Going back to college
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Cheetaara
- Posts: 326
- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
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Going back to college
Any ideas on how to get into the groove of going back to college. I just started back on University of Phoenix after a 9 year break from schooling. Just going back to school is a big mental drain in itself where it's been so long. But doing a full time job, a part time job and help taking care of the family is extremely demanding. I would like to know ways that can help with this if anyone got any suggestions, I would be greatful hearing them. Unfortunately, dropping class load ( they do 1 class at a time, but it is fast track, so a lot to do at once) is not an option, nor is quitting any jobs or helping the family.
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That is a heavy demand Cheet. If you had any other choice, I wouldn't recommend what you are doing. Burnout is going to be a serious issue.
That being said - some things you are absolutely going to have to do:
1) Talk to your family - let them know you need their emotional support. When you are doing "school" time, it has to be just that.
2) Sit down and write out a schedule:
---- a) Map in your work hours **see note below
---- b) Map in static class time (if you have a designated online meeting time)
---- c) Map sleep (an important component many people forget)
---- d) Map family or study/homework time (one of these - don't put family / study - you specifically have to designate one or the other)
---- e) Map the other item that didn't get mapped in d
3) If you can't sit down and write it out and fit it all in, then it's not going to work when you actually try to do it
4) STOP EVERQUEST - I know... it's hard, but take it from my experience, it's only temporary and most of us can do anything for a short time.
5) No TV unless it's also while you are also doing family or study/homework time. Again, I know it seems harsh, but it's doable. DVR is a great tool here.
6) Stick to the schedule as much as humanly possible. Post the schedule where it's easy for everyone in the family to see as a reminder of what "mode" you are in so they can support you. Certainly emergencies, etc will happen to deviate from the schedule, but don't let non-emergencies start "morphing" into emergencies. When time is lost from one area, it usually has to be made up from another area, typically sleep.
7) When it gets too hard to take (and it will), sit back and remember why you are doing this in the first place.
** Note: If you have a job where you have variable / shift hours, you will have to update this every week. An easy tool to use that works well is an excel spreadsheet where you can set up the sheet like a weekly calendar with days of the week across the top and hours along the left. Then just block out time slots for each "mode" and color code them.
That being said - some things you are absolutely going to have to do:
1) Talk to your family - let them know you need their emotional support. When you are doing "school" time, it has to be just that.
2) Sit down and write out a schedule:
---- a) Map in your work hours **see note below
---- b) Map in static class time (if you have a designated online meeting time)
---- c) Map sleep (an important component many people forget)
---- d) Map family or study/homework time (one of these - don't put family / study - you specifically have to designate one or the other)
---- e) Map the other item that didn't get mapped in d
3) If you can't sit down and write it out and fit it all in, then it's not going to work when you actually try to do it
4) STOP EVERQUEST - I know... it's hard, but take it from my experience, it's only temporary and most of us can do anything for a short time.
5) No TV unless it's also while you are also doing family or study/homework time. Again, I know it seems harsh, but it's doable. DVR is a great tool here.
6) Stick to the schedule as much as humanly possible. Post the schedule where it's easy for everyone in the family to see as a reminder of what "mode" you are in so they can support you. Certainly emergencies, etc will happen to deviate from the schedule, but don't let non-emergencies start "morphing" into emergencies. When time is lost from one area, it usually has to be made up from another area, typically sleep.
7) When it gets too hard to take (and it will), sit back and remember why you are doing this in the first place.
** Note: If you have a job where you have variable / shift hours, you will have to update this every week. An easy tool to use that works well is an excel spreadsheet where you can set up the sheet like a weekly calendar with days of the week across the top and hours along the left. Then just block out time slots for each "mode" and color code them.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Theresa
Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.
One of the best things about it is that it is online and homework is not due until 2 am my time, where they are based in Arizona. That provides me a couple hours after work to finish something off or anything of the sort.
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For every credit hour of the class make sure you give yourself at least an hour for reading/homework.
If its a programming class expect them to take a bit longer.
I took a class last quarter and was surprised to find how demanding it was. You are going to have to give up quite a bit of "free" time to get anything out of the classes.
If I may be so bold as to as WHY you are going back?
If its a programming class expect them to take a bit longer.
I took a class last quarter and was surprised to find how demanding it was. You are going to have to give up quite a bit of "free" time to get anything out of the classes.
If I may be so bold as to as WHY you are going back?
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Burleybarley
- Reporter
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2011 11:03 pm
There is also hidden stuffs.
I'm not sure what level degree you are looking at, but when I was in the PHD program, you were required to attend (at least once a quarter) a consortium of other PHD types to basically show how your dissertation was taking shape or to assist in others work. Of course for the low low price of $99.99 ..... plus costs for lab...books...extra exams....
I'm not sure what level degree you are looking at, but when I was in the PHD program, you were required to attend (at least once a quarter) a consortium of other PHD types to basically show how your dissertation was taking shape or to assist in others work. Of course for the low low price of $99.99 ..... plus costs for lab...books...extra exams....
