Confused And Ready To Give Up

[PatsGirl1]

I considered the MLA from Harvard, but the residencies would get me. I have no idea how I could even work that out.

How are you doing it Jennifer? I know you have 4 (?I think) kids, so I'm curious, because I'm nervous how I would work it with leaving Violet, and how it would work financially.

[PatsGirl1]

... U could have your Masters from Harvard in a few short years from now.

Are their degrees really all in Latin? It's kind of neat.

[cookderosa]

I considered the MLA from Harvard, but the residencies would get me. I have no idea how I could even work that out.

How are you doing it Jennifer? I know you have 4 (?I think) kids, so I'm curious, because I'm nervous how I would work it with leaving Violet, and how it would work financially.

>>

Well, a few things. This is going to be more than you asked for, but I'm happy to answer. First, I don't have a newborn. 4 years ago this wouldn't have been an option for me. My youngest is 4, and we are finished having children. That puts me in a little different place since I won't be starting over with a baby this year or next (bitter sweet) Second, Harvard allows you to do your 2 residencies in the summer, and those sessions are only 8 weeks long. So, for me, it won't be until summer 2010 that I will be gone for my first 8 weeks. My kids will be 16, 12, 10, and 6 that summer. I'll do my second residency the following summer. This is not the fast pace many people are looking for when they think of their master's degree, but I need to spread it out over 4 years so that I'm not gone. My husband also works a very constant 6-3/M-F shift and the kids are homeschooled, so they don't leave, need to be dropped at school/sitter, etc. We will probably have my mom come in a few of the mornings (she lives near by) or have my husband's mom come stay with us for a few weeks, and probably my hubby will use some of his vacation time- maybe taking off one day per week the whole time. My oldest can even baby sit one day per week as well. Anyway, I'll get it worked out by then. (If not, I will push it back to 2011 as my first summer)
You didn't ask this question, but I have to say it anyway- In 14 years I have never used a baby sitter or even had to fed them a bottle. I have nursed in between teaching classes, brought my mom (and paid) for her to come with me on conventions or catering events, and have always taught classes after 3pm so my husband would be home. Every year that we had a baby we timed it so they would be born in August (yes really, can you say OCD? LOL) because I never teach in the fall and would have that semester off. In the spring semesters when I had newborns, my husband would drive me to work so I could nurse just before I went in, then he would pick me up so I could nurse asap after class. Granted we have been married or 15 years, so this is old hat for us now, but we have always found a way to keep the kids with us. I'm saying ALL of that because I don't want any female here to get the impression that I ever compromised "my" standards as a parent. (I do mean "my" because I'm not trying to tell any other woman what to do) but our kids were always our first priority-and I am simply entering a new season of my life when parenting allows me a little more time.

As a mother, I would tell you to keep Violet front and center. There are options to the tenth power. You'll have more options than you can even consider. You don't have to leave her.

[AGS121068]

>>

Well, a few things. This is going to be more than you asked for, but I'm happy to answer. First, I don't have a newborn. 4 years ago this wouldn't have been an option for me. My youngest is 4, and we are finished having children. That puts me in a little different place since I won't be starting over with a baby this year or next (bitter sweet) Second, Harvard allows you to do your 2 residencies in the summer, and those sessions are only 8 weeks long. So, for me, it won't be until summer 2010 that I will be gone for my first 8 weeks. My kids will be 16, 12, 10, and 6 that summer. I'll do my second residency the following summer. This is not the fast pace many people are looking for when they think of their master's degree, but I need to spread it out over 4 years so that I'm not gone. My husband also works a very constant 6-3/M-F shift and the kids are homeschooled, so they don't leave, need to be dropped at school/sitter, etc. We will probably have my mom come in a few of the mornings (she lives near by) or have my husband's mom come stay with us for a few weeks, and probably my hubby will use some of his vacation time- maybe taking off one day per week the whole time. My oldest can even baby sit one day per week as well. Anyway, I'll get it worked out by then. (If not, I will push it back to 2011 as my first summer)
You didn't ask this question, but I have to say it anyway- In 14 years I have never used a baby sitter or even had to fed them a bottle. I have nursed in between teaching classes, brought my mom (and paid) for her to come with me on conventions or catering events, and have always taught classes after 3pm so my husband would be home. Every year that we had a baby we timed it so they would be born in August (yes really, can you say OCD? LOL) because I never teach in the fall and would have that semester off. In the spring semesters when I had newborns, my husband would drive me to work so I could nurse just before I went in, then he would pick me up so I could nurse asap after class. Granted we have been married or 15 years, so this is old hat for us now, but we have always found a way to keep the kids with us. I'm saying ALL of that because I don't want any female here to get the impression that I ever compromised "my" standards as a parent. (I do mean "my" because I'm not trying to tell any other woman what to do) but our kids were always our first priority-and I am simply entering a new season of my life when parenting allows me a little more time.

