A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Are you really

ready for graduate school?

•Professionalclothingforyourfieldplacement.Tryshoppingatconsignmentstoresfornice,inexpensiveprofessionalclothing.

•Eatingoncampus.Bringyourlunchtocampusandusetherefrigeratorinthestudentlounge.

Is this the right time for you to be in graduate school?ThisistheBIGquestionyoumustanswerforyourself.Therearecreativewaystoovercomethechallengesyoumayfaceingraduatestudy,butthetimetofindthesesolutionsisbeforeyoubeginyourMSWprogram.Talktoyourfamily,friends,colleagues,andotherswhohavecompletedagraduateprogramandassessforyourselfifthetimeisrighttoentertheprogram.TheMSWacademicadvisorinColumbusandthecoordinatorsattheregionalcampuses(Newark,Mansfield,andLima)arehappytodiscussyouroptionsandpossible

challenges.Aboveall,ourgoalishelpyousuccessfullycompleteyourMSWstudies.Forcontactinformation,visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/degreeprograms/msw.

COLLEGE OFSOCIAL WORK

Balancing family, school, and work

2.Ifyouhaveschool-agechildren,doyourhomeworktogether–you’llbeservingasanexcellentrolemodel.

3.Improveyourtimemanagement.Prepare“ToDo”listsfortheday,week,andsemester.Thiswillgiveeveryoneabettersenseofwhenyou’reavailable.

4.Getridofextraobligations.Thinkaboutwhatyourprioritiesareandhowyouwanttousethefreetimethatyouhaveavailable.TherewillbeplentyoftimetoresumeextraactivitieswhenyouhavegraduatedwithanMSW!

Makeyourgraduatestudiesasharedprojectsothatyoursuccessintheprogramcanbesharedwiththeimportantpeopleinyourlife.

Can you afford to go to graduate school now?Unfortunately,beingagraduatestudentisexpensive.Areyouprepared?Thecollegeofferssomescholarshipsthatyoucanapplyforbutthesewillnotcoverthemajorityofyourexpenses,whichwillinclude:

•Booksandsupplies(laptopandsoftware,paper,copying,etc.).Considerbuyingbooksonlinefromdiscountsuppliersorusee-textbooks(ifthey’reavailable).Usethecomputersinthestudentlounge,thecomputerlabonthesecondfloorofStillmanHall,orthelibrary.

•Transportationandparkingexpensesforclassesandyourfieldpracticum.Youcantakethebustocampustoavoidthecostofparkingorcarpoolwithotherstudentsifyoulivesomedistancefromcampus.

csw.osu.edu

Are your family and friends prepared for your graduate studies?Completingagraduatedegreeusuallyrequiresassistanceandcooperationfromthosewhoarenearestanddearesttoyou.Hereareafewthingstoconsider:

•Isyourspouse,partner,orsignificantotherfullysupportiveofyourdesiretoobtainanMSW?Haveyoutalkedwiththemabouthowthiswillchangeyourlifestyle?Forexample,theymaynotseeasmuchofyouasthey’dlike.Ortheymayhavetotakeonadditionalobligationssuchascleaning,cooking,childcare,andotherhouseholdtaskssinceyourtimewillbelimitedandyoucouldbemoretiredthanusual.

•Doyouhaveyoungchildren?Haveyouplannedforchildcareormadeback-upplans?Haveyoutalkedtofamilyandfriendsaboutwaystheycanhelp(i.e.,carpoolingorafter-schoolactivities)?

Beingingraduateschooldoesn’tmeanisolatingyourselffromyourfamilyandfriends.Herearesometipsfromotherstudentsabouthowtofindahealthybalancethatkeepseveryonehappy.

1.Lookforwaystoinvolveyourfamilyinyoureducation.Allowyourchildrentoparticipatewithyouinvolunteereventsthatwillalsocountforyourhumanrightsassignments.Sharewhatyou’velearnedinyourcoursesandfieldexperiences.Keepthemconnectedtowhatyou’redoing.

