So I’m aware that I’m teetering on the edge of 30 and everything, but I didn’t realize just how old I am until I embarked on my latest crazy idea adventure… grad school.
The first day of class, I arrived early, took out my new notebook and pen and was all set. Then the professor looked at me and said “Um, yeah, this is probably a course to which you should bring your laptop.” Without missing a beat, I replied “Oh, ok, I will do that!” But I was thinking “I don’t have a laptop!”
No one brought laptops to class when I was in college, but apparently things have changed in the last seven years. Imagine that.
So anyway, I am finally starting to work on a master’s degree. I say “finally” because I currently work at a university (the same university that didn’t require laptops just a few short years ago) and I can take classes tuition-free (as can my spouse or domestic partner and kids – Andy gets a frightened look in his eye whenever I even think about changing employers). I’ve worked here for nearly five years and have yet to take a class, so it’s about time I make up for lousy pay take advantage of this benefit.
I started perusing the list of graduate degrees while I was on maternity leave, and I ran across a program called “Instructional Design and Technology.” A Google search and a few emails with professors later, I have decided that this is the program for me. (This is eerily similar to the way in which I decided on an undergraduate major, which didn’t turn out so well. Who would have thought that majoring in “Sport Organization” would qualify one to do absolutely nothing? But this is going to turn out better. Seriously.)
It looks like an interesting and up-and-coming field, and something that would fit well with my skills and strengths. It would also be conducive to finding another job within this university, which is good because of the previously-mentioned lifetime contract tuition benefits. But what really sealed the deal is when I emailed the professor-in-charge about the feasibility of completing this degree on a part-time basis, and found out that it’s not only possible to do it that way, but that the program was created for working adults and that many of the courses are “hybrids,” meaning they are taught using a combination of classroom time and distance learning. At that, I was sold.
I’m enrolled in one class this semester, and it meets from 4:00-6:40 once a week. This works out well because I get to leave work early am just getting home an hour and a half later than normal on Wednesdays, so it doesn’t require huge amounts of time away from my family. I plan to do the studying during my lunch hour (which is also when I plan to exercise, socialize, glamourize and errand-ize, but…)
Honestly, I hate to embark on something that is going to require additional time away from my family, even if it is only an hour and a half a week. But, I do think that this degree will allow me to progress in my career in a way that will be beneficial to my family in the long run, and offer a more flexible schedule than what I have now. So I am trying to see the big picture, but that hasn’t stopped me from feeling a little sad on Wednesday evenings.
So what do you think? Am I nuts? I mean, because of this, not because of the previously obvious reasons.
Yeah, I thought so.
P.S. I begged the computer guy at work to let me borrow a crappy old laptop, so now I can be on twitter in class be one of the cool kids.
Good luck!!! I would be in big trouble, too, if they told me to bring a laptop. I wonder if they have extension cords and large tables so I can drag my desktop computer in each class…
You ARE a cool kid – and an inspiration!! 🙂
First of all, cousin, I found this post to be very entertaining! So thanks for entertaining me! Secondly, you are a better woman than i am. I have no desire to go to grad school, but maybe that is just because the idea scares the crap out of me! And also because I am lazy. so i am very proud of you and I am sure you will soon be the star of “Saved by the Bell: the Grad School Years” and I HOPE I get to meet Screech!
love you 🙂
I got my Doctorate in December doing exactly what you are doing. I took me 3.5 years for a Master’s and 7 for a Doctorate going part time in a similar program for working adults. I had three babies at the same time. You will miss your kids when you have to go to class for that hour or two a week but think about the great role model you will be for them, not to mention the great one on one daddy time they get. I love spending time with my kids, but I also loved being in a learning environment exchanging ideas with adults. I actually miss it now that I am out. Crazy, I know. When people asked me how I did it, I would explain that some people go to church on Wednesday evenings (a learning environment) for several hours, I go to a classroom. The time separated from your kids is the same.
BTW, you probably will spend half the class checking email! And I thought Grad school was easier than undergrad – you are treated like an adult and much less busy work.
You are an awesome role model for your kids…and readers!
Good luck!
I’ve finished a year and a half of grad school and never needed a laptop for class. In fact, we were asked NOT to bring them because so many students (even at the grad level) play around in class. I guess my university isn’t as advanced 😉
Anyway, the good news is laptops are far, far cheaper than they used to be. They aren’t for the rich folks anymore! I bought one for my own personal use and it was under $600 for technology that was nearly top of the line. I signed up for a Best Buy card and got no interest for 18 months so I can just pay a small amount each month and get it paid for before the interest is due. If they still have that financing special going on, it’s a great deal! It ends up being less than $35 a month.
And useless majors… I was halfway through a Masters of English when I finally had to admit it just wasn’t going to get me a job. When I took my education OFF of my resume, I finally found a decent job after looking for 5 months. Sadly, sometimes the things we are interested in aren’t the areas that employers want =(
Good luck! I’m back in school again too! It is intimidating since I’m with all the yunguns but I’ve got more wisdom now…at least that’s what I keep saying to psyche myself up 🙂
Good for you and good luck with school! I just heard Clark Howard, financial radio host, say that there are great laptops out there in the 300 – 500 range, just in time for the back-to-school season.
I myself love having a laptop, and to me it is worth the $$. I can check my email from anwhere in the house or even the back porch and we don’t need a big huge computer station taking up space in our tiny house.
I am finishing up college from the first time I went in 1996 and stopped going in 1999. Going back in 2007 was VERY different than I remembered. Powerpoints instead of overhead transparents, laptops instead of notebooks, etc. It is interesting to see how college changes in such a short amount of time!
I am debating going back for my MBA, and hope to do so without taking as much time from one college adventure to the next. The hardest thing was getting reacquainted with studying, homework, and learning how to do that with kiddos and a husband are tough too!
Good luck, Em. Educuation is always an excellent investment of your time.
Oh, and Tweet me if you get bored, m’kay?
😉
Oh my, oh my – I understand! I have three quarters left to finish my second grad degree, and will be starting up again next week after a year off to have my baby girl. I’m nervous, anxious, & a little excited – but the excited part is just about finally finishing – I’ve been in school for a long time! But it’s a full-time demanding program, and I’m really anxious about being separated from the baby so much, and basically being an absentee-parent for 9 months… But I just keep trying to stay focused on the prize at the end, and not let the guilt take me over! We’ll have to commiserate together over the coming months 🙂
Congrats, though – it definitely sounds like the right thing to do – and how exciting for you! I think you’ll enjoy working your mind in a different way at least once a week…
Keep us updated!