I miss my old life.

[Becky]

Eek! I'm taking the GREs on Friday (and should be studying right now) as the first step towards applying to a MPA program. Going part-time year-round (and still working full-time), it will take me 4 years

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts here. It's good to have a realistic view of what I'm potentially getting myself into.

[Miranda]

Oh, it's hard for sure, but just try to keep the end in mind. I worked a lot of hours, was on call 24-7, and 6mos prego with DD (thankfully only kid #1, vs some in the nest already) when I finished my MBA program. STATS class about put me on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I was soooo glad to get through it! The thing is, once you get the degree... you have it *forever*. The program itself feels eternal. But, it's not. (((hugs))) Miranda

[NbyNW]

Back when I was in grad school, it took over my life before I realized what was happening. I really started to second-guess whether it was all worth it.

Hope you can find a little balance in your life this semester!

[polly4711]

I'm right there with you!!!! We can do it!!!!

[Flybye]

It is so nice to rally together with others in the same boat. I feel so fried from school sometimes. I know that my goal (and all of ours) will be worth it in the end. Some days though, I just want a day to sit in my jammies and do nothing. I can't even do that on Sunday anymore!!
tulip - I will have my masters in Counseling and will be able to do counseling on a private basis or in a school setting. Have you been down that road before??

Crankin- LOL, I am the oldest person in the day program I am 37. My program is three years full time. I have to take summer courses, too. Weekends would stink. I have 2 weeks of 1-5 Mon-Fri and 1 week of 8-5 Mon-Fri. 4 credits total for summer. What are you studying? I know what you mean about giving up riding - I have settled with the fact that I *might* be able to do the one organized ride this summer and for sure not the century length. I guess 64 will be it for me!

Malkin- Two masters! I humbly bow at your seeming insanity Seriously, that is admirable! What are your degrees in?

Firenze - I have come to the conclusion that in grad school that "B" is the new "A". I graduated undergrad with a 3.76. I managed to knock out my first semester in grad school with all A's and 1- B. I know what you mean about the pressure of doing great. I guess that my dreams for a 4.0 in grad school ended the first semester and I am actually relieved not to have that stress this semester. Is History your major?

Sundial - I have been stalking you on TE Thanks for holding up my arm!

Becky - If you are reading this on Thursday you should be studying . If you are reading this on Friday, you should be celebrating Good luck!! Go get that dream!

Miranda - LOL - When I get down about how exhausted that I am from school I tell my husband "It could be worse, I could be pregnant" (we have three kids already) I wonder what you used for your mantra??

jocelyn - It sure feels like it is all consuming of my time and my energy and at times, my life. Did you end up leaving it behind??

polly - When do you graduate and what is your field??

[tulip]

No, I did a dual degree program in city planning and landscape architecture. It took me 4 years, but my undergrad took me 5, so I figure 4 years for 2 masters is pretty good. Best of luck!

[Crankin]

Flyebye, I am getting a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Holistic emphasis. My program is mostly writing, reading, group stuff. No tests, exams. Last semester was intense. I find that 5 weeks into the second semester, I am not doing as much work. I have less papers, so it's just not time to start some of them yet. It's a lot more work than my first master's in education.
I am the second oldest in my cohort. But there are others in the department that I don't know. I can't believe that at 37, you are the oldest!
I think I decided not to go to summer school. I would rather bite the bullet and go one more night a week during my internship or just do 2 weekend classes during the semester. Actually, I am finding the time going very quickly and I haven't given up anything else I do. Right now I have more time to ride, etc, but I know the next two years, my time will be limited because my internship will have later hours than I am used to, so I may not be able to ride after work. I won't be able to commute either; the site I am most likely going to is in a city with horrible traffic that I almost lost it driving there yesterday. It's not far (15 miles), but the last 3 miles of the drive is a maze of one way city streets, cobblestones.
I try to remember my end goal, when I get overwhelmed with the work.

[Becky]

Becky - If you are reading this on Thursday you should be studying . If you are reading this on Friday, you should be celebrating Good luck!! Go get that dream!

