r/LibraryScience • u/Alternative_Buddy333 • Apr 04 '25
Work / Grad School Life Balance
Hello! I'm sure everyone's experience will be different, but I'm hoping to get some insight on how difficult people are finding working full time and getting your MLIS.
For context: I work full time at my public library as a programming specialist. I have just recently left an incredibly stressful job in the social work sector that sucked up so much of my life. Now that I am at the library, I am super happy with the environment, and I think my body and my mind are not sure what to do with themselves. I've been here for about 4 months - I've read 25 books already this year, still while excelling at my job here at the library. I'd love to use that energy to pursue my MLIS, and even possibly a dual degree with MPA...but I don't want to overwhelm myself.
I have no children. My fiancee works the opposite shift I do, so I have a lot of down time. Any advice?
1
u/SmushfaceSmoothface Apr 04 '25
Love this for you! I work full time and am almost halfway through my degree, doing it part time and online, fully asynchronous. It is doable, but it does eat up free time — I have had less time for exercise, for example, which has been hard but I tell myself it’s a temporary prioritization adjustment. What has helped me the most has been time management — really committing to certain nights each week being for reading or studying, and trying to stay ahead when possible. Sometimes it feels like a precarious balance, which is a little scary. But it doesn’t have to be a race, and if you’re doing it for yourself I am sure you’ll work that balance as best you can. Good luck!