Full time work + Grad school

[TBL]

For those of you who still have full time jobs in grad school I was wondering what advice you might have for balancing the load that comes with both work and school. Right now my work schedule is 4 days on 4 days off (11.25 hour days). I just recently got into the University of Central Florida's dual masters program in Criminal Justice/Public Administration. The good thing is this program is completely online. I'm taking two courses this spring (6 credit hours). I'm just kind of nervous about going back to school. I want to not only pass but excel in my classes just in case I one day want to continue my academic pursuits. I also want to take full advantage of actually learning something this time. I know that sounds odd but lets face it, most of us probably just got our bachelors just to get the degree and the job opportunities that follow, not fully devoted to actually learning. My course textbooks are already available for the spring semester so I've considered going ahead and ordering them to get a head start, but how early is too early? lol.

[spunky]

I've been employed full-time from early in my MA all the way up to my PhD and the thing that always took the most time for me was keeping up with my readings. I learned that commutes (if you take the bus) are wonderful moments to do this and to NEVER let your readings/projects catch up to you. Like the moment you know you have a project or a manuscript or anything that has a due date, get on it right from the start. Even if the prof changes specifications/grading rubric halfway through the semester, it's a lot easier to alter something that's already there rather than you conjuring up brand new stuff 3 days before submitting it. 

I wouldn't think it's a bad idea to start reading your books if you can get them. As soon as I knew which prof was teaching which class I always approached them weeks before the semester began, explained my situation (i.e. I'm employed full-time) and they always either shared their reading list with me or would be honest and say they're classes were just gonna be in-class lecturing and homework.