Postgrad life is busy. Here’s how two students made it work, and their top tips for you.
Postgraduate study offers a powerful way to grow your career, build confidence and explore new ideas. But it can come with challenges. Many students juggle study with work, family and other responsibilities – often all at once.
Harshy Premarathne and Quentin Dequiret know this experience well. Harshy completed an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) while working full time and raising two young children. Quentin requalified as an intellectual property (IP) lawyer in Australia while working at a Sydney law firm. Their paths looked different, but they both found ways to make study fit into their busy lives.
Here are their top tips for staying motivated, finding balance and making the most of the experience.
Track your time and set realistic goals
Harshy started by tracking how she spent her time. She discovered she could carve out around 15 discretionary hours each week.
“Understanding what you can realistically set aside helps you plan your workload more effectively,” she says.
Quentin took a similar approach and offers this advice.
“Start with manageable goals. Success comes from setting aside achievable study timeframes and targets, then staying committed to them.”
Choose a course that sparks your interest
Harshy learned from experience that passion beats talent when it comes to showing up consistently. When you're genuinely interested, the hard work feels more meaningful and sustainable.
“You’ll only stick with something if you actually like it,” she says.
She chose a program that matched her interests and learning style – this made all the difference.
Quentin chose a course that aligned with his passion for intellectual property while offering the flexibility of online study to suit his busy life. This, combined with an interactive learning experience, kept him motivated and engaged.
Plan ahead and communicate clearly
Before each subject began, Harshy reviewed the course outline, mapped out key dates and sat down with her family to talk through logistics.
“If you go into the process knowing what it’s going to be like, it’s easier to accept the sacrifices as part of the journey,” she says.
She also kept her employer informed, scheduling interviews during lunch breaks and being transparent about her commitments.
Quentin approached each subject methodically, sticking to a structured study routine to stay on track and avoid last-minute cramming.
Apply your learning in real time
Harshy used her EMBA subjects to manage her workload more effectively.
“They gave me tools to prioritise, rebuild my sense of balance and approach work in a healthier way.”
Quentin also found immediate value in his coursework. He didn’t have to wait to see its relevance, he applied new concepts directly at his IP firm, which strengthened his learning.
“I had the opportunity to immediately integrate the course material into practice. For instance, I already understood the international framework of trade marks, but the course allowed me to refine that knowledge in the Australian context.”
Use your online tools to stay engaged
Quentin found UTS’s online tools surprisingly interactive.
“Sometimes it’s gamified, sometimes it’s multiple choice. You submit legal answers, then click ‘check’ to see how you did. It’s playful, but effective for testing your knowledge.”
He also leaned into discussion boards and interactive formats to deepen his understanding and connect with peers.
“Engage actively with your online community. Answer questions and share your thoughts – it helps you stay connected and learn from others.”
Adjust your pace to suit your life
Harshy initially enrolled in two subjects at a time but quickly realised it was too much. She dropped down to one subject and found it easier to absorb the material and maintain balance.
“Prioritise depth of learning and your well-being over simply finishing faster. Even if others finish faster, focus on what works for you,” she says.
Quentin kept his family and friends in the loop, making sure they understood what he was going through and could support him during his studies. At the end of each semester, he used the breaks as a time to catch up and enjoy their company.
Stay connected to your ‘why’
Harshy stayed focused by keeping her purpose front and centre. She knew there would be sacrifices, but reminding herself why she was studying helped her push through the tough times, and made the wins feel even more rewarding.
“If there’s something you want to do, trust that you can do it. Even if it’s hard. Even if it means giving something up,” she says.
“Because it can absolutely change the way you think, lead and live.”
Quentin had a strong motivation too. As a qualified IP lawyer, he wanted to keep working in his specialised field and pursued registration as an Australian Trade Marks Attorney to uphold the high standard of practice he’d built in Europe. When a topic didn’t capture his interest straight away, he leaned on curiosity to stay engaged.
“Ask yourself why it matters, why it’s important to your learning, and how you’d explain it to a friend. That mindset shift can make a big difference.”
Change your environment when you need to focus
Even though Quentin’s program ran fully online, he made the most of UTS’s central Sydney campus. On weekends, when work, study and life competed for his attention, he used the library and study spaces to stay productive.
“Being able to focus without distractions boosted my productivity,” he says.
He cycled to uni, appreciated the quiet zones and helpful staff, and found energy in being around other students.
Ask for help when you need it
Both students made the most of the support available to them.
Harshy says, “I went in to get a qualification and walked out with a community I can lean on both during and after the course.”
For Quentin, the responsiveness of his lecturers stood out: “They were always quick to reply, very knowledgeable and always supportive.”
Make postgraduate study a reality for you
Postgraduate study demands commitment, but Harshy and Quentin show that it’s possible to thrive with the right mindset, tools and support. Whether you're navigating a career shift, managing family life or chasing a personal goal, stay organised, choose a course that excites you and lean on your community. With the right approach, the journey becomes not just manageable – but meaningful.
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