MSW

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Is your work schedule flexible enough?ManystudentsintheMSWprogramcontinuetoworkfull-orpart-time,buttodososuccessfullyyoumusthavesomeflexibilityinyourworkschedule.Wecan’tguaranteethatyou’llbeabletohaveallofyourclassesintheeveningorontheweekends;itisverylikelythatsomeofyourclasseswillmeetduringtheday.Nowisthetimetodiscussthiswithyouremployer!

TograduatefromtheMSWprogram,you’llberequiredtocompleteafieldpracticumfor12–24hoursperweekwhiletakingclasses.TheFieldEducationOfficewillworkwithyoutofindaplacementthatisagoodfit,butpleasebeawarethat:

•MostofourfieldpracticumsareduringthedayandtypicallyonMondaythroughFridayonly.

•Youmustcompleteaminimumoffourhourseachdayinyourpracticum–andsomeagencieswillrequiremore.

•You’reallowedtocompletepracticumhoursoversemesterbreaks.

•Employment-basedplacementsthatqualifyasafieldpracticumsiteareallowed(visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/fieldeducationforadditionalinformation).

Talkwithyouremployeraboutadjustingyourworkscheduletoaccommodateyourfieldpracticumrequirement.Perhapsyoucanworkpart-time,shifttoweekendhours,negotiateforgreaterflexibility,orobtainreleasetime.Nowisthetimetoplan!

What are the expectations for graduate students in the MSW program?IncominggraduatestudentsoftenassumethattheMSWprogramwillbemuchliketheirundergraduatedays,buttheobjectivesofgraduatestudyaresignificantlydifferentandthedemandsmuchgreater.Ingeneral,youcanexpectto:•Attendclasseswith25–40students.•Have75–100pagesofreadingmaterialeachweekforeachclass.

•Writepapersformostclassesratherthantakeexamsorquizzes.•Makeclasspresentationseitherindividuallyorasamemberofaworkgroup.•Activelyparticipateinclassexercises.•Takefourcourseseachsemesterandspend2–3daysinapracticumifyouareafull-timestudent.

•Spend50–60hoursperweekonyourstudies.

Preparingforclassisessential,soyoumustbeabletoblockoutseveralhoursaweektoread,researchvarioustopics,andpreparewrittenassignments.Beingingraduateschoolistimeconsumingandcomparabletoafull-timejob!Wedon’trecommendthatyouworkfull-timewhilebeingafull-timestudent.Inthelongrun,bothyourjobandeducationwillsuffer—nottomentionyourhealth.Ifyoudoplantocontinueworkingwhileyoucompleteyourdegree,weofferthree-andfour-yearpart-timeoptionsthatmaybeabetterfit.

Balancing family, school, and work Returning to graduate school is an exciting opportunity! To

get the most from your studies, it’s important that you think

carefully about what being a graduate student will mean for

your lifestyle and whether you’re prepared to undertake the

rigors it will bring. Your success in the MSW

program will depend on your ability to

balance multiple responsibilities,

advocate for yourself, and make

some sacrifices. Now is the

time for some reflection and

planning to ensure that your

days as a graduate student will

be meaningful and rewarding.

MakingItWork:OneStudent’sPersp

ective

DeniseDavis,MSWStudent

It takes a lot of discipline to juggle the demands of

grad school. My husband and I have to plan dates and

consult schedules before we accept

outside commitments. Sometimes

it means explaining to friends and

family that I may be unavailable

for a few weeks, but also that my

absence is only a short period of

time in the big scheme of our

overall lives.

I’ve found creative ways to balance

school, my family, and personal life. I send quick texts

instead of having long phone calls; I pull all-nighters

on papers so I can take the next few days off without

feeling guilty; and I’ve taken a leave of absence from

some outside commitments.

And I try to take time for me–even if this only

means scheduling 30 minute walks a few times

a week through my neighborhood. You must find

positive ways to de-stress and breathe through it all!

It’ll all be worth it on graduation day!

