It's 7pm on a Tuesday. Having clocked up another 12-hour day, you're hungry, tired and all you feel like doing is grabbing some dinner and curling up on the couch.
Anyone for an entree of academic articles, followed by a main course of essay writing and some scholarly discussion for dessert? Or perhaps it's one of those nights when you will bypass dinner completely in the rush to get to lectures on time.
Welcome to the life of the full-time worker/part-time student. While friends are heading out for dinner, to the gym or home to spend time with their families after a hard day in the office, working students are usually busy trying to cram in that latest assignment around work and family commitments. It is a constant juggling act that is becoming increasingly common as more professionals enrol in postgraduate study to boost their job prospects, upgrade their qualifications or change careers.
On paper, studying while you work can seem the ideal pathway to gaining that postgraduate qualification - you can continue to climb the career ladder and gain valuable work experience that will put your studies into perspective.
Studying can give your life greater balance, providing something else to focus your energies on when you've had a frustrating day at work. And, perhaps most importantly for many considering a return to the classroom, holding on to your day job means you do not have to sacrifice your income and become a penniless student.
However, combining study with work can be a tough task that requires discipline, motivation and a clear understanding of what you are hoping to achieve. Do you want to soak up as much knowledge as possible and walk away with the perfect transcript? Or is it enough for you to do what it takes to pass your assignments and get the qualification?