Frustrations with School
By fabsprecious
@fabsprecious (1565)
United States
February 1, 2011 9:09am CST
So this semister I started my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, and I also decided to go to school full time instead of part-time, so that I can finish within 17 months, instead of prolonging it for 3 years as a part-time student. Now I am not to sure about this, because it is taking a bit of a toll on me. I am exhausted, between work, home, my kids and school I am physically and most of all mentally exhausted.
I work 8 hours a day, deal with my family and kids at home, have baseball practice twice a week and then at night start doing my school work. During my Associates I was a part-time student, but the classes weren't so involved as these are, they are taking alot more dedication and time.
How would you confront this situation if you were in school, how would you set up a schedule or how do you manage it if you are a student?
Love to hear from you...
2 people like this
9 responses
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
1 Feb 11
Where are you going to school? Is it on a regular campus? I have talked to many people who have attended online campuses that have said they are much better able to juggle the responsibilities of family life and still be able to complete classes in a timely manner since there are usually less classes done at one time but the classes are done on an ongoing basis. When I did a bachelor's online, I did two classes at a time so I was not as stressed as I would have been if I were doing four or five classes at a time. At the school I was at that was considered to be full time. Each class took less time than a regular classroom class, but you did the same number of classes in a semester but only two at a time. With graduate level classes, it is just one at a time but the classes only last six weeks. When I was taking classes the first time, I was working two jobs and doing volunteer work. I was able to keep up with everything. I don't know if this would help, but it is my experience. Good luck with your education!
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
2 Feb 11
fabsprecious,
I really do like the online experience. I have completed one online bachelor's degree, one master's degree and I am currently working on another. I don't think I could deal with having to go to a campus. I know what you mean about the research. It gets even worse when you reach the graduate level. It is too bad that you have to do three classes to be full time with your school. Most of the schools where I did online classes only required two for undergraduate and one for graduate level to be considered full time. But these were strictly online schools. My niece and nephew are doing online through a community college and they have to do four or five classes to be full time so that is no better than attending a regular campus. Good luck with you education and hang in there!
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
4 Feb 11
Thank you, I am just looking forward to these last 17 months, and then looking back and know that it was all well worth it.
1 person likes this
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
2 Feb 11
I am currently taking online courses, going to the campus takes to much time and toll on my life, so my hubby and I both decided to get enrolled online. I am currently enrolled in 3 courses (12 credits) as a full-time student, I was a part-time until last semister, but since this semister I started with my bachelor's I decided to step it up a notch. If I would've enrolled as a part-time student the time frame would've been more than 2 years and a half and for me that was way to long, so I figured that I would push myself a bit more, and finish it within 17 months. But the courses in which I was enrolled in, are apparently a pain in the behind because of all the research involved, so that is probably why is taking so much of my time. But I look at this way 17 more months instead of almost 3 years, I don't think I could take 3 more years of this.
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
2 Feb 11
I did it when I had one child but I wasn't working then...that was fine.
But after I had two kids, I did the same....was just too much for me to handle. I set up a schedule but I learnt that toddlers (not all of them) like schedules and stick to them. My older son loved a routine...but my younger one didn't...and my routine/schedule didn't work for him. It drove me crazy and I had to take a break from studies for a year and I didn't do my assignments that year. I wasn't very happy about it but I had no option.
So, either you take do the part time course or give up working (whichever works for you).
Having said that...you are the best person to work out your schedule. Is there someone else who would share the household responsibilities with you?
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
4 Feb 11
I know exactly what you mean about routine and schedules, luckily I have been pretty good with my scheduling of school, the only thing is that I have to start so late in the night, in order to spend time with my kids. My kids normally go to sleep by 8PM, so by the time I start school work is about 9PM. But at least once they're in their bedroom I have no interruption.
Luckily my hubby is very supportive and is always helping me around the house and the kids, but we are both going to school, so it tends to get a bit complicated, but we just started recently doing, is that we would take turns and take care of the children while the other can go ahead and take a bit of time to study. Luckily that has been working during the weekend, weekdays it's a bit more complicated.
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
1 Feb 11
Hello fabsprecious
I for one would award the best response directly to vonmac.
I am in my last year of Bachelor's degree in International Business management, and i have worked in 2010 from february to november, going over 2 exam sessions, not falling one, but i had to forgeit the work, because it was way to tiring and i wasn't managing to get to school at all.
I have no kids, and i found it really hard, so i can't begin to imagine what you are going through each day. It's going to be hell for you if you keep it up, and 17 months is a lot of time.
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
2 Feb 11
Congratulations, you're almost there, I can't wait myself to be over with it already, I should've done this earlier when I didn't have so much responsibilities, but atleast I have the support of my family helping through it. Actually when you come to think of it, 17 months isn't really to long, if you put together the past two and a half years it's taken me to get this far.
@Blwilkin (19)
• United States
2 Feb 11
Good Luck, School by itself is hard, but add in everything you have to deal with it is a marathon. All I can suggest to you is that when you get a break take a good long vacation. If you don't rest as hard as you work then you will break down and be unable to function. Good Luck:)
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
2 Feb 11
Oh trust me a vacation is definitely forth coming, I have it already planned for this May it's just going to be my kids and hubby in a 7 day Disney Cruise. I am looking to 2 weeks of no school, with fun and relaxation and most importantly no stress. God knows me and my hubby need it.
@buli23 (550)
• India
2 Feb 11
I also did many work when I was in college. I had to earn money for my family. I think as per the situation we have to set our program. I had give much time for my earnings at the night. In spite of the i complete my study within due course.
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
2 Feb 11
I know how difficult in can be to go to work and get an education, but at least you were successful in accomplishing your goals.
@Tweety111 (12)
• United States
1 Feb 11
I would suggest do not overburden yourself with so many things. It would be better if you go to school part-time and manage everything else with it. Its more important to do good in classes than to finish it in less time with bad grades. I over burdened myself in college and I regret that now. As the classes start getting hard, it was very difficult for me to catch up with everything. I would suggest that you go to school as a part time, and enjoy the rest of the time with your kids:)
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
2 Feb 11
I might reconsider going back to part-time, but I would have to do it next year, because apparently I already signed all my loan papers as a full-time student. What saves me some time is the fact that my classes are all online and I don't have to be going to the campus. But I agree I try to spend as much time with my kids and hubby, those are the most precious things in my life which I have to live for.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Feb 11
My sister went to law school while working full time (and more than full time). She only had the one child (starter family lol), but a house, pets, etc. She got through it with a lot of support from her husband, but it was a tough three years....
@fabsprecious (1565)
• United States
2 Feb 11
Yes, I believe that support is a key factor. Luckily my husband is extremely supportive especially with the fact that we are both going to school at the same time, that's probably what complicates it a bit more, but I am hoping this will be over soon, I only have a year and a half left, so hopefully it shouldn't be that bad or much longer. I look at this way, is less than what I started with.
@SimpleBB (1329)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
Being a working mother is such an arduous task, much more if additional tasks been added. I envy you for having that determination to still achieve your goal and dreams. I have nothing against your will to have all those things at a time. But you can never be sure of how much can you handle and bear with these exhausting activities. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally.
If you really want to pursue your studies, just don't put pressure on your studies. And for you to be able to manage time, learn how to set priorities. Give more time to things you seems needs to priotize. Coordinationa of time and prioritizing things are relevant in your situation. You may also ask assistance from your husband, not only with your school tasks but more of on part of your children. Understanding and support is all you need in your situation. Good luck, I know with that determination and focus on obtaining your dreams will soon pays off.
