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please someone remind me that out of sacrifice comes reward (or something like that?)

I feel so overwhelmed and I'm not sure I am making the right decision concerning my future...that maybe I shouldn't have started this.

I know deep inside, WHATEVER happens... I'll work it out but I just can't ignore the feeling that I'm making a mistake. I feel like I don't 'get it.' but I must get it somewhat b/c I'm pulling a 4.0

Perhaps its just the stress of graduate school combined with work & motherhood that is making me feel like I won't LOVE this career?

I wish I was 10 years younger...

I wish I didn't worry about things I have no control over.

ok vent over.. back to work.

someone please validate me... kthnxbi.

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also for those that pursued a masters, did you feel totally lost while in graduate school, but love what you do now?

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I have every confidence that you will find your way, whatever path that may be.

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Posted by nrthshgrl

I have every confidence that you will find your way, whatever path that may be.

Message edited 9/16/2009 11:34:24 AM.

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I felt like an idiot in graduate school. As an undergrad student, I always felt like I was the top of my class. . . and things came to me somewhat easily. Once I got to graduate school, I felt like everyone else GOT IT and I never could. I felt like I was barely making it, like a fraud that would eventually be uncovered. BUT you know what? I graduated with a 3.9 GPA and all of my professors encouraged me to pursue my doctorate.

In the end, I am not using my degree but I am very proud of myself.

The fact that you are doing all of this AND you are a mom, is amazing! AMAZING! I don't know HOW you do it, but you ARE and you WILL continue to do so!! You know it will all work out in the end, try to focus on on that! Best of luck!

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Just think how much your sacrifice will be over once you are done with everything. This semester is really really tough on me but I am just thinking that it will be over soon and next semester I will make a better schedule for myself. I also have a countdown of semesters to go to before I graduate.

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Aww C, try to relax, you're in the "middle" and that's the hardest part. THe excitement of a new beginning has worn off and you're not yet in view of the "finish line". PLUS, and this is big, you have invested a LOTTTTTTT of $$$ in this "next step" so it's NATURAL to want some kind of "insurance" that it'll pan out. Heck you can insure your life, your house, your car, your pet, your boat, even your magnificent tushie, but unfortunately there's no "guaranteed return" of happiness and satisfaction at the end of your degree. But hey you strike me as the type who likes to work "without a net" so I'm reasonably sure this feeling will pass. This is one of those situations where the "Worst Case Scenario", if it happens, isn't all that bad!!!! Seriously you could LOOOOOOVE art therapy as a career.... but then you get placed in a lousy school, or have a lousy boss, whatever. Circumstances will change, but I think your inherent love of the career will prove itself regardless. And that Master's comes with you no matter WHERE the job takes you, and that's a great thing. You are growing, and sometimes that's painful, scary... just breathe, all will be well. Your future's so bright I gotta wear shades

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Posted by colette
Your future's so bright I gotta wear shades

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wow... you impress me... being a mommy, working, going to school, and you still have time to entertain strangers like me on this site!


Yay for you!

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I really just went through the motions for undergrad work because I really had no idea what field I would work in.

With grad school I was much more into it because it was so relevant to my day to day activities at work.

It was a lot to manage time wise yet the work itself seemed easier, hopefully that makes sense

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Just remember why you decided to pursue your degree in the first place, you must have loved it back then. Its so easy to get bogged down by the little things like classes and homework and then you forget why you started this path. I am in grad school right now too and I am having the same doubts, but in the end things will all work out and you will look back and realize how worth it it all was! And the fact that you are able to do all of this while balancing being a mom and working, well thats just plain amazing!

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Try and picture yourself with degree in hand and a world of opportunity ahead of you...and as my husband reminds me all the time when i start freaking out...take it one day at a time...you are creative and talented and the career choice you are taking will help others...how wonderful is that???

As someone who recently took their life in a totally new direction i know what you are going thru, especially the self doubt when everyone else is telling you you will kick a$$..and i am 36...wish i had done this when i was 25...but i try and remember that everything happens for a reason...hang in there..you have come so far already!!! Don't give up..especially with a 4.0 (you nerd...j/k!!)