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Is your work schedule flexible enough?ManystudentsintheMSWprogramcontinuetoworkfull-orpart-time,buttodososuccessfullyyoumusthavesomeflexibilityinyourworkschedule.Wecan’tguaranteethatyou’llbeabletohaveallofyourclassesintheeveningorontheweekends;itisverylikelythatsomeofyourclasseswillmeetduringtheday.Nowisthetimetodiscussthiswithyouremployer!

TograduatefromtheMSWprogram,you’llberequiredtocompleteafieldpracticumfor12–24hoursperweekwhiletakingclasses.TheFieldEducationOfficewillworkwithyoutofindaplacementthatisagoodfit,butpleasebeawarethat:

•MostofourfieldpracticumsareduringthedayandtypicallyonMondaythroughFridayonly.

•Youmustcompleteaminimumoffourhourseachdayinyourpracticum–andsomeagencieswillrequiremore.

•You’reallowedtocompletepracticumhoursoversemesterbreaks.

•Employment-basedplacementsthatqualifyasafieldpracticumsiteareallowed(visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/fieldeducationforadditionalinformation).

Talkwithyouremployeraboutadjustingyourworkscheduletoaccommodateyourfieldpracticumrequirement.Perhapsyoucanworkpart-time,shifttoweekendhours,negotiateforgreaterflexibility,orobtainreleasetime.Nowisthetimetoplan!

What are the expectations for graduate students in the MSW program?IncominggraduatestudentsoftenassumethattheMSWprogramwillbemuchliketheirundergraduatedays,buttheobjectivesofgraduatestudyaresignificantlydifferentandthedemandsmuchgreater.Ingeneral,youcanexpectto:•Attendclasseswith25–40students.•Have75–100pagesofreadingmaterialeachweekforeachclass.

•Writepapersformostclassesratherthantakeexamsorquizzes.•Makeclasspresentationseitherindividuallyorasamemberofaworkgroup.•Activelyparticipateinclassexercises.•Takefourcourseseachsemesterandspend2–3daysinapracticumifyouareafull-timestudent.

•Spend50–60hoursperweekonyourstudies.

Preparingforclassisessential,soyoumustbeabletoblockoutseveralhoursaweektoread,researchvarioustopics,andpreparewrittenassignments.Beingingraduateschoolistimeconsumingandcomparabletoafull-timejob!Wedon’trecommendthatyouworkfull-timewhilebeingafull-timestudent.Inthelongrun,bothyourjobandeducationwillsuffer—nottomentionyourhealth.Ifyoudoplantocontinueworkingwhileyoucompleteyourdegree,weofferthree-andfour-yearpart-timeoptionsthatmaybeabetterfit.

Balancing family, school, and work Returning to graduate school is an exciting opportunity! To

get the most from your studies, it’s important that you think

carefully about what being a graduate student will mean for

your lifestyle and whether you’re prepared to undertake the

rigors it will bring. Your success in the MSW

program will depend on your ability to

balance multiple responsibilities,

advocate for yourself, and make

some sacrifices. Now is the

time for some reflection and

planning to ensure that your

days as a graduate student will

be meaningful and rewarding.

MakingItWork:OneStudent’sPersp

ective

DeniseDavis,MSWStudent

It takes a lot of discipline to juggle the demands of

grad school. My husband and I have to plan dates and

consult schedules before we accept

outside commitments. Sometimes

it means explaining to friends and

family that I may be unavailable

for a few weeks, but also that my

absence is only a short period of

time in the big scheme of our

overall lives.

I’ve found creative ways to balance

school, my family, and personal life. I send quick texts

instead of having long phone calls; I pull all-nighters

on papers so I can take the next few days off without

feeling guilty; and I’ve taken a leave of absence from

some outside commitments.

And I try to take time for me–even if this only

means scheduling 30 minute walks a few times

a week through my neighborhood. You must find

positive ways to de-stress and breathe through it all!

It’ll all be worth it on graduation day!

