Comments on: Managing Work, Life and School for Graduate Students http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/ Family, Marriage, Finances & Life Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:51:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Tara Collins http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/#comment-31883 Tara Collins Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:24:06 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=1007#comment-31883 So far, I have heard many things about graduate school. My father went to medical school with two toddlers and a wife, and did very well. Personally, I have tried a Master in Science and didn't do very well, and it ended up being a horrible investment. I don't even have kids either! I do find it intersting that out of all the students in the MS program, those who had families were top of the class. Those who did the worst had no children. Perhaps they were more mature, were smarter, better test takers, or knew how to prioritize. Who knows. I was also very picky about the programs and schools, and may have passed up good programs that I was more cut out for. I am definately paying the price now- literally. So far, I have heard many things about graduate school. My father went to medical school with two toddlers and a wife, and did very well. Personally, I have tried a Master in Science and didn’t do very well, and it ended up being a horrible investment. I don’t even have kids either! I do find it intersting that out of all the students in the MS program, those who had families were top of the class. Those who did the worst had no children. Perhaps they were more mature, were smarter, better test takers, or knew how to prioritize. Who knows. I was also very picky about the programs and schools, and may have passed up good programs that I was more cut out for. I am definately paying the price now- literally.

]]> By: Heather http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/#comment-29365 Heather Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:23:12 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=1007#comment-29365 Tim, I'm going to make a few assumptions here: 1. You are lucky enough to have your entire graduate education paid for. or 2. You've never been in grad school. OR 3. You aren't getting a damn thing out of your graduate education. 2 classes in graduate school is nothing like 2 (or even 4) classes in college. Each of these classes demands around 2-3 hours of week in just showing up for the class, but then demands (on average) another 8-10 hours of preparation or other work (writing, research, etc.). In addition, you should be engaged in your own researching and publication, and most likely you have a part time job or assistantship to juggle. Merely having the reading done and showing up to class isn't enough to earn a graduate degree. You need to be fully committed to your field and to really learning the material and being able to apply it, critique theories, and develop your own theories. Grad school isn't merely an extension of undergrad work. Tim, I’m going to make a few assumptions here:

1. You are lucky enough to have your entire graduate education paid for.

or

2. You’ve never been in grad school.

OR

3. You aren’t getting a damn thing out of your graduate education.

2 classes in graduate school is nothing like 2 (or even 4) classes in college. Each of these classes demands around 2-3 hours of week in just showing up for the class, but then demands (on average) another 8-10 hours of preparation or other work (writing, research, etc.). In addition, you should be engaged in your own researching and publication, and most likely you have a part time job or assistantship to juggle.

Merely having the reading done and showing up to class isn’t enough to earn a graduate degree. You need to be fully committed to your field and to really learning the material and being able to apply it, critique theories, and develop your own theories. Grad school isn’t merely an extension of undergrad work.

]]> By: Clever Dude http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/#comment-27583 Clever Dude Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:39:01 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=1007#comment-27583 @Tim, 33 credit hours in a semester is normally not allowed, but even if it was, that's 7 hours less than a normal work week. Tack on another 6 hours of school per week, a home to take care of, a wife/husband and possibly kids, which you usually have NONE of in college, then perhaps you should look again at your assessment of the ease of getting a masters. Oh, and keep in mind I spend at least 6 additional hours per week on this site. Looking back to college, I easily could have done 20 credits in every semester and finished in 2 years if I tried because I had no other responsibilities. I was there for schooling and nothing else. Now, I'm maintaining a home, supporting a wife, and working on 4 side efforts (websites) at the same time. Stop thinking you're any more special than anyone else. @Tim, 33 credit hours in a semester is normally not allowed, but even if it was, that’s 7 hours less than a normal work week. Tack on another 6 hours of school per week, a home to take care of, a wife/husband and possibly kids, which you usually have NONE of in college, then perhaps you should look again at your assessment of the ease of getting a masters.

Oh, and keep in mind I spend at least 6 additional hours per week on this site.

Looking back to college, I easily could have done 20 credits in every semester and finished in 2 years if I tried because I had no other responsibilities. I was there for schooling and nothing else. Now, I’m maintaining a home, supporting a wife, and working on 4 side efforts (websites) at the same time.

Stop thinking you’re any more special than anyone else.

]]> By: Tim http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/#comment-27582 Tim Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:30:34 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=1007#comment-27582 grad school has to be one of the easiest things to do in life. i'm not sure how it warranted such a lengthy write up. then again, 6 credit hours per semester to finish grad school in 18 months was far less than the 33 credit hours per semester for undergrad. if you can't handle 2 classes plus working full time each semester, which many people evidently can't, i'm simply amazed. grad school has to be one of the easiest things to do in life. i’m not sure how it warranted such a lengthy write up. then again, 6 credit hours per semester to finish grad school in 18 months was far less than the 33 credit hours per semester for undergrad. if you can’t handle 2 classes plus working full time each semester, which many people evidently can’t, i’m simply amazed.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/#comment-27218 Jerry Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:13:38 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=1007#comment-27218 It is certainly easier to get your graduate degree when you are young and single, but getting that degree can lead to a rewarding experience as an old married dude, as well. We are actually undertaking medical school as a married couple with a daughter. It requires flexibility, sacrifice, and scheduling, but it is do-able. I suppose I could quit and go get a job selling insurance (or widgets, or real estate... no offense to anyone who works in those fields) but that is not where my passions are. I am blessed with a supportive and adventuresome spouse, and we support each other in our ambitions and undertakings. Jerry It is certainly easier to get your graduate degree when you are young and single, but getting that degree can lead to a rewarding experience as an old married dude, as well. We are actually undertaking medical school as a married couple with a daughter. It requires flexibility, sacrifice, and scheduling, but it is do-able. I suppose I could quit and go get a job selling insurance (or widgets, or real estate… no offense to anyone who works in those fields) but that is not where my passions are. I am blessed with a supportive and adventuresome spouse, and we support each other in our ambitions and undertakings.
Jerry

]]> By: Daniel http://www.cleverdude.com/content/managing-work-life-and-school-for-graduate-students/#comment-27145 Daniel Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:34:43 +0000 http://www.cleverdude.com/?p=1007#comment-27145 now i'm not an athiest, but instead of 'staring at the wall' a good alternative is to self reflect on yourself, your goals, your progress, and your accomplishments. No different than what you said prayer would do on untangling the mind. now i’m not an athiest, but instead of ‘staring at the wall’ a good alternative is to self reflect on yourself, your goals, your progress, and your accomplishments. No different than what you said prayer would do on untangling the mind.

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