Transitioning Back to the Classroom
Posted October 24th, 2007 by Mary MartinWeek four of grad school and I have two graduate level papers due on back to back days. I really don’t remember the last time I wrote a paper that I had to turn in as an assignment and receive a grade. Ah, yes it was 7 years ago, so needless to say, I felt a little bit rusty. I had been enjoying attending the classes, had kept up on the reading, but the thing that freaked me out the most was writing papers again. Frankly, I couldn’t even remember if I was good at it. The other kicker, writing in the APA style! That is a skill that I would have to learn, since that is a style that was completely foreign to me. When I found out that there was a guide that was 400 pages long that described and gave rules for the form, to say I was overwhelmed, would be an understatement. Well, with help from a veteran CSSAer and strategic searching through the APA guide, I think it turned out ok. Although, I do think it may have taken longer to figure out the style then actually writing one of the papers. Well, it was time well spent and I feel more confident for the future.
Working full time and going to school part time will be a challenge. Just like I believe working part time and going to school full time must be a challenge as well. I keep reminding myself that I can do anything for three years. Heck, it is not even three years at this point, I have made it through half a term. I already feel better! I know it will be a lot of hard work, but I also know it will be worth it. I already see ways I can use what I learn in the program in my day to day job duties, which I find exciting.
So, the transition has been going well. I would say the hardest part of the transition to this point has been learning how to be a student again. A few bumps in the road, but those bumps have helped me grow as a student. I also have been reminded and have been mindful of the transition that my first students are going through in my Freshman Year Experience Seminar that I co-instruct. Being a student myself has helped me be a better instructor for them.
Until next time….
Patrick Moser
November 6th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Patrick, take it from a former part-timer who pulled it off in three years: It can be done.
It’s a massive amount of juggling and a constant whirl of reprioritizing. But, a body in motion stays in motion, right?
The best advise I can offer is this: don’t spend too much time dwelling on the amount of work that needs to be done (and the lack of hours in which to do it), just do it. Keep the momentum going and inertia will take you through the rough patches.
You will have a CSSA experience that few others have had. You will (if you haven’t already) very quickly appreciate and cherish that symbiotic relationship between work and school. (Don’t fight to keep them separate – they are two worlds that can enhance each other.)
And, perhaps the coolest part of all, you get to start with one cohort and graduate with another. Your networking base has immediately doubled!
Best wishes to you. God speed…