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Is your work schedule flexible enough?ManystudentsintheMSWprogramcontinuetoworkfull-orpart-time,buttodososuccessfullyyoumusthavesomeflexibilityinyourworkschedule.Wecan’tguaranteethatyou’llbeabletohaveallofyourclassesintheeveningorontheweekends;itisverylikelythatsomeofyourclasseswillmeetduringtheday.Nowisthetimetodiscussthiswithyouremployer!

TograduatefromtheMSWprogram,you’llberequiredtocompleteafieldpracticumfor12–24hoursperweekwhiletakingclasses.TheFieldEducationOfficewillworkwithyoutofindaplacementthatisagoodfit,butpleasebeawarethat:

•MostofourfieldpracticumsareduringthedayandtypicallyonMondaythroughFridayonly.

•Youmustcompleteaminimumoffourhourseachdayinyourpracticum–andsomeagencieswillrequiremore.

•You’reallowedtocompletepracticumhoursoversemesterbreaks.

•Employment-basedplacementsthatqualifyasafieldpracticumsiteareallowed(visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/fieldeducationforadditionalinformation).

Talkwithyouremployeraboutadjustingyourworkscheduletoaccommodateyourfieldpracticumrequirement.Perhapsyoucanworkpart-time,shifttoweekendhours,negotiateforgreaterflexibility,orobtainreleasetime.Nowisthetimetoplan!

What are the expectations for graduate students in the MSW program?IncominggraduatestudentsoftenassumethattheMSWprogramwillbemuchliketheirundergraduatedays,buttheobjectivesofgraduatestudyaresignificantlydifferentandthedemandsmuchgreater.Ingeneral,youcanexpectto:•Attendclasseswith25–40students.•Have75–100pagesofreadingmaterialeachweekforeachclass.

•Writepapersformostclassesratherthantakeexamsorquizzes.•Makeclasspresentationseitherindividuallyorasamemberofaworkgroup.•Activelyparticipateinclassexercises.•Takefourcourseseachsemesterandspend2–3daysinapracticumifyouareafull-timestudent.

•Spend50–60hoursperweekonyourstudies.

Preparingforclassisessential,soyoumustbeabletoblockoutseveralhoursaweektoread,researchvarioustopics,andpreparewrittenassignments.Beingingraduateschoolistimeconsumingandcomparabletoafull-timejob!Wedon’trecommendthatyouworkfull-timewhilebeingafull-timestudent.Inthelongrun,bothyourjobandeducationwillsuffer—nottomentionyourhealth.Ifyoudoplantocontinueworkingwhileyoucompleteyourdegree,weofferthree-andfour-yearpart-timeoptionsthatmaybeabetterfit.

Balancing family, school, and work Returning to graduate school is an exciting opportunity! To

get the most from your studies, it’s important that you think

carefully about what being a graduate student will mean for

your lifestyle and whether you’re prepared to undertake the

rigors it will bring. Your success in the MSW

program will depend on your ability to

balance multiple responsibilities,

advocate for yourself, and make

some sacrifices. Now is the

time for some reflection and

planning to ensure that your

days as a graduate student will

be meaningful and rewarding.

MakingItWork:OneStudent’sPersp

ective

DeniseDavis,MSWStudent

It takes a lot of discipline to juggle the demands of

grad school. My husband and I have to plan dates and

consult schedules before we accept

outside commitments. Sometimes

it means explaining to friends and

family that I may be unavailable

for a few weeks, but also that my

absence is only a short period of

time in the big scheme of our

overall lives.

I’ve found creative ways to balance

school, my family, and personal life. I send quick texts

instead of having long phone calls; I pull all-nighters

on papers so I can take the next few days off without

feeling guilty; and I’ve taken a leave of absence from

some outside commitments.

And I try to take time for me–even if this only

means scheduling 30 minute walks a few times

a week through my neighborhood. You must find

positive ways to de-stress and breathe through it all!

It’ll all be worth it on graduation day!

