Grad School Advice Request

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by fritzy202, Apr 29, 2010.

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  1. fritzy202

    fritzy202 New Member

    Ok, so I was accepted into St. Joseph's College of Maine for their Master's in Healthcare Administration. At 47, I'm worried about my abilities to finish this program. I really don't know what to expect from grad school. Can anyone give me some hints, suggestions or strategies for grad school success? The members here have helped propel me into this drive to get my masters so I thought you would have some helpful advice. This is a totally online program with 15 week courses that you can complete earlier if you want. They do limit you to no more than 2 courses per term. I'm turning to the pros here to help me get off on the right grad school foot! Thanks in advance for your help!
     
  2. armywife

    armywife New Member

    What do you mean at 47 you are worried about your abilities to finish? You're not that old!! If you're old then I better start crying b/c I'm 38 and right behind you. I think you will actually do better and have a more enjoyable time of it now than you would have when you were younger. I enjoyed school so much more in my 30's than I did in my 20's. I think life experience helped me out. I know you will do great.!!!
     
  3. rcreighton

    rcreighton New Member

    Fritz202, 47 years old is not old. A quick story. I left college in 1981 thinking I was going to rule the world and did not need a diploma when I was offered a decent sales position without one. Fast forward to 2008 when the field that I had been in since 1981 continued to shrink in size and cut back in employees and wage rates. In a two year span with three different companies, I was part of a reduction in workforce, a company closing, and a layoff due to a company bankruptcy/downsizing. At 50 years old, I was unemployed, in the middle of a recession and without a college diploma. I did a lot of research and decided to return to college in May of 2008. After transferring 65 credit hours from 27 years ago, I finished my bachelor's degree in September of 2009 and immediately continued into an MBA program. As of next week, I will have seven 6 week classes left before I graduate in early 2011. Long story short, my recommendation is stay ahead of the class requirements for reading assignments, expect and embrace the various papers that you will probably be required to write by making the time to do proper research, and do not let age be a negative factor for any excuses. Your life experiences and past business experiences should be very valuable in your class discussions and required submitted work. If you believe you can accelerate your classes, do so. You will be done before you know it and have a master's degree under your belt at an early age in life. Enjoy it and make the best use of it.

    Rich
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member


    I only took one course per semester for my grad degrees (mainly because I was working 60+ hours per week).
    My advice would be to start with what you expect to be the two easiest courses for you, thereafter take one 'easy' course and one 'difficult' course if you can each semester.
     
  5. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    YOU CAN DO THIS! I earned my master's online and now I'm doing my doctorate online and I'm older than you! You can do it too. But be prepared to give up a good deal of your free time to reading and writing papers. You might find, like me, that you really enjoy this learning experience. I love it! I find that I would rather study than watch TV or engage in other time wasters that I used to spend so much time at. Although I still waste a lot of time reading and posting on this board! :) But I have learned a lot on this board too!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 30, 2010
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Dudes and dudettes, 47 is older than dirt! :eek:
     
  7. fritzy202

    fritzy202 New Member

    Trust me Ted, some days I feel older than dirt! I'm not sure what to expect from grad school and with teaching full time, a pre-teen and teen at home, I worry about the work load and my stamina to keep up the pace for another two years. I think I have decided to give it a try and I'm actually excited about this new adventure. If it really turns out not to be for me, then I will at least stick it out for 18 credits so it will count towards my teaching, but I'm sure if I make it that long, I can make it to the end. 6 grad credits are obtained during the summer by attending a week long health symposium, so that should be fairly easy and fun, not to mention an excuse to get away from the kids! Thanks for all the encouragement, except for Ted! LOL! Please keep posting any suggestions on what to expect or how to handle the work load.

    Thanks!
     
  8. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Advice - work hard and work ahead of the schools schedule. Start with one class to get a feel for it. Usually the first semester is tough because you spend a good bit of time learning their "system". After the first class you can judge what type of work load oyu can handle. Unless there is a burning reason to get it done, take your time and enjoy the journey.
     
  9. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Spoken by a true expert in taking your time and doing it right. :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 1, 2010
  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Taken my time...yes. Doing it right...yet to be seen :eek:
     
  11. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Wow, I didn't realize that dirt has been around THAT long...
     

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