fallen ill and need time to recover, but that is life. Ask yourself – what is the worst thing that can happen? You will realise that it will not be as bad as you have imagined and will be able to prepare yourself for what is to come.

2. Network with your peers. Asking your friends in class for help can be one of the best ways to catch up on your studies. Ask them if they can set aside a few minutes daily to discuss what has been taught casually. Having a short casual discussion with a friend might not be as mentally taxing on you and will help you catch up and understand what was discussed in class while at the same time serving as a revision for your friend.

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3. Ask for help. Speak with your professors and the college about your illness and recovery. Find out what can be done for you during this time and if there are any exceptions to the norm for medical reasons. Having some extra time can relieve stress and help you focus on recovery while also helping you not fall too far behind in your studies.

4. Schedule your time. Plan what you must focus on to avoid falling behind in your studies. Schedule a time daily to focus on what is essential in your studies at this time, but make sure you work this around your recovery. Your focus during healing should always be on rest and recovery, so schedule your focused studies around your recovery.

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5. Sleep. An illness will leave you exhausted, and your body will need time to heal. Make sure you prioritise rest during recovery, and if you need to spend more time sleeping, please sleep. You can worry about everything else once you recover!

If you have been thinking about doing a master’s degree, and are ready to challenge yourself, look at our list of programmes and see if we have anything you are interested in doing.

You can also chat LIVE on WhatsApp with one of our Education Advisors for more information on the programme right for you, the application process, and details on discounts we might offer.