Balancing Act: GCU Distinction Student Shares Secrets to Juggling Studies, Work, and Family
Top-performing graduates from Glasgow Caledonian University have shared valuable insights into their academic success, emphasising the importance of time management and focused goal-setting during their graduate studies.
Speaking on essential practices that helped her navigate graduate study life, Hilda Monijesu, a graduate with distinction in Risk Management, highlighted the importance of time management as a key strategy and effective means to achieve academic success.
Monijesu said: ‘’The secret to my success is time management and starting my coursework early. I give maximum time to my studies by reading when I assimilate fast and ignore all distractions.”
As a young mother of a one-year-old son, Monijesu emphasised that combining motherhood with graduate studies can be challenging but with an effective time management strategy, motherhood could also be a source of strength and inspiration to achieve academic success.
She further explained that understanding one’s personal reading style, time and assimilation mode is the ultimate hack for academic success.
Monijesu explained that; "For me, maximising focus during my most productive hours and starting coursework early was essential. Additionally, leveraging the support system I had was invaluable.”
Elaborating on the importance of the support systems to her success, Monijesu explained that her husband's help with child care allowed her more dedicated study time. At the same time, the facilities and resources at the GCU Learning Development Centre helped her maximise her study time.
“While in school, my husband works from home and takes care of our baby. Once I return from school, I do house chores, put the baby to bed, and continue my reading at night or wake up early to study. I also make good use of the library and the Learning Development Centre, where I book appointments once per month to discuss my academic issues, and they always help" she concluded.
In addition, Florence Musa, a postgraduate student in Financial Technology emphasised on the importance of consistent effort throughout academic programme.
Florence said; “To achieve a distinction, I know I have to maintain consistent high scores in all my coursework assessments, and score above 70 on the dissertation, which is a significant research project that contributes greatly to my final grade.”
Beyond academic rigour, Musa stressed the importance of academic integrity. "Avoiding plagiarism is essential," she advised. "GCU offers invaluable resources, including departmental mentors who can double-check your work before submission. Utilising these resources ensures your work meets the highest academic standards."
With over 2,000 graduates across various disciplines each year, GCU has showcased the university's commitment to fostering academic excellence and the stories of Monijesu and Musa testify to the dedication and resourcefulness of GCU students, who excel in their studies despite demanding personal commitments.
By Funmi Jokotade
MSc Multimedia Journalism