Graduate Study Challenges

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Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success A large amount of thought over the last two years was put into the decision to return to school to pursue my Master’s degree. The pursuit of a graduate degree will require 100% dedication and commitment. It took time to make this decision because my final year of undergrad I struggled managing time between working, school, and my family. Years later with even more on my plate, I fully understand the responsibility and commitment needed to be successful. The decision to return to school was both personal and professional. Personally, I need to continue to fill my time with purposeful and mentally stimulating activities. Professionally, I want to make myself more marketable for better employment opportunities. I consider myself lucky with my employment. I love my job and I am in no rush to go anywhere, and looking toward the future I know I will be ready to advance. By pursuing my Master’s degree I hope to stay ahead of the game. I have established short-term and long-term goals using the SMART formula (Carter, Bishop, & Lyman Kravits, 2011). I have established a long-term goal of finishing my degree within the two-year time frame outlined. My other long-term goal is to graduate with a grade point average of at least 3.5. My short-term goals are sub-goals of my long-term goals. My short-term goal for the next two weeks is to finish this class with an A. My other short-term goal is to start my next class on the scheduled class date of September 4, 2012. Over the next two years there will be milestones that mark my accomplishments of my short-term goals. I have already hit one milestone; receiving my grade from last week. Each week I get my grade I can see my progress in my goal of getting an A in this class. As the end of this class approaches, I am already registered for my next

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