As a mother, I would tell you to keep Violet front and center. There are options to the tenth power. You'll have more options than you can even consider. You don't have to leave her.

I know everyone has obligations but taking a residency in the summer time at harvard would be a vacation away from the family . only 8 weeks which is like 2 months. Besides, bring the youngest one along and leave the oldest to your husband.

[AGS121068]

with all this talk about harvard . maybe i should get a degree out at the school .

[cookderosa]

with all this talk about harvard . maybe i should get a degree out at the school .

>>

In the spirit of full disclosure, I dropped my class this semester which was taking up too much of my time. My kids are always first. Also, my family (their grandparents) live 1 hour from Cambridge- so my kids would actually stay with them, but we would be together during the residency. It's my hubby that I would be away from.

[learflyer]

Hi Jennifer! First off, is that Culinary school in Orlando? I think I drive by it everyday:confused: . Secondly, what made you choose Harvard for a Masters, and why is there a residency requirement? Is it not online? Just curious as i'm looking at masters programs now.

[creationstory]

You could quit. Many people do. In fact, over 50% of the people who start a degree never finish.

That's one option, and I'm not going to talk you out of it for the same reason I wouldn't try and talk you into it- you have to do the work and only you know if your up to it.

So, it seems to me that you have 2 choices.

A) Earn a degree in something.

B) Don't earn a degree in anything.


Statistics prove that your income potential is higher WITH a degree. So, I would argue that it's better to have a degree in underwater basket weaving than to have no degree. Statistics also show that people who drop out of college earn no more than someone who never went to college.

IF you decide to earn a degree, you really only have to decide

A) Business

B) Not business

Both have general electives, but the business requires a core and concentration in one direction while a non-business degree goes in another direction.

I'll point out some differences:
business requires more of your "left brain" thinking. You'll have to study finance, statistics, pre-calc math, and some accounting. Business graduates are usually higher paid, and you can probably find work as a graduate without going into an MBA program. Successful business people have what's called "business acumen" which you can google. It means you are a little more competitive, a little more aggressive, and a little more driven than your average Joe. You strive for success and to come out on top.

non-business allows for more "right brain" intuitive thinking. You'll study social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences with only a single math course. The liberal arts attempt to "educate" you rather than "train" you for a career. Often you'll need to go to graduate school in order to do the job of your undergrad major (a psychologist, a professor, a scientist, etc) Liberal arts people are thinkers. They love learning and understanding the bigger picture. They appreciate art and culture. They think about people and our society. They contemplate.

Most people can say "that's me" to one of the above. I think you should go with the one that is a better fit, not the one you think you should become.

Finally, LISTEN to some of the advise you are getting. It's good! It's sound.

Barcotta wrote :
IMHO, what you need to do is collect as much information as possible (likely already done) put it all together to the best of your ability, make a decision and DON'T LOOK BACK. Reading this forum will steer you clear of most serious mistakes.

If I had this to do over again, I would have exchanged almost half of the time I spent deciding and redeciding and hand-wringing and checking and double-checking for CLEP study time. I probably could have knocked off three or more months in completing my degree by just studying the flashcards instead of wondering if I should take a cheap keyboarding class for easy credit (and calling and writing the school and setting up an account and trying to get the book for a good price and all the other time-suckers that involves).


You should read it twice. It's spot on. Petedude also gave you great advise- he said to worry about your "specialty" in your grad degree. I couldn't agree more. On the road through your bachelor's degree, you will gain skills and exposure that better qualify you to consider grad school options. Simply, you'll probably know what you like and what your good at by the time your done with your bachelor's degree.

Sorry I'm feeling a little long winded, but I have a question for you now. Is "this" the big huge important decision that your letting derail your entire future?

such a great point!