A work-life balance  For many students considering a postgraduate degree, they need to know they can balance their studies with other elements of their life, whether that's employment, family responsibilities or getting the most out of all the experiences university offers.   Our students all have their own story to tell, wisdom to impart and hopefully some reassurance that it's possible for you to succeed in postgraduate study, no matter your circumstances.   Aminah, Marketing student  Aminah has a part-time weekend job, also works as a student ambassador for the University and has carried out two internships whilst studying. Find out how she has found juggling her many commitments.  "When I began my postgraduate journey, I knew that managing my time effectively would be crucial. My academic schedule required approximately 10 hours of in-class learning per week, with an additional 20-25 hours dedicated to independent study. On top of that, I wanted to gain practical experience in my field.  I secured a part-time weekend job that fitted alongside my academic commitments. It allowed me to keep weekdays free for lectures, coursework, and self-study. This arrangement provided me with financial stability whilst still opening doors for work experiences relevant to my field of study.  With the support of the Careers Service, I secured internships that allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in real-world scenarios. These opportunities deepened my understanding of my subject and enhanced my professional skills. I also currently work as a brand ambassador for the University - a role that complements my studies perfectly.  Managing these responsibilities required a structured and disciplined approach. I prioritised my studies by creating a detailed weekly schedule, allocating specific time slots for lectures, independent study, work, and personal activities.  While work and academics are important, staying connected with family and friends, participating in community events, and engaging in hobbies has been an essential part of my routine.  For those considering working while pursuing postgraduate studies, my biggest piece of advice is to embrace the challenge with an open mind and a positive attitude. For me, this phase has been more than just a balancing act — it has been an opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive."  An interview with Holly, Cybercrime, Terrorism and Security student Did the idea of working whilst studying for a postgrad concern you prior to applying?  For me, I think there was a little concern about working at the same time as studying for my postgraduate degree. I talked to students that were already doing postgraduates and asked them how they found it, which reassured me that I'd be able to work and do my postgraduate at the same time.  What other commitments do you have alongside your studies?  I currently work three jobs: one as a student ambassador with the Uni which is not regular work for me, so it doesn’t affect my studies. My other two jobs are very similar: one is a barista supervisor which I work when I go home during holiday periods and the other is a barista for the cafes on campus during term times.   As well as work, I volunteer with two charities. One is Jeremiah’s Journey where I help at events. My other charity is the Girl Guides which is more of my main role, as I work with three units: Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. This is a lot of work: most of the time goes into training, planning, and organising the meetings and activities for the girls. Then, it's the fun part which is running them!  I am also a volunteer student warden for my accommodation. For this role, I oversee making sure that parcels are secure and can be collected out of hours, that residents are comfortable, and taking care of any issues that happen during my shift. Similarly, I volunteer as a course representative for my postgraduate programme where I make sure that the students on the course are okay and managing workloads, and let the lectures know of any issues that have been raised.  Despite the number of things I do, I still find ample time to socialise and enjoy the life of a university student.  What are the benefits to working alongside studying?  I think the main benefit is that it makes you take a break from your work. Especially in postgraduate study, you are reading, writing and constantly trying to do your best and develop your knowledge; however, having all these commitments alongside studying makes you physically take a break, allowing you to come back with a clear head. Additionally, working alongside helps you not become too concerned with financial issues. Dependent on your job, you know you will have a weekly or monthly pay cheque alongside the student loan allowing you to save and have a reasonable budget.    What would your advice be to someone considering postgraduate study who has other responsibilities?  Make sure you have a solid foundation to your time. Find out what's coming up and make sure you are planning in advance. Talk to your lecturers about any work you do because they are very understanding and will make sure that you receive any help that you need. Lecturers love to talk about what they do so don’t be afraid to ask to go over things.  Georgia Zoo Conservation Biology graduate  "I would say it was really easy to schedule my part-time work around my lectures and I think that the main thing to consider about doing a masters is how much extra work you can personally take on."  Benedikt, Geography graduate  Being around professors and lecturers at the University of Plymouth made geography student Benedikt eager to get out into the world of work and he began his journey whilst still studying.  "During my masters degree, me and some friends had started planning and working on the LiMnADs project, which just after finishing my studies, started to unfold into a fantastic scientific research opportunity for me in which I am applying my knowledge to create a positive impact. The LiMnADs project uses scientific research, technical innovation and education to protect alpine wetlands.   If you want to be more than just a hard-working student, achieving their degree, but also being heard, valued and supported with your own personality and being inspired in creating an impact, then there is nowhere better, in my opinion, than the University of Plymouth."    Fyona, Education graduate  "I have an amazing family who supported me, and my daughters were old enough to help at home. During this year, as a family, we made sure that we spent Saturdays together and I did not think about my programme for that day. I used Sundays to work on my assignments. My advice to anyone returning to study who is managing other commitments is to make sure that you have down time and if you need help, ask for it."  Joyita, Psychology graduate  Joyita, a mum of three, has now graduated from Plymouth with not only an undergraduate degree, but also a masters in psychology. An inspiring mix or resilience, support and enthusiasm has got her to this point.  "There was a moment in my life when I thought, ‘Is it really going to happen?’ because I’m a mum of three and sometimes it can be a bit challenging but thankfully, I’ve had a lot of support from the University.  I worked as a chartered banker for 10 years and, although I liked helping people with their finance, I found a lot of times I was chatting to people about what they were going through. I found myself asking, ‘Do I want to stay in finance, or do I want to do something that perhaps deals with people - whether it’s clinically, socially, educationally?’ and I found that psychology ticked all those boxes for me.  One day, I went into the University when they had an open day. I’m the first in my immediate family to go to university, so walking up to the university was somewhat difficult because I didn’t have any point of reference. I thought I’d just see what it was like and if I was persuaded by it then I'd just go ahead and do it. I still remember the day because I remember saying to my daughter, ‘One day Mummy is going to graduate from here,’ (even though I didn't know if I was!).  I'm a mature student and I remember my first few months. I was thinking was, ‘Is this for me or is this not for me?’. But it’s the way that they teach you: everything is broken down for you. I felt at ease, and you’re encouraged to give your views; your views are always welcomed. That meant a lot to me."