My Master's Journey in Belgium: How I Graduated on Time
Graduating on time can be effortless for some, yet challenging for others. However, with discipline and consistency, we can overcome obstacles and achieve this goal. Still, discipline and consistency alone are not enough; we must also remain fully committed to the path we choose.
Everyone has their own goals and targets, and ultimately, the responsibility lies with us. Different paths lead to different outcomes, and each journey is unique. In this article, I will share tips based on my personal experience completing my Master’s degree in Belgium. My aim is to encourage and support others who are still working toward finishing their studies. Remember: You can do it!
1. Commitment
Commitment is the first and most important foundation when we choose a path. When I applied for Master’s programs, two in Belgium, one in Germany, and one in Luxembourg, I was fully aware of the program duration. Although I later discovered that I could extend my studies by another semester, I remained committed to completing the program in two years. Once I received two acceptance letters and chose the university I would attend, I made a commitment to that path. My target was clear: finish my Master’s degree in two years, as outlined by the program. This decision meant moving to Belgium and leaving my loved ones behind so I could focus entirely on my goal.
I enrolled in courses according to the program guidelines, carefully following the requirements for each semester. This step is crucial. Understanding your program’s structure prevents delays in graduation. For example, you must be aware of credit requirements, mandatory and elective courses, and deadlines for research or thesis submission. In short, commit to the courses you enroll in and fulfill them diligently.
2. Discipline
Discipline means being strict with yourself. To stay on track, you must create a plan. In my case, I designed a two-year plan for my Master’s program. If that feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller goals, for example, what you want to accomplish in the first or second semester, such as assignments, projects, research, or study milestones. Once you have a plan, it naturally translates into daily schedules.
From the very first semester, I tried my best to be disciplined. I followed unwritten schedules every day, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Even weekends and holidays such as spring break, Christmas, summer, or public holidays were dedicated to making progress in my studies. Most nights, I worked past midnight, often sleeping only four hours, sometimes five or six if I was lucky. I treated my university life as if I were working for a company with a huge responsibility: the success of my Master’s degree. Every minute was precious, and I refused to waste it.
For assignments, I scheduled consistent weekend progress, about 30% on each assignment every weekend. This way, all assignments were completed simultaneously, often before the deadlines. I also allocated 8 hours per day to my research (thesis), usually three days a week, working from 9 AM until nearly midnight. Alongside assignments, I prepared exam materials on weekends to stay ahead.
I know discipline is challenging. I was often tired and exhausted, but in the end, graduating on time made every sacrifice worthwhile.
3. Adapt
Adapting to an unfamiliar place is equally important. During my first semester, I carefully observed my daily routines, for instance, class schedules, the university environment, commuting time from student housing to campus, and even practical tasks like laundry and grocery shopping. By understanding these routines, I was able to maximize my study time and blend learning into everyday activities. For example, I used my 45-minute train rides to read course materials, or quickly reviewed notes while commuting by bus. Even while waiting for laundry, which took more than an hour, I studied.
Another adjustment I made was choosing not to cook. For me, studying was more important than preparing meals. Cooking required buying ingredients at least twice a week, which meant extra time spent traveling to grocery stores, plus the time needed to prepare and cook. It simply didn’t fit my schedule. Instead, I gave myself 1.5 to 2 hours for lunch and dinner breaks, during which I warmed my food, took care of personal needs, and rested briefly before returning to my desk. Often, I watched Netflix while eating to relieve stress, then continued studying until midnight. Weekends and holidays were no exception; I kept working consistently.
Of course, this approach may not suit everyone. If you enjoy cooking or want to save money, you can certainly do so, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your study time. Some students told me, “It’s expensive if you don’t cook your own meals.” That’s completely true, and I agree with that. Personally, I had prepared financially before moving to Belgium. Since 2018, I researched the cost of living, rent, transportation, food options, and the possibility of buying meals instead of cooking. By the time I arrived in 2023, I was ready to adapt my lifestyle to focus entirely on my studies.
