Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Fear and excitement

Next week I start my life as a graduate student. I'll take the first class toward a Master of Information Science degree.

I'm excited and terrified at the same time.

Going back to school, and for this degree, is something I really want to do. My plan for the past several years has been to work toward a graduate degree while the boys are young but in school so my schedule can be similar to theirs. It's a good opportunity to do it now, when I'm ready to make changes and get back into doing something for me.

But it's been 17 years since I graduated college. 17. Years.

I'm out of practice at this school thing. Taking tests, writing papers.

Learning new things I'm okay with. I'm usually pretty quick at learning, and I like to learn. The MIS is also a degree I think suits my talents and interests. I like working with data. This is going to be fun!

I'm lucky. I'm starting with one course while we figure out how all this is going to work. It's a big change for all of us. I'll probably take one or two each semester instead of a full load of three because I have the luxury to do so. Believe me, I know it's a luxury.

I'm not in a rush to finish in the 2 1/2 years that the degree is designed to be completed in, so taking 4 or 5 is fine. By then, the boys will be much more self-sufficient. I won't have to worry about snow days and breaks as much.

And then there's the boys seeing me going to school. They sort of remember going to Chris's graduation, but they didn't really realize he was in graduate school. They are old enough now, and it's different enough for me to be gone, that they know I'm going to school. They ask about it. And they talk about going to college when they grow up.

(I don't see that as a bad thing. While they certainly don't need to go to college if it isn't right for them, we do want them to get some training or education beyond high school, whether it be college, trade school, or an apprenticeship.)

Class starts next week. I'll have a student ID. And homework. And projects. And papers and tests. And in a couple of years I'll have a diploma. And then it'll be time to look for a job, but that's another story.

2 comments:

  1. Yay! What classes are you taking? You're gonna do great :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm starting with Z401. I feel like I need to take it, even though it isn't required, just to make sure I'm up to date on stuff. Also, it's a nice way to get my feet wet.

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