I'm suffering a from a quandary and I'm hoping to solicit some much-needed advice.
I dropped out of college when I was 19. It's a long story, but it basically came down to a job offer and an identity crisis. After completing a year of college in high school and floundering while I tried to find my place at a big university, I decided that a hiatus was best.
I love learning. I always said that if I had a job/passion that required school, I'd love to go back. Now may be that time. I earned my current position through experience. Kicking ass and being damn good at what I do. Now, at the level I'm working, all of my colleagues at least have a college education. Most have double majors, additional certificates, Masters degrees, etc. For the first time since I started my professional career that I've felt self conscious about my lack of education.
For the past couple of months I have been toying with going back. My employer provides an annual allowance for school. It wouldn't cover everything, but it would be close. It was the last week of June that I pulled up the adviser contact information and started talking to Jeremy. Well, it was the next week that Sprout came into my life.
This is where I can use the advice. Can I handle both trying to conceive/being pregnant and going to school? And I wouldn't get off that easy - can I handle a child and classes?
What are your experiences? What things should I be considering (besides a padded cell)?
I clearly have a few decisions to make!
I think it's hard to balance kids and school, but if it's what you really want, you can make it work. You know that I decided to go to seminary, but it became clear very quickly that it was too much for me to handle with parenthood. However, I do think that taking undergrad courses would be more manageable because the course load tends to be more realistic. Just start small and work your way up to see what you can handle. I hope that if you decide to go back now, everything works out for the best and you enjoy it!! Good luck with whatever you decide!!
ReplyDeleteI say go for it. I have been putting off going back to school or going back to work all in the name of conceiving a child and here we are a year and a half later, still no baby and I wish I would of just bit the bullet and done it, either school or new job. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm working, trying to conceive and started grad school this year. It has been an emotional rollercoster and really, really trying, BUT I believe if it's something you will really value, you'll make it work.
ReplyDeleteI will tell you that it's taken my mind off of TTC a little. When you have a paper deadline, it's impossible to worry about every single twinge in the TWW. :)
An education will never hurt. Neither will taking time off when you get pregnant/have the baby if it interferes with your schooling.
ReplyDeletePlus. I love you :)
Susan, you are one of my smarty pants inspirations. :)
ReplyDeleteI have no experience (obviously!) but I don't think anyone says, "Gosh, I wish I'd taken the opportunity to learn less."
ReplyDeleteThree women in my part-time MBA program had babies and still managed to finish on time. You can do it if you want to, especially if you give yourself permission to take it slow! :)
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