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There were definitely points during grad school where I thought to myself, 'why the heck am I doing this? why am I torturing myself?' For nearly a year after I finished school, I doubted the path I had taken, and then I fell into the most amazing job and office and even met my now-DH there. I still have doubts about where I'm going, but one thing is for sure-- I wouldn't be where I am now without the trials through which I passed before.

It's hard to see what the future holds when you care so much about what you are doing. It's often in the pursuit of that which we love most, that we doubt ourselves and lose sight of why we love what we do. Just take it a day at a time, and you will get through to the end and things will become clear.

Keep it up, C. You're doing great and will continue to so!

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A graduate degree is a HUGE undertaking and it's completely normal to question whether it's worth it while you are in the middle of it (especially when you have work, a child, and a husband in your life as well).

I know we are in two completely different careers, but there were times in law school where I honestly thought to myself "everyone else here seems to know way more than me, and I seem to know nothing..." Yet, I graduated at the top of my class. When the dust settled, I realized that I did get it. You're getting it. You're absorbing it. You're being too self-critical. You won't realize any of that until the dust settles for you. You seem to be a creative, hands-on type, and you probably won't realize how much you actually are learning until you're in your new career and applying the skills practically. There will still be a big learning curve when you start working in the industry, of course, but you will realize that you really DID learn a lot.

My DH is in his second to last semester of his MBA now, and I am sure that there were times he never, ever thought he'd finish this freakin' degree. The middle part is the hardest part -- You can't remember why you started this and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet... but it's there, and it's worth it.

Very stupid aside about country music that you will mock me for: There's a country song that goes, "When you're going through hell, keep on moving, don't slow down. If you're scared, don't show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there." Essentially - when life sucks, keep going. When school sucks, keep working. When work sucks, keep working. One day soon you will wake up and realize that the hard part is over.

As for your age - don't even consider letting that be an excuse. You're going to get old no matter what. So you can either be an old art therapist or an old person who never pursued her dream. Your choice. Just know that no one ever said pursuing your dream is easy.

You CAN do this. More importantly, I KNOW you will do this.

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I honestly can't imagine you being more perfect for the occupation you are preparing yourself for.

I understand all about what you are saying...being younger feels like it would be easier b/c we had less to worry about back then...less to worry for or want for.

personally, when thinking about going back to school, I felt immense GUILT that I was not only putting off other futures goals for myself, but for my husband as well.

so I waited. and now I have a house and baby. and you know what...I fear it will be MORE difficult with these ADDITIONAL pressures.

you are doing the RIGHT thing at the RIGHT time...only a few more months to go.

you are going to rock this like no other. and all of the people you will help...you will find fulfillment beyond your wildest dreams...and when you get that house and give A a lil playmate...how awesome it will all be!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by annoyedTTCer

I spent two weeks at the Open so that helps

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Posted by annoyedTTCer

Posted by HeathKernandez

Posted by annoyedTTCer

I really just went through the motions for undergrad work because I really had no idea what field I would work in.

With grad school I was much more into it because it was so relevant to my day to day activities at work.

It was a lot to manage time wise yet the work itself seemed easier, hopefully that makes sense

So you worked in the field you were pursuing your masters in?

Yes, MBA is in Marketing and Finance

I have no regrets over picking biz school over law school.

I currently work in biz dev for a large media firm and have to say that I really really like my job. Of course part of my job involves taking clients to Mets/Yank games and I spent two weeks at the Open so that helps

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oh my goodness all of you are so wonderful... I wish I could reply to each of you individually but I only have about 10 minutes before I have to be in a meeting.. (and THEN class until 8:30 )

but thank you... I know I'm probably like a broken record, constantly need to hear that OTHER people are going through it and came out ok.. If you've noticed that is a trend for many of my 'vent' threads...

thank you thank you thank you for sharing with me your experiences, for your advice and most importantly your SUPPORT that I will get through it.

[clicks heels 3 times]

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i give you props b/c i never had the desire to go back to school after college. I dont even know what i would go back for at this point. I got a degree in journalism, and i hate the media now..LOL
i work in book publishing.

its hard work and i know there are times you're like "*** was i thinking??" but it will all be for good in the end.