These are the tricks I use:
1) Always learn the material from at at least 2 sources. That means if there's a lecture and a textbook listen to the lecture AND read the textbook. If you miss the lecture/don't want to pay for the textbook/whatever, wikipedia is your friend but remember to check their sources and if something isn't cited don't trust it. Also, some schools post lecture notes from their professors for free on the internet. I have found these to be sometimes useful.
2) Peer-reviewed research journals are your most accurate source of information. If you doubt something, check the literature.
3) Make at least one friend in each class. Having someone going through the same thing as you can really help you understand the material. Even if you never talk to the person again after the final exam, it's usually worth it.
4) At least look at every assignment 48hrs in advance. If there's something you need help understanding, or for any other reason you need the professors help, you want to leave 24hrs for them to respond and 24hrs to find the time finish the assignment.
1) Always learn the material from at at least 2 sources. That means if there's a lecture and a textbook listen to the lecture AND read the textbook. If you miss the lecture/don't want to pay for the textbook/whatever, wikipedia is your friend but remember to check their sources and if something isn't cited don't trust it. Also, some schools post lecture notes from their professors for free on the internet. I have found these to be sometimes useful.
2) Peer-reviewed research journals are your most accurate source of information. If you doubt something, check the literature.
3) Make at least one friend in each class. Having someone going through the same thing as you can really help you understand the material. Even if you never talk to the person again after the final exam, it's usually worth it.
4) At least look at every assignment 48hrs in advance. If there's something you need help understanding, or for any other reason you need the professors help, you want to leave 24hrs for them to respond and 24hrs to find the time finish the assignment.
I am going for a BA in Computer Science with Web Development Focus, followed by a Masters in the same, but with a Programming focus.
Right now, I am allowing about 3 hours a day for reading, posting, homework, and it's been going real smoothly.
Right now though I am completely worn out, I actually completed everything for the rest of my class for the time being. I am now 2 weeks ahead, though I have not turned them in. I just did the assignments I have to upload, and will upload them when the time comes. All I have to do now is make a bunch of posts on each week for "participation".
It is working well this way, but at the time when I do those assignments, it takes a crap ton out of me.
Right now, I am allowing about 3 hours a day for reading, posting, homework, and it's been going real smoothly.
Right now though I am completely worn out, I actually completed everything for the rest of my class for the time being. I am now 2 weeks ahead, though I have not turned them in. I just did the assignments I have to upload, and will upload them when the time comes. All I have to do now is make a bunch of posts on each week for "participation".
It is working well this way, but at the time when I do those assignments, it takes a crap ton out of me.
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I worked at a University and as a Staff member got to take 1 free class each semester. I took advantage of that, and also took classes at a local Jr. college after hours and on Saturdays. Then a local private University offered a fast-track 18 month (after hours) business degree, and I finished up with that. In total it took me 8 years going part time, but I had a decent career already, and that piece of paper boosted it even more.
I also did part of a Master's degree, but the University was undergoing another Computer System Transformation, of which I was a big part (lots of after-hours work). Also my mother was requiring quite a bit of assistance, and I realized there weren't enough hours in the day to do it all! So I dropped out after 3 classes. Master's level work is about 5x greater than undergrad--for each class you take.
The one thing that got me through it all was that light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn't last forever, just a small part of your life in the big scheme of things. And when you're done you feel really good about yourself. I also enjoyed the learning process and that helped a lot.
Ylyrra has the best advice, but another thing to consider is Student Loans. Working full time and getting free classes meant that I paid as I went. The few loans I took out in the end were minimal, and paid off in no time. But I have friends who are so in debt, they spend so much of their income on student loan payments that they regret even going to college. Definitely consider the cost and evaluate your Return on Investment.
I also did part of a Master's degree, but the University was undergoing another Computer System Transformation, of which I was a big part (lots of after-hours work). Also my mother was requiring quite a bit of assistance, and I realized there weren't enough hours in the day to do it all! So I dropped out after 3 classes. Master's level work is about 5x greater than undergrad--for each class you take.
The one thing that got me through it all was that light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn't last forever, just a small part of your life in the big scheme of things. And when you're done you feel really good about yourself. I also enjoyed the learning process and that helped a lot.
Ylyrra has the best advice, but another thing to consider is Student Loans. Working full time and getting free classes meant that I paid as I went. The few loans I took out in the end were minimal, and paid off in no time. But I have friends who are so in debt, they spend so much of their income on student loan payments that they regret even going to college. Definitely consider the cost and evaluate your Return on Investment.
~ Why is there never enough time to do something right the first time, but always time to do it over? ~
Yea, I already have 1/3rd of it done from awhile ago. With the way it's set up is for me to finish a little past November of 2016. The light at the end of the tunnel, and to make sure my future child will be financially stable and have a good childhood unlike me as a child hehe
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