There’s something exhilarating about embarking on an academic journey, whether you’re ready to complete previously abandoned undergraduate studies or launching forward into a masters or doctoral program. However, without support, that initial momentum is likely to run up against obstacles that slow you down or threaten to bring your dreams to a grinding halt.
Let’s face it, sometimes the roadblocks seem calculated to discourage us from academic pursuits. Family responsibilities, work demands, financial stressors–all these and more can sometimes have us wondering why we ever dreamed we could handle an academic program in the first place. But take heart! You are not alone, and believe me when I say that most individuals who are trying to balance real life and academic pursuits face similar challenges. That’s why I’ve compiled a short list of support systems you want to have in your corner for those long nights, tight deadlines, and writer’s block doldrums.
1. Fellow Students
If you’re academic journey involves traveling in a cohort of learners, do your best to develop and maintain camaraderie and support with fellow students. Exchange email and phone numbers, and follow the progress of others in the same boat as you.
Better yet, connect with students who are one or two steps ahead of you. They don’t have to be in the same school, area of research, etc. (although that would be convenient!). It’s helpful to have people with whom you can commiserate and gripe, and from whom you can receive support, understanding and encouragement. After all, you can’t expect your loved ones and work colleagues to listen to every nitty-gritty detail of your journey–unless of course they have traveled the path themselves. Which brings us to your second needed support group:
2. Family, Friends, and Coworkers
Hopefully, you’ve built up plenty of favors prior to starting your academic program…you’re going to need them! If you haven’t already done so, take time early in your program to make some deposits in the bank of reciprocal lending of hands. Seriously, do this.
Second, if you currently have a lot of family responsibilities, such as small children or caring for an ailing spouse or elderly parents, it’s time to call in the troops for a briefing. Serious academic goals will require a tremendous amount of time, energy and intellectual exertion. Bottom line? You will most likely need this additional support. That is completely normal, so don’t feel ashamed to ask. Just remember, your support people are the ones who encouraged you to go for it in the first place. If they’re worth their salt, you’ll be able to ask for their help along the way.
Just be sure that you don’t completely disappear into your academic program. You need to balance your studies and your life, and that means coming up for air, connecting with and supporting loved ones and colleagues, and re-energizing before hitting the next step.
3. Mentors
Third, actively seek out and connect to mentors. Mentors can be academic, such as professors, former students or employers; they can also be professional or personal mentors who help you stay on track in your vocational or personal life.
Keep in mind that individuals who are qualified for the role are typically busy and in demand. Don’t be too demanding or needy, or you risk getting shut out. Before making contact, think of what you specifically want to know, and how time-consuming it will be to honor your requests. Potential mentors typically have a vested interest in helping others, based on their own story. This works in your favor. Just remember that the most successful and useful advice will likely come from someone who doesn’t have much time to “shoot the breeze.” But since we’re talking about a good use of time, there’s one final support system you may want to consider as you set out on your journey.
4. Hired Support
The tired expression “Time is money” is nevertheless true, even for academic programs. If your academic program ends up extending beyond your target date, that costs you money. That’s because every week you aren’t done, you are paying to be in school; plus, you are not yet cashing in on the return on investment that motivates most individuals to enter an academic program. I want you to keep these very real numbers in mind whenever you cringe at the cost of paying for someone to help you. You are already paying money, and you will pay more and more (and make less and less), the longer you are not finished.
The point? As expensive as it may be, it might be a worthwhile investment to speed up the process with hired support. I’m not talking about paying someone to clean your house (although that isn’t a terrible idea!). I’m talking about paying someone or a team of people to help you prepare your documents for submission or publication. This might be a strategic move in the grand scheme of things.
You have–or are gaining–expertise to share with the world. But no one can be an expert in everything! You have insight and research that needs formatting, organization, analysis, synthesis, grammar checks, etc., and there’s no shame in admitting that your expertise starts and ends with the content and subject matter. Usually after a few cycles of review, students realize that what has worked for them in school up to this point just won’t cut it any more. At that point, it could be a worthwhile decision to bring a writing expert on board.
But you will need to crunch the numbers here. How long is a review cycle? Two weeks? Four? How many of these can you afford before your target graduation date begins to slip away? How much is the delay costing you? And how much is it worth for you to accelerate the program and get that degree up on your wall? Typically, hired help will run you hundreds to even a few thousand dollars. But how much are you paying to be here anyway, but without hired support? It’s just some food for thought.
Bottom Line?
Statistically speaking, support is an important factor in the completion of your academic program, whether doctoral, graduate or undergraduate. So, take time to connect and recruit. Your future self will thank you.