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Is your work schedule flexible enough?ManystudentsintheMSWprogramcontinuetoworkfull-orpart-time,buttodososuccessfullyyoumusthavesomeflexibilityinyourworkschedule.Wecan’tguaranteethatyou’llbeabletohaveallofyourclassesintheeveningorontheweekends;itisverylikelythatsomeofyourclasseswillmeetduringtheday.Nowisthetimetodiscussthiswithyouremployer!

TograduatefromtheMSWprogram,you’llberequiredtocompleteafieldpracticumfor12–24hoursperweekwhiletakingclasses.TheFieldEducationOfficewillworkwithyoutofindaplacementthatisagoodfit,butpleasebeawarethat:

•MostofourfieldpracticumsareduringthedayandtypicallyonMondaythroughFridayonly.

•Youmustcompleteaminimumoffourhourseachdayinyourpracticum–andsomeagencieswillrequiremore.

•You’reallowedtocompletepracticumhoursoversemesterbreaks.

•Employment-basedplacementsthatqualifyasafieldpracticumsiteareallowed(visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/fieldeducationforadditionalinformation).

Talkwithyouremployeraboutadjustingyourworkscheduletoaccommodateyourfieldpracticumrequirement.Perhapsyoucanworkpart-time,shifttoweekendhours,negotiateforgreaterflexibility,orobtainreleasetime.Nowisthetimetoplan!

What are the expectations for graduate students in the MSW program?IncominggraduatestudentsoftenassumethattheMSWprogramwillbemuchliketheirundergraduatedays,buttheobjectivesofgraduatestudyaresignificantlydifferentandthedemandsmuchgreater.Ingeneral,youcanexpectto:•Attendclasseswith25–40students.•Have75–100pagesofreadingmaterialeachweekforeachclass.

•Writepapersformostclassesratherthantakeexamsorquizzes.•Makeclasspresentationseitherindividuallyorasamemberofaworkgroup.•Activelyparticipateinclassexercises.•Takefourcourseseachsemesterandspend2–3daysinapracticumifyouareafull-timestudent.

•Spend50–60hoursperweekonyourstudies.

Preparingforclassisessential,soyoumustbeabletoblockoutseveralhoursaweektoread,researchvarioustopics,andpreparewrittenassignments.Beingingraduateschoolistimeconsumingandcomparabletoafull-timejob!Wedon’trecommendthatyouworkfull-timewhilebeingafull-timestudent.Inthelongrun,bothyourjobandeducationwillsuffer—nottomentionyourhealth.Ifyoudoplantocontinueworkingwhileyoucompleteyourdegree,weofferthree-andfour-yearpart-timeoptionsthatmaybeabetterfit.

Balancing family, school, and work Returning to graduate school is an exciting opportunity! To

get the most from your studies, it’s important that you think

carefully about what being a graduate student will mean for

your lifestyle and whether you’re prepared to undertake the

rigors it will bring. Your success in the MSW

program will depend on your ability to

balance multiple responsibilities,

advocate for yourself, and make

some sacrifices. Now is the

time for some reflection and

planning to ensure that your

days as a graduate student will

be meaningful and rewarding.

MakingItWork:OneStudent’sPersp

ective

DeniseDavis,MSWStudent

It takes a lot of discipline to juggle the demands of

grad school. My husband and I have to plan dates and

consult schedules before we accept

outside commitments. Sometimes

it means explaining to friends and

family that I may be unavailable

for a few weeks, but also that my

absence is only a short period of

time in the big scheme of our

overall lives.

I’ve found creative ways to balance

school, my family, and personal life. I send quick texts

instead of having long phone calls; I pull all-nighters

on papers so I can take the next few days off without

feeling guilty; and I’ve taken a leave of absence from

some outside commitments.

And I try to take time for me–even if this only

means scheduling 30 minute walks a few times

a week through my neighborhood. You must find

positive ways to de-stress and breathe through it all!

It’ll all be worth it on graduation day!

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Are you really

ready for graduate school?

•Professionalclothingforyourfieldplacement.Tryshoppingatconsignmentstoresfornice,inexpensiveprofessionalclothing.

