I have been in school, pretty much without a break, for the last 6 years or so. I've earned an AAS, a BA, a MS, and I was eagerly looking around for my next stop. I've toyed with everything from law school to a few PhD options to a MTh, all of which are still very interesting. However, I decided to take at least a 90-day break prior to making anymore decisions. The first 60 days were awful. I really didn't know what to do with all of this time! It was actually very unsettling. I was counting down the 90 days so I could pull the trigger on another academic goal when something strange happened. I started to feel comfortable being still and dared to think about my life in terms beyond academia. Now, almost 120 days removed from graduation, I have no immediate plans to return to school, though I'm certain I will make a return at some point. I've quit smoking, lost 13 pounds, returned to Tae Kwon Do (this time with my 12 year old son), am doing some adjunct work at UDC-CC, starting to look deeper into topics of interest for future writing projects and on some days, doing nothing at all. I love it!!! :smile:
Pugbelly, I know how you feel. I had plans to go straight for my Ph.D. after earning my M.A. I took a little bit of time off because I wanted to choose my school wisely. It's been two years now. It's amazing how quickly that feeling of "I don't know what to do with myself" turns into "I cannot believe I have spent so much time writing papers and missing out on what goes on in the REAL world!" I remember when I was writing my thesis. I was SO very sick of school. I began to envy people who had time for yoga or summer barbeques or who were able to go on vacations without their laptops. I really began to resent school. When I finished my B.A., I didn't feel like I'd had quite had enough of school but by the time I reached the end of my M.A., I never wanted to read another journal article for as long as I lived. Congratulations on enjoying life outside of school. It's a liberating experience!
After I finished my PhD I had plans to get another masters but I quickly got into the "I ain't doin nothin" mindset. Actually I took a few classes here and there and got an MBA but that was not "planned". Enjoy the break - enjoy life. I have not taken any classes in about 2 years and it feels GREAT!
I understand where you're coming from.... I am in the dissertation phase for my Masters and am debating an MBA - but not before taking 6 months off to recharge... by then I MIGHT change my mind but I do like being busy....
Phew! I'm already tired and I'm only in week 2 of my MPH program at NU. Each graduate course is only 4 weeks in length. Needless to say, I need to work on my time management.
Absolutely! Incidentally, I am not suggesting that school is bad or that people should enjoy life instead of classes. I am only suggesting that there is a very necessary balance that needs to be present, and sometimes, when we are deeply focused and driven, we lose sight of that balance. I know a few "health nuts" that have lost that balance. They have become so consumed with diet and exercise (in the same way I was consumed with school) that they miss out on some very fun, valuable experiences, like having a slice of pizza and an ice cream sundae with their kids, or sharing a tub of buttered popcorn at the movies with their spouse. Drive and commitment are VERY good things, but everything, even good things, have to have a degree of balance. "
It sure is! Thank you! I'm sure I will return at some point because I genuinely enjoy it, but I will never again allow it to consume my world!
I believe this makes you the only person I know who earned an MBA inadvertently. :wink: Oh, like that's encouraging to the rest of us! :nono:
I just want to say...enjoy your life. Once you start your Doctorate studies, you wish you have not started it yet. I agree with Dr. Randell, studies, professional, and family life are hard to hack as the same time. I can't wait until I drop out or graduate for a Ph.D degree.
They've started it, I know because I'm in it. It just was deployed so recently that it hasn't made it to the web site yet. They may not be in a huge hurry since the two programs are almost the same, the PhD requires two additional courses and its dissertation is supposed to be heavier on theory than the EdD's is. Pug, if you're interested, just make the same inquiry that you would for the EdD and just explain it's the PhD in Leadership that actually interests you. Tell them I sent you. :wink:
Steve, Given the similarities of the two programs, I'm surprised that the U of C PhD is in "Leadership" vs. "Educational Leadership."
Stay off the boards lol. Cuz....if you hang around the barber shop long enough, you're going to get a hair cut. Have a wonderful summer!
I didn't ask, so I don't know, but perhaps it's because the 18 credit specialization can be in many fields, perhaps it relates to how the dissertation can be focused as much on that field as it is on education? Either way, I admit it suits me. :smile:
Good information, thank you. I'm not interested at this time, but I could be in the future. I've been looking at the PhD in Leadership from both Johnson University and Tennessee Temple for a couple years. We'll see.
