Anyone else in grad school?

JesscanTri

Just curious if I am the only crazy one in school right now and how other students are handling it. I have so much work to do (paper after paper) and am trying to be proactive in case the LO decides to make an early escape. On top of taking 3 graduate level courses this semester, I was just offered more hours at my job due to a resignation. It's too much and I feel like doing absolutely nothing! That's the end of my pity party.

missrekaeagle

I'm in grad school and taking 3 courses this semester, too. I've been in my program since last fall, and I must admit this has been the hardest semester yet. My DH was sweet enough to let me quit my job so I can focus on school and rest up for our LO, so I can't complain too much. I've only been out of work for 2 weeks, and it has made a big difference in my energy level.

Jag5520

I am finishing up my Bachelor's right now. I have 4 classes this semester. I've been feeling overwhelmed with finals coming up in 4 weeks and LO in 6 weeks! Good luck, you can do it!

MamaStef0810

I'm a doctoral student, just got finished with comps, thankfully. I also teach a University 101 class for freshmen. My c-section is scheduled for December 15, right in the middle of finals but my class doesn't have a final. 

JesscanTri

MamaStef0810:

I'm a doctoral student, just got finished with comps, thankfully. I also teach a University 101 class for freshmen. My c-section is scheduled for December 15, right in the middle of finals but my class doesn't have a final. 

Yikes! Looking at your schedule, I realize I need to stop my complaining and get to work. You're my hero! And I can't even fathom how you could study for comps right now. It has just been really hard to focus on school with all of the excitement of the LO.

callthewind

I take one class every 5 weeks and just finished my second to last course. The last one starts next week and ends the week after my due date. I will survive this... somehow!

MamaStef0810

JesscanTri:

MamaStef0810:

I'm a doctoral student, just got finished with comps, thankfully. I also teach a University 101 class for freshmen. My c-section is scheduled for December 15, right in the middle of finals but my class doesn't have a final. 

Yikes! Looking at your schedule, I realize I need to stop my complaining and get to work. You're my hero! And I can't even fathom how you could study for comps right now. It has just been really hard to focus on school with all of the excitement of the LO.

 

Awww, you can totally do it! I've had some really great mentors who have always given me great advice. This time of our lives with young children is actually the best time to be in grad school. Once the kids get older their schedules will pull you away even more, and you never want to miss out on all of the growing up that they will do. I have fond memories of nursing and rocking my son while studying theory and case studies. I used to prop him on the table over my shoulder and bounce him while writing papers. Luckily with comps done I'll have a few months to relax a bit. My committee has always been very understanding as well. My family knows what a huge payoff it will be when I'm done. I want my children to know how much I value education as well. You'll do fine.  

shaw

I was taking an accelerated grad program while working full time.  Luckily, I finished the program right before getting pregnant.  I was literally working on work or school work allllll the time.  There would have been no way!?  Good luck ladies in finishing up your classes.  Hopefully you get a little time to rest before LO arrives :O)

JesscanTri

MamaStef0810:

JesscanTri:

MamaStef0810:

I'm a doctoral student, just got finished with comps, thankfully. I also teach a University 101 class for freshmen. My c-section is scheduled for December 15, right in the middle of finals but my class doesn't have a final. 

Yikes! Looking at your schedule, I realize I need to stop my complaining and get to work. You're my hero! And I can't even fathom how you could study for comps right now. It has just been really hard to focus on school with all of the excitement of the LO.

 

Awww, you can totally do it! I've had some really great mentors who have always given me great advice. This time of our lives with young children is actually the best time to be in grad school. Once the kids get older their schedules will pull you away even more, and you never want to miss out on all of the growing up that they will do. I have fond memories of nursing and rocking my son while studying theory and case studies. I used to prop him on the table over my shoulder and bounce him while writing papers. Luckily with comps done I'll have a few months to relax a bit. My committee has always been very understanding as well. My family knows what a huge payoff it will be when I'm done. I want my children to know how much I value education as well. You'll do fine.  

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed to hear right now. I have felt so much pressure to get everything done and I think I just need to calm down. It is definitely possible to have a baby and still be successful in my classes. You're story is very sweet and made me a little teary eyed. 

LittleDucky

I'm in law school taking four classes this semester (plus a 1-credit class that was just for the first half of the semester so it is over now) and I got put on bedrest last week.  Ugh.  I had to withdraw from one of my courses, but at least three of them I should be able to get credit for, even if I end up with terrible grades.

For two of my classes, 100% of the grade is an exam so I am listening to the recordings of classes at home and I will be allowed to take the exams on the deferred exam dates (Dec. 20-22 and Jan. 5-7).  For the third class, the paper is 70% and class participation counts for 30% of the grade, but the professor said that I participated enough for the rest of the semester so it's okay.  My paper due date has been extended to Feb. 15.

It is going to really, really suck to have to take my exams and finish my paper after the LO is here, but what can you do?  I'm trying to get as much work done as possible on bedrest, but it is really hard to type/study/pay attention when I am supposed to lie on my side the whole time.  I manage to use my computer okay to bump, but actually doing work on the computer is difficult.

vollmasm

I'm in my 3rd year of law school and I took 16 credit hours this semester so that I will only need 13 hours in the spring to graduate.  I also work 13 hours a week and I was doing an externship with a judge for 9 hours a week, but that's over now (THANK GOD).  I have 2 papers and 2 exams this semester.  My exams are a week after my due date, so hopefully Maddie comes a week early or a week late, otherwise I will have to take my exams on a deferred basis, dates pending when she decides to show up.  My goal is to have my papers done, minus the final edit, by Thanksgiving.  I have found that the only way I am getting through it is to zone out as much as possible and just not think about it, just do it.

I'm tired just talking about it....only a few more weeks until sweet sweet freedom from school and until my sweet little girl arrives!  We can do it! 

kat81

I'm not, but I recently came from grad school. I totally understand what you're going through, and to be due at the end of the semester must be especially crazy.

That being said, I wish I had felt ready to have a kid sooner, while I was still in grad school. I was getting my PhD so the last few years were very flexible. I could have managed, possibly more easily than in my current job and definitely more easily in any future job I'd have (e.g. tenure track assistant professor.) 

But I don't say this to downplay your situation AT ALL. I think that it's really hard because if you're taking classes they don't just stop for you to have a baby the way a job lets you take leave. Good luck!!!

ashleynicoles

I just wanted to say that I am so incredibly proud of all of you ladies who are managing such heavy workloads right now! You're most definitely inspiring. 

I deferred my acceptance to grad school for a year because where I live, in Europe, full time is double the credits as in the States (30 credits/semester for undergrad and 15 for grad)...and they are all 100% exam based. There are no deferred exam dates and my exams were scheduled for January 3rd.

Basically my academic advisor told me I had no other choice except to defer. The only start date is in September so I had to defer an entire year.