•Eatingoncampus.Bringyourlunchtocampusandusetherefrigeratorinthestudentlounge.

Is this the right time for you to be in graduate school?ThisistheBIGquestionyoumustanswerforyourself.Therearecreativewaystoovercomethechallengesyoumayfaceingraduatestudy,butthetimetofindthesesolutionsisbeforeyoubeginyourMSWprogram.Talktoyourfamily,friends,colleagues,andotherswhohavecompletedagraduateprogramandassessforyourselfifthetimeisrighttoentertheprogram.TheMSWacademicadvisorinColumbusandthecoordinatorsattheregionalcampuses(Newark,Mansfield,andLima)arehappytodiscussyouroptionsandpossible

challenges.Aboveall,ourgoalishelpyousuccessfullycompleteyourMSWstudies.Forcontactinformation,visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/degreeprograms/msw.

COLLEGE OFSOCIAL WORK

Balancing family, school, and work

2.Ifyouhaveschool-agechildren,doyourhomeworktogether–you’llbeservingasanexcellentrolemodel.

3.Improveyourtimemanagement.Prepare“ToDo”listsfortheday,week,andsemester.Thiswillgiveeveryoneabettersenseofwhenyou’reavailable.

4.Getridofextraobligations.Thinkaboutwhatyourprioritiesareandhowyouwanttousethefreetimethatyouhaveavailable.TherewillbeplentyoftimetoresumeextraactivitieswhenyouhavegraduatedwithanMSW!

Makeyourgraduatestudiesasharedprojectsothatyoursuccessintheprogramcanbesharedwiththeimportantpeopleinyourlife.

Can you afford to go to graduate school now?Unfortunately,beingagraduatestudentisexpensive.Areyouprepared?Thecollegeofferssomescholarshipsthatyoucanapplyforbutthesewillnotcoverthemajorityofyourexpenses,whichwillinclude:

•Booksandsupplies(laptopandsoftware,paper,copying,etc.).Considerbuyingbooksonlinefromdiscountsuppliersorusee-textbooks(ifthey’reavailable).Usethecomputersinthestudentlounge,thecomputerlabonthesecondfloorofStillmanHall,orthelibrary.

•Transportationandparkingexpensesforclassesandyourfieldpracticum.Youcantakethebustocampustoavoidthecostofparkingorcarpoolwithotherstudentsifyoulivesomedistancefromcampus.

csw.osu.edu

Are your family and friends prepared for your graduate studies?Completingagraduatedegreeusuallyrequiresassistanceandcooperationfromthosewhoarenearestanddearesttoyou.Hereareafewthingstoconsider:

•Isyourspouse,partner,orsignificantotherfullysupportiveofyourdesiretoobtainanMSW?Haveyoutalkedwiththemabouthowthiswillchangeyourlifestyle?Forexample,theymaynotseeasmuchofyouasthey’dlike.Ortheymayhavetotakeonadditionalobligationssuchascleaning,cooking,childcare,andotherhouseholdtaskssinceyourtimewillbelimitedandyoucouldbemoretiredthanusual.

•Doyouhaveyoungchildren?Haveyouplannedforchildcareormadeback-upplans?Haveyoutalkedtofamilyandfriendsaboutwaystheycanhelp(i.e.,carpoolingorafter-schoolactivities)?

Beingingraduateschooldoesn’tmeanisolatingyourselffromyourfamilyandfriends.Herearesometipsfromotherstudentsabouthowtofindahealthybalancethatkeepseveryonehappy.

1.Lookforwaystoinvolveyourfamilyinyoureducation.Allowyourchildrentoparticipatewithyouinvolunteereventsthatwillalsocountforyourhumanrightsassignments.Sharewhatyou’velearnedinyourcoursesandfieldexperiences.Keepthemconnectedtowhatyou’redoing.

MSW

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Are you really

ready for graduate school?

•Professionalclothingforyourfieldplacement.Tryshoppingatconsignmentstoresfornice,inexpensiveprofessionalclothing.