4. Focus
Focus is one of the most important factors when aiming to graduate on time. Believe me, there were many temptations during my studies in Belgium, shopping for clothes and shoes, exploring cities, or even traveling to other EU countries. While these activities were appealing, I reminded myself that I came to Belgium to study, not to sightsee. With demanding schedules, class materials, and assignments, I simply couldn’t afford distractions.
In my final semester, I faced one of the most challenging courses. To pass one of the hardest courses, I dedicated six weeks of intense study, working from 9 AM to 5 PM every weekday on that single subject. Failing the exam would have delayed my graduation, so I chose to stay focused. My target was clear: finish my Master’s degree in two years, no extensions.
This mindset wasn’t new to me. At 16, I moved away from my father’s house to study on another island, returning home only 10–14 days a year. While many classmates spent weekends exploring, I stayed focused on my studies, and as a result, I graduated faster than others. Later, I could visit this city again as a tourist, but during my studies, my priority was clear: graduate on time and reduce the financial burden on my father.
I carried the same mindset when I chose study in Belgium. My role there was to be a student, and my responsibility was to complete my Master’s degree. Sightseeing could wait until after graduation. Extending my studies would have meant paying for another academic year and increasing costs. For me, staying focused was not just about discipline. It was about responsibility and commitment.
Of course, everyone has their own perspective, and they are free to choose their path. But in my case, focus was one of the key principles that helped me graduate on time.
5. Do Not Hesitate to Ask for Guidance
During my studies, whenever I faced issues related to coursework or academic matters, I reached out directly to professors or faculty staff for help. This could be done through email or by asking questions after class. Seeking guidance is crucial if you want to graduate on time. In other words, building good relationships with professors and faculty can make your academic journey much smoother.
From my experience, most professors were very supportive, especially my thesis supervisor. I would like to give special thanks to promotor or my supervisor, whose guidance helped me complete my thesis on time.
You might wonder whether group study can also help overcome challenges. The answer is yes, definitely! If you find classmates who share the same goals and mindset, forming a study group can be very effective. In my case, however, I wasn’t able to form a proper group. From the first semester, I tried, but many students didn’t share the same vision. Some even misunderstood my intentions; one student thought I was trying to take advantage of others and even said my Master’s degree was useless. Despite that negativity, I stayed focused and worked mostly alone, occasionally exchanging help with a few supportive classmates.
In the end, I proudly stood on stage during my graduation ceremony because I graduated on time. I may not have been an honor graduate, but I achieved strong results in courses I was passionate about, one of them with a remarkable score of 19 out of 20. ✌️
7. Choose Your Thesis Topic Early
What does this mean? Simply put, you should select your thesis topic before the semester when it officially becomes mandatory. My Master’s program was completed in four semesters. In the third semester, we were required to register our thesis topic and begin working on it. At my university, research was mandatory from the very first semester. In semesters one and two, we worked on research papers, and in semesters three and four, we could continue those papers as our thesis.
In my case, I changed my research topic for various reasons. I began searching for thesis ideas as early as June 2024, right after exams. I approached four professors with my idea, and all of them welcomed me. This highlights the importance of Tip #5: “Do not hesitate to ask for guidance from professors and faculty.” Building good connections with professors to at least they recognize you and may even recommend colleagues if your topic doesn’t align with their expertise. For me, finding a thesis supervisor was smooth sailing, and I was grateful to work on my own research idea. The keys to completing my thesis on time were discipline, focus, and consistency.
At my university, students didn’t necessarily have to come up with their own topics. There was a system where we could log in and choose from research topics provided by professors. However, I wanted to pursue my own idea, which meant I had to approach professors directly.
Of course, working on a thesis comes with a packed schedule. Planning it like a project is essential to finishing on time. If I have the chance, I would love to share in another article how I planned my thesis project step by step.
7. Making Priorities
As I mentioned earlier, prioritizing is essential. I learned this lesson during my Master’s studies, where I often faced challenging decisions. Because I understood my limits, my top priorities, and the experiences I wanted to gain, I chose to be a full-time student.