Thanks for the well-wishes. Things went rather well today and I am celebrating- just finished a cocktail - but I'm questioning the whole idea of going back to school. It's more the notion of giving up my free time and cycling and bike commuting than the idea of studying and essays and exams that makes me uncomfortable. (Sounds selfish, doesn't it?) But if I don't do this now, when am I going to do it? *sighs* I'm dreading those admissions essays too....

Words of wisdom, anyone?

[Fredwina]

Hang in there! my biggest regret is dropping out of grad school. twice

[Crankin]

Do it!
I am 55 and "starting over." I had a very good career as a teacher, making high 5 figures. Easily commutable for a few months a year. I worked in a good place and had a lot of respect. I wasn't burned out, but I was bored. My life was focused on how quickly I could leave work to ride...
I went through the essays, etc last year at this time. Had a stressful interview with 5 other applicants.
The one thing I would say is evaluate your time management skills and ability to read quickly and write in a scholarly style. This is my second masters. My kids are grown and my husband can support our lifestyle. If I had the stresses of small kids or worrying about money, I would not be doing this. I look at it as my job.
I was in a doctoral program when I was 27. I lasted a year, in a 2 year program. The time was not right. I did well academically, but I was a wreck. I decided I wanted a family, instead. It was the best decision I ever made. So, there's a time for everything.
When I finish, I have to work full time for 2 years to get my license. It can't be in a "fee for service" environment, since insurance requires therapists to be licensed for that. So I will be spending 2 years, probably working in a stressful job, with difficult clients when I am 58 years old. When I am almost 60, I will be able to join a group practice or work independently. My goal is to work a flexible schedule until I can't or don't want to work any longer. Am I nuts? Maybe, but it's exciting. Most of the people in my program are making considerable financial sacrifices to be there. The tuition is 18k a year. Many are working a lot of hours. I could not have done it like that.
Good luck!

[shootingstar]

Eek! I'm taking the GREs on Friday (and should be studying right now) as the first step towards applying to a MPA program. Going part-time year-round (and still working full-time), it will take me 4 years

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts here. It's good to have a realistic view of what I'm potentially getting myself into.

It is true, once you have that coveted degree, you have it forever. Just keep that degree paper..it's a legal document.

Dearie did his MBA a few years after completing undergrad in civil engineering. MBA took 7 yrs. of evening part-time courses to complete his MBA. He had daytime, full-time job. He loved it. Yes, it helped alot.

Not sure I want to embark on 3rd university degree studies at this time in life. I've had to supplement my degrees with several courses over the years to keep current and for certain roles.

So glad I completed my Masters ages ago, immediately after undergrad..which undisputedly helped my career over the years.

So my hats off to those going onto their 2nd career/degree change, etc.!

[snapdragen]

Good job "cousin" -- May 8, May 8, May 8

[WindingRoad]

FlyBye hold on, you are almost done! I understand your pain, I'm finishing my masters in biology and starting professional school this fall. Yeah I'm completely insane. This master's program has been wild: I have 15 credit hours of 400 - 600 level biology classes. I have a calendar of just test dates. It's spring break as of today and I'm happy for that but only so I can study and get caught up. So yes I know the neurosis that IS grad school. BUT we will eventually finish and we will be all that much stronger for pushing ourselves to the limit and knowing that we beat it.

I miss 'some' of my old life too but I must say as crazy as my new life may be, it is still a more fulfilling one and I would make the same choices again. I think most of us would. It's all going to be worth it in the end.

[Mr. Bloom]

Hey Fly! Hang in there! May 8 May 8 May 8

[Crankin]

I don't miss my old life! I have one more year to go and the time is going very quickly. On Monday I register for summer classes (just one) and registration for next fall (my last year!) is in 2 weeks. I have learned so much in my internship this year. Taking the classes is sort of at the point of boring now, but necessary. The only way to learn this job is to do it. I have my internship set for next year and I am so glad I chose to do the program with 2 internships; I need to exorcise all of the "teacher" identity out of me.
I *am* worried about what's going to happen when I get a job. I have to work full time for 2 years to get my license, and I have never worked in the summer in my whole life. I am hoping to find a job for my first 2 years where I can do some hours in the evening, so I can have riding time... what was I thinking???? OK, priorities need to be set. Once I have my license, I plan to work part time.