•Eatingoncampus.Bringyourlunchtocampusandusetherefrigeratorinthestudentlounge.

Is this the right time for you to be in graduate school?ThisistheBIGquestionyoumustanswerforyourself.Therearecreativewaystoovercomethechallengesyoumayfaceingraduatestudy,butthetimetofindthesesolutionsisbeforeyoubeginyourMSWprogram.Talktoyourfamily,friends,colleagues,andotherswhohavecompletedagraduateprogramandassessforyourselfifthetimeisrighttoentertheprogram.TheMSWacademicadvisorinColumbusandthecoordinatorsattheregionalcampuses(Newark,Mansfield,andLima)arehappytodiscussyouroptionsandpossible

challenges.Aboveall,ourgoalishelpyousuccessfullycompleteyourMSWstudies.Forcontactinformation,visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/degreeprograms/msw.

COLLEGE OFSOCIAL WORK

Balancing family, school, and work

2.Ifyouhaveschool-agechildren,doyourhomeworktogether–you’llbeservingasanexcellentrolemodel.

3.Improveyourtimemanagement.Prepare“ToDo”listsfortheday,week,andsemester.Thiswillgiveeveryoneabettersenseofwhenyou’reavailable.

4.Getridofextraobligations.Thinkaboutwhatyourprioritiesareandhowyouwanttousethefreetimethatyouhaveavailable.TherewillbeplentyoftimetoresumeextraactivitieswhenyouhavegraduatedwithanMSW!

Makeyourgraduatestudiesasharedprojectsothatyoursuccessintheprogramcanbesharedwiththeimportantpeopleinyourlife.

Can you afford to go to graduate school now?Unfortunately,beingagraduatestudentisexpensive.Areyouprepared?Thecollegeofferssomescholarshipsthatyoucanapplyforbutthesewillnotcoverthemajorityofyourexpenses,whichwillinclude:

•Booksandsupplies(laptopandsoftware,paper,copying,etc.).Considerbuyingbooksonlinefromdiscountsuppliersorusee-textbooks(ifthey’reavailable).Usethecomputersinthestudentlounge,thecomputerlabonthesecondfloorofStillmanHall,orthelibrary.

•Transportationandparkingexpensesforclassesandyourfieldpracticum.Youcantakethebustocampustoavoidthecostofparkingorcarpoolwithotherstudentsifyoulivesomedistancefromcampus.

csw.osu.edu

Are your family and friends prepared for your graduate studies?Completingagraduatedegreeusuallyrequiresassistanceandcooperationfromthosewhoarenearestanddearesttoyou.Hereareafewthingstoconsider:

•Isyourspouse,partner,orsignificantotherfullysupportiveofyourdesiretoobtainanMSW?Haveyoutalkedwiththemabouthowthiswillchangeyourlifestyle?Forexample,theymaynotseeasmuchofyouasthey’dlike.Ortheymayhavetotakeonadditionalobligationssuchascleaning,cooking,childcare,andotherhouseholdtaskssinceyourtimewillbelimitedandyoucouldbemoretiredthanusual.

•Doyouhaveyoungchildren?Haveyouplannedforchildcareormadeback-upplans?Haveyoutalkedtofamilyandfriendsaboutwaystheycanhelp(i.e.,carpoolingorafter-schoolactivities)?

Beingingraduateschooldoesn’tmeanisolatingyourselffromyourfamilyandfriends.Herearesometipsfromotherstudentsabouthowtofindahealthybalancethatkeepseveryonehappy.

1.Lookforwaystoinvolveyourfamilyinyoureducation.Allowyourchildrentoparticipatewithyouinvolunteereventsthatwillalsocountforyourhumanrightsassignments.Sharewhatyou’velearnedinyourcoursesandfieldexperiences.Keepthemconnectedtowhatyou’redoing.

MSW

A R E Y O U R E A L L Y R E A D Y ?Are you really

ready for graduate school?

