working full time and going to graduate school

[Anonymous]

Has anyone here been successful in completing a grad school program while working full time with a child or children? I really want to switch careers and need a masters to help me do that. Any tips?

[Anonymous]

My DH will get his masters in May. He also works full time (as do I) and we have kids. It has been a long few years. He has been pretty much absent, always locked in his home office studying and doing assignments. It can be done but your spouse MUST be supportive or you will wind up fighting a lot.

[Anonymous]

I had a baby halfway into my graduate program while working full time. I remember writing here asking for tips when I was pregnant and many posters told me it's practically impossible. I just graduated last fall! I spent my lunch hours and any downtime I had at work reading or studying. I also pulled a few all nighters studying or writing papers so I could spend as much time with my family as possible.

There were a handful of parents in my program, most of them men, but also some women. PP's mention of a supportive spouse really is key. I took online classes when they were offered, but they were far and few between. I typically had classes two nights a week. I would rush home to make dinner, greet my husband and son and leave. DH took on the childcare responsibilites by himself those days. He did the same when I had group projects or meetings on weekends. And then there were just times (like during finals) when I had to have a few hours of silence to study, and DH would take the baby out for a few hours so I could have some quiet time. He really was wonderful.

Best of luck OP, it's hard, but it is defintiely possible.

[Anonymous]

Had to finish my with an online program. It was miserable and I feel I missed out on the early years with my child.

[Anonymous]

Yes. It sucked, but it is possible if your spouse is on board and competent to handle the children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had to finish my with an online program. It was miserable and I feel I missed out on the early years with my child.

Same here. I ultimately don't regret it, because having a master's on your resume does make a difference, but it was a tough price to pay.

[Anonymous]

I started my graduate program when my daughter was 6 weeks old. My husband also did his graduate degree when he was working and our daughter was 2. I'm not saying its easy, but it can be done. I found that being organized and sticking to a schedule helped get everything done. I definitely think it was worth it.

[Anonymous]

If you're a manager in the Federal Gov't, no problem. Just close your office door, pretend like you doing job-related work, and do your studying. That's what they do at my agency. In the old days, they could even get away with having subordinates write their papers.....

[Anonymous]

As a professor with many working parents in class, it seems very difficult. I see it from the other side. The excuses coming from grown adults is just amazing. Can't turn in homework since DD had soccer tourney all weekend; not able to attend class because DC has school play; need to travel for work and won't be able to make the exam. Each one of these is litgitimate. However when the entire class is doing it, it become difficult to balance what is fair. Why does one student get more time then another because their child is sick? My point is time management is crucial. You cannot wait until the last minute to complete readings and assignments because you never know what is going to come up...you have to balance work, family, spouse, and school obligations. And some time during the semester you need some time just for you. Everyone does. It's a hard balancing act. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

It is absolutely possible and so many people do it, but the level of difficulty depends on your family and your personality. Some people are really good at multi-tasking and planning - if that is you then you are good because you HAVE to be efficient with your time. Some people get stressed very easily, procrastinate, or cannot multi-task - these people can still get through it but it will be much more difficult.

In undergrad were you the type that needed to lock themselves in a silent room for days to study? Or were you the type that was able to work and study in a loud environment with friends bothering you every second?

Either way if you are determined and plan accordingly you can absolutely do it! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I am currently working and attending grad school. It's very tough, grad work is 4x more intensive than my undergraduate program. I have three, grade school aged kids. I put in 3-5 hours per day in homework and studying. I try to avoid classwork between 6pm-9pm each evening and I keep most of Saturday for the family.

Typical week day:
7:30am-8:40 morning routine, get kids to the bus, go to work
9-5:30pm- work; spend at least an hour on discussion boards or doing some research for papers, actual workload permitting
6:9pm: dinner, kids homework, evening routine
9-12am classwork

Saturday I won't touch classwork until after dinner (7pm or so). We try to get out of the house, swim lessons, bike riding gardening, etc.
Sunday is laundry and classwork

I do have a very supportive spouse. He leaves early for work and is home during the evening routine and all weekend. He makes sure to take the kids out if I have a hard deadline.

[Anonymous]

Husband will soon get his M.S. He began taking a few courses here and there via distance learning at a top tier public university and thought he'd just stop there. A mentor pointed out that with a bit more effort and taking a semester here and there, he could get his Masters. It has taken over five years, but it was manageable for him. We have four young children and I SAH.

I'd strongly recommend distance learning, if applicable. I may do the same.

[Anonymous]

I took online courses that had very loose deadlines. I could complete them at my own pace, and take the tests when I was ready. I created a regular study schedule - one that had daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals. It took a bit longer than I first expected, but I got there.

[Anonymous]

I ran a startup company and did my MBA at the same time, and in a different city no less (so flew 2 hours each way every week). It requires really good time management, and your entire social life will become 0 during that time, but remember it's not forever. At the end of the 2 years, you'll be really glad you did it.