Advice Wanted:Grad School Veterans
Jan 28th, 2010 by Bethany
Want to hear about my husband’s ambitious schedule during his last semester in MBA school? Seriously, if he pulls this off he should be awarded some kind of superman trophy. Look at this list of responsibilities he’s working on between now and mid-May:
- Me, his lovely but not always low-maintenance wife
- Three kids under 5
- Elder’s Quorum secretary at church
- Gospel Doctrine (Sunday school) teacher at church
- Home teaching for church
- A full-time job, including having been recently elected president of his weekly networking group despite his protests of being overscheduled
- A part-time job with his graduation products business
- His once-a-week Latin tutoring job
- Researching and writing his master’s thesis
- MBA Capstone class, 3+page paper due every week, two 1 1/2 hour presentations, and a group business simulation, not to mention long readings and other assignments for every class
- Preparing for and testing out of an Accounting class (why is it that those entry level classes are always harder than the upper level ones?)
- Eat healthy, exercise, sleep once in a while, keep up with diabetes, etc.
- And all the incidental appointments and assignments, plus sharing a car with me.
Are you impressed? I am, and I have no idea how he’s going to pull it off. The only thing we can think of is him spending every evening he can in the library working on school stuff. I know we’re not the first family to manage family, work, and school. So, those of you who have gone through something similar, what are your tips and suggestions for coming through it successful and sane? If you were/are the thesis-writer, what did you do to help you stay on track? And did your spouse do anything to make it easier? If you were/are the spouse of a thesis-writer, what did you do to make things easier and maintain a happy outlook on life?
Just one more semester…
WOW! I am sure Colin will pull it off, just because his wife is aware of what he is doing, and is supportive!
My husband finished his bachelors while I was pregnant with our 6th, so he did the same kind of thing, with perhaps not quite so many responsibilities… But, one thing I did was take over as much as I could. In every area. I did the lawn mowing ( which I hate, but delegated to the kids when I could) and all other assorted duties. Knowing that nothing else will be getting done in the house and in regards to any extra things is key. It just is an insanely busy time for Colin, and frankly, for you too, and remembering that will help you out. Say no to everything else you can, reserve time just for you two- weekly dates, or at least an hour or so a week by yourselves- and block off some family time in there too if you can.
Time passes quickly, and this too shall pass. One semester isn’t so bad, at least it isn’t years! Then, take a vacation or give your family a special treat when it is over!!!
And, yes, I am very impressed!
Wow! Colin is insanely busy. Poor thing. But the semester is about half way through now so the midterm hurdle is coming up. Good luck. Try to remember that you are both stressed out and both need more personal and together time so that you don’t ruin the few spare moments you have with things you wish you didn’t say two minutes after you are done saying it. =) That is my only real advise. You are both supper stars so you will make it through with no battle wounds.