Some may ask, “What if I want work experience?” My answer is: it depends on your priorities. If you believe you can balance both university and work, that’s fine, as long as you know what you’re doing and what you want to achieve. Ultimately, it comes down to what matters most to you.
Prioritizing can be tough. For example, in my second semester, I enrolled in a Dutch language course. I was eager to learn, but the class started three weeks late, which clashed with my university exam schedule. Although the teacher allowed me to arrive late for the evaluation, I chose to focus on my university exam. Passing my exam was more important because failing would have delayed my graduation.
Another situation arose when I had to choose between doing an internship or focusing on my thesis. In my third semester, I tried to secure an internship and even created a timeline for when it should start and end. However, the search took longer than expected and conflicted with my thesis schedule. I had to let the internship go and instead enrolled in two elective courses, one of which was the hardest course in the program. This left me with five courses plus my thesis in the final semester. It was overwhelming, but with focus, discipline, and consistency, I managed to overcome the challenges.
8. Manage Stress and Health
During my studies, whenever I didn’t have classes or campus activities, I often stayed in my room, sitting at my desk from 10 AM until midnight. I only stepped out to warm food, buy groceries, or do laundry. To manage stress, I took short breaks to watch Netflix, which helped me relax. Fortunately, I wasn’t interested in sightseeing, shopping, or going out in cold weather, so I preferred staying indoors. When I had extra time, I used it to catch up on sleep, since I rarely slept enough during my Master’s program. Many mornings, my eyes were swollen from exhaustion.
As for health, I must admit my diet wasn’t ideal. I often ate unhealthy food, but I made sure to include fruits and vegetables in every meal and took vitamins regularly. Whenever I traveled by bus or train, I wore a mask, not because I was sick, but to avoid getting sick. In my first academic year, I caught the flu, had a cough, and even tested positive for COVID. But in my second year, I managed to stay free from flu, cough, and COVID infections. Still, I wasn’t truly healthy because I constantly forced my body to stay awake day and night. My biggest problem was the lack of rest and sleep.
I remember the last week before summer break, when I had both a thesis defense and another exam. My body felt like it was collapsing, my head was heavy, and I was completely drained. Yet my determination to pass was stronger than my exhaustion. I stayed awake, studied, and pushed my limit. After my thesis defense, when the professor told me I had passed, I packed my laptop and materials, but the headache and body pain hit me hard. On my way home, I almost couldn’t bear the pain. That exhaustion lasted more than two weeks, with headaches, nausea, and fever-like symptoms. For over a week, I did not want to open my computer. Even if one of classmate told me to check the exam result, I chose to watch Netflix and did nothing. My energy was completely drained.
For me, maintaining good health during my studies was not easy. I tried to eat more fruits and vegetables every day, though one thing I missed was eating fish. Cooked fish was rarely available at the supermarket, but whenever salmon appeared on the university restaurant menu, I made sure to grab that opportunity. Alongside this, I took vitamins and tried to protect myself by wearing a mask whenever I traveled by bus or train.
Despite these efforts, I often pushed my body beyond its limits, working late into the night, sleeping very little, and feeling exhausted. At times, the lack of rest led to headaches, fatigue, and even illness. Still, my determination to graduate on time kept me going. Looking back, I realize that while discipline and focus are essential, taking care of your health is equally important.
9. Consistency
I often felt tired and exhausted, but I never gave up. Staying consistent was tough because it meant following my schedule strictly, even when I didn’t feel like it. Consistency ensures steady progress in every task, no matter how difficult it may be. For example, when preparing for exams, I started studying one month in advance. Each day I reviewed materials, because missing even a single day could set me back and risk failure. By studying daily, I built confidence and reduced stress before the exam. Consistency is about showing up every day, making small steps forward, and refusing to let challenges stop you. Over time, those small steps add up to big achievements, and that is how I managed to graduate on time.
Graduating on time is challenging, but it is possible. With discipline, focus, and the right priorities, you can overcome obstacles and achieve your goal. Remember: all your sacrifices will wort it.
- Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