•Professionalclothingforyourfieldplacement.Tryshoppingatconsignmentstoresfornice,inexpensiveprofessionalclothing.

•Eatingoncampus.Bringyourlunchtocampusandusetherefrigeratorinthestudentlounge.

Is this the right time for you to be in graduate school?ThisistheBIGquestionyoumustanswerforyourself.Therearecreativewaystoovercomethechallengesyoumayfaceingraduatestudy,butthetimetofindthesesolutionsisbeforeyoubeginyourMSWprogram.Talktoyourfamily,friends,colleagues,andotherswhohavecompletedagraduateprogramandassessforyourselfifthetimeisrighttoentertheprogram.TheMSWacademicadvisorinColumbusandthecoordinatorsattheregionalcampuses(Newark,Mansfield,andLima)arehappytodiscussyouroptionsandpossible

challenges.Aboveall,ourgoalishelpyousuccessfullycompleteyourMSWstudies.Forcontactinformation,visitthecollegewebsiteatcsw.osu.edu/degreeprograms/msw.

COLLEGE OFSOCIAL WORK

Balancing family, school, and work

2.Ifyouhaveschool-agechildren,doyourhomeworktogether–you’llbeservingasanexcellentrolemodel.

3.Improveyourtimemanagement.Prepare“ToDo”listsfortheday,week,andsemester.Thiswillgiveeveryoneabettersenseofwhenyou’reavailable.

4.Getridofextraobligations.Thinkaboutwhatyourprioritiesareandhowyouwanttousethefreetimethatyouhaveavailable.TherewillbeplentyoftimetoresumeextraactivitieswhenyouhavegraduatedwithanMSW!

Makeyourgraduatestudiesasharedprojectsothatyoursuccessintheprogramcanbesharedwiththeimportantpeopleinyourlife.

Can you afford to go to graduate school now?Unfortunately,beingagraduatestudentisexpensive.Areyouprepared?Thecollegeofferssomescholarshipsthatyoucanapplyforbutthesewillnotcoverthemajorityofyourexpenses,whichwillinclude:

•Booksandsupplies(laptopandsoftware,paper,copying,etc.).Considerbuyingbooksonlinefromdiscountsuppliersorusee-textbooks(ifthey’reavailable).Usethecomputersinthestudentlounge,thecomputerlabonthesecondfloorofStillmanHall,orthelibrary.

•Transportationandparkingexpensesforclassesandyourfieldpracticum.Youcantakethebustocampustoavoidthecostofparkingorcarpoolwithotherstudentsifyoulivesomedistancefromcampus.

csw.osu.edu

Are your family and friends prepared for your graduate studies?Completingagraduatedegreeusuallyrequiresassistanceandcooperationfromthosewhoarenearestanddearesttoyou.Hereareafewthingstoconsider:

•Isyourspouse,partner,orsignificantotherfullysupportiveofyourdesiretoobtainanMSW?Haveyoutalkedwiththemabouthowthiswillchangeyourlifestyle?Forexample,theymaynotseeasmuchofyouasthey’dlike.Ortheymayhavetotakeonadditionalobligationssuchascleaning,cooking,childcare,andotherhouseholdtaskssinceyourtimewillbelimitedandyoucouldbemoretiredthanusual.

•Doyouhaveyoungchildren?Haveyouplannedforchildcareormadeback-upplans?Haveyoutalkedtofamilyandfriendsaboutwaystheycanhelp(i.e.,carpoolingorafter-schoolactivities)?

Beingingraduateschooldoesn’tmeanisolatingyourselffromyourfamilyandfriends.Herearesometipsfromotherstudentsabouthowtofindahealthybalancethatkeepseveryonehappy.

1.Lookforwaystoinvolveyourfamilyinyoureducation.Allowyourchildrentoparticipatewithyouinvolunteereventsthatwillalsocountforyourhumanrightsassignments.Sharewhatyou’velearnedinyourcoursesandfieldexperiences.Keepthemconnectedtowhatyou’redoing.

MSW