college is getting so hard

[Tiggeroo]

I'm just going to whine. I'm in college finishing up my educ. degree. I will be teaching hs history/social studies. I was also going to get an additional cert in Latin since I have to take 4 semesters of it.
I'm a sr. but the way my school requirements work I will have to get two degrees, one in history and one in educ. I can take some of the stuff concurrently but I will still have at least an extra year to three sems. to get the educ. degree.
I have three in college and am 42yo. Latin is so tough. I know I did poorly on my test yesterday. I'm beginning my theses paper for history degree now. All of a sudden it just feels like graduation and real paying work is so far away. I have hit this wall and am having such a tough time finding motivation. I wish I had done this when I was 20. We don't need my pay but I'm feeling really guilty not working. I work summers though and will take a holiday job. But if I wasn't doing this and worked any job we could travel and go to wdw, etc.
Has anybody else returned to school and survived?

 

[MyGoofy26]

I didn't do college the regular way. I started out as a traditional student but realized that wasn't working out. I liked my departments and my classes, but I hated living in the city my college was in. All the friends I made, I quickly realized I couldn't trust them at all, so I ended up very closed off and stressed out so I took some time off (did the WDW college program) and decided that I didn't want to transfer, but I couldn't live in that town. So for 5 1/2 years I commuted 2 or 3 days a week (depending on semester) The occasional semester I'd do full time, but mostly I was part time and some semesters I'd take off completely to save up money.

I know that feeling you're talking about. The past year and a half was like that. It was almost like even though I knew the end wasn't too far off, I couldn't see it. I was frustrated with myself for still being in school (even though my rational side knew that had I stayed in that town I would have dropped out) It was pretty tough to overcome - it really had me down for awhile. I don't know what I did though. . I don't think I did anything, I just kept plugging along and once I got my final semester for my 1st degree that really gave me momentum to finish my 2nd.

Since you have to do 2 degrees, is there anyway to focus on finishing one, then the other? That's what I did - I knew that having a degree would boost my self-esteem so I took the rest of the classes I needed for one degree without even looking at what was left for the 2nd. (I guess I did do SOMETHING about how I felt, LOL)

One thing that also REALLY helped, is that my university really expanded their online courses. There were semesters I'd get 3 or 4 classes out of the way without ever stepping foot on campus. Gave me time to work at my own pace (I worked faster and better with online classes) AND could work. Obviously this doesn't work for everyone - depends on what your univeristy offers, and some people just don't like online courses.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

I did my masters part time while I worked. Hang in there!

 

[disney junky]

I'm just going to whine. I'm in college finishing up my educ. degree. I will be teaching hs history/social studies. I was also going to get an additional cert in Latin since I have to take 4 semesters of it.
I'm a sr. but the way my school requirements work I will have to get two degrees, one in history and one in educ. I can take some of the stuff concurrently but I will still have at least an extra year to three sems. to get the educ. degree.
I have three in college and am 42yo. Latin is so tough. I know I did poorly on my test yesterday. I'm beginning my theses paper for history degree now. All of a sudden it just feels like graduation and real paying work is so far away. I have hit this wall and am having such a tough time finding motivation. I wish I had done this when I was 20. We don't need my pay but I'm feeling really guilty not working. I work summers though and will take a holiday job. But if I wasn't doing this and worked any job we could travel and go to wdw, etc.
Has anybody else returned to school and survived?

Hang in there. It is hard, and sometimes you just think, when will this end? Why am I doing this? I got my masters with a wife and two kids while coaching three sports, in two year part time....don't know how I did it. I keep taking classes, that's the way our salary schedule is constructed, and I teach some on the side as well. Maybe it seems like you should have done it in your 20's but you didn't and you can't change it. Some day you'll look back with amazement at what you were able to accomplish. Don't feel guilty...look for the light at the end of the tunnel.

But I have to ask, Latin?????? Do many schools still offer that? Any why with social studies/history major. Doesn't it fit better with English? Just curious...

 

[caitycaity]

i think latin is a great choice!!! where i grew up you were pretty mich guaranteed a job if you wanted to be a latin teacher. they were heavily recruiting my sister for awhile (she was a classics major in college), but she decided she didn't want to teach.

i agree with the light at the end of the tunnel comment. you can do it!

i worked full time and did my MA part time, I know how hard it can be. Hang in there though - it will be worth it in the end.

 

[Tiggeroo]

History teachers do sections of latin. I wouldn't do latin alone but because I need to take the classes taking the test for it won't be much more of an effort. I wouldn't do Latin alone but since I can I will. I'll have an advantage as dh and I might be willing to relocate when I get out of school.
I'm not working as I"m doing this very full time to get through quicker. Also at this point I need so few classes that I don't have alot of control over my schedule. I do sub-teach two days a week. This is good as it will give me an advantage for work when I graduate.

 

[crz4mm2]

I went back to school in 96 for my bachelors/masters. It sucked. was sooo hard. I had a 9 yo and a 16 yo. Hardest thing I have ever done (and I worked full time too).
You can do it. Just keep working at it.
Doesn't seem like it now, but will be worth it soon. to you.

 

[Tiggeroo]

when I got my associates I had twins who were 4yo and a 7yo and I worked. It was hard but I had some sort of momentum. I was able to find my motivation. I don't know why I'm at such a lull now.

 

[Cindy B]

Good thing to have a cert in Latin. Latin teachers are hard to come by nowadays!

I'm back at school as well, but with elementary ed/writing arts and special education. I'm in my junior year but with the new NCLB deadlines its going to take over two years!

It is very very hard. I just did a midterm presentation today and I have so many other things I need to do!


I keep on thinking this is for a security for my future and my childrens futures.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I am a "traditional" student, but i have hit the "wall" as well.. I am a senior and this is my last semester of classes..I am having the hardest time right now...
hang in there!

 

[Caradana]

YOU CAN DO IT! I have huge faith in you. You've been so faithful to the DIS, you'll show that same discipline in writing the thesis. I know that the thesis, on top of Latin, can be extremely emotionally draining. Just think "a little bit at a time."

Here - for inspiration - agricola sunt! (I admit that's almost all the Latin I remember. )

 

[CaptainJackObsessed]

I'm a freshman...what fun and I commute so I live at home. I'm still told to study and do homework...but its nice to be around family all the time too! I get to go on family vacations. Definately missing some classes to go to WDW

 

[CaptainJackObsessed]

Its only 2 classes, and I am not doing anything in one, its the last day of class and my other class he is just reviewing stuff. Those will be the only 2 classes I miss, I have my flamesuit on, no need to yell at me.

 

[Pixiedust34]

You can do it! My dh returned to college in his 30s. His major was secondary education/history. I understand about your workload because he had to take a ton of classes in both education and history. All of his hard work has paid off because now he is a fine history teacher. Someday you'll be a fine teacher, too.

 

[taximomfor4]

awww, hang in there. Good for you, pursuing a career that interests you at age 42!! I returned to school also, several years ago. I will (if I hang in a BIT longer) graduate in May, becoming an RN. I question whether I can stick with this all the time. Today, in fact, I am questioning whether I should just throw in the towel. The schooling is rigorous, my kids are young and NEED me more than I am available, and I am so MEAAAAN all the time. I am a 4.0 student still, and I think I put a lot of extra pressure on myself -- proving something to myself or something. I am scared to death that I will drag myself and family through this, and then hate being an RN.

Just hang in there, and feel free to vent here whenever you need to. My dh is a high school history/social studies teacher (double major). He likes going to work. Imagine that -- I have never liked my jobs.