I’m not admitting defeat. Just ackowledging my limits. Even though I know this I still feel that I’ll disappoint someone. Like my mother.
I’m not going to get my thesis finished this semester. It’s just not going to happen. My advisory committee were all quite understanding, assuring me that it is quite common to extend work on the thesis over more than one semester. I was told, “Remember, it’s only history” and to enjoy my family.
I just don’t have enough hours in the day. Yes, my new job is partly to blame, but it’s worth it. It’s worth it to be working in my chosen field again. It’s worth it to be working towards a professional goal and earning money while I do it–even if it is a really small amount of money.
So, I’ll enroll in two more hours of thesis credit–the requirement for any semester you are doing research, using university resources and hoping to graduate. Unfortunately that means $500 more in tuition—this time straight out of my pocket. No more financial aid for me—for a variety of reasons.
Spring 2009 is my new goal to graduate. I always knew this was a possibility. Now I just have to convince my mother that it’s okay and this doesn’t mean I’m going to repeat my past mistake. I will finish my masters degree this time. I’m just not superwoman. I simply cannot do it all: work, try to get healthy, take care of home and family, handle family crises and challenges, and research and write my thesis.
Something has to give and my family can’t be it.
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I know that can be frustrating. I am in full time school myself working on my Bachelors in Psychology. OF course we all know that I need a PHD to be a clinical psychologist. UGH! Just remember to take time for yourself and most importantly, Breath! It will happen when you are ready for it. There is nothing wrong with extending it. You should be proud of yourself for getting this far. Besides, you are just about done. Celebrate!
And please don’t forget the most important thing: feeding the cats.
good for you.
i did the exact same thing during my final semester of grad school. and i didn’t even have the girly-girls yet…
but…
there was a life to be lived.
and that was more important than money and the degree…
visiting from allmediocre….
LOVE your header…maybe we can make some money by just renting children to the CIA…my girls are really good at tag-teaming…all.night.long.
and they give me 2-3 days of restful sleep before inundating me with a full night of wake-ups. it’s much more difficult that way!
sweet dreams!
jens last blog post..wouldn’t chuck-e-cheese be easier?
If graduate school was easy, everyone would do it. It isn’t. If parenting were easy we’d all be on Oprah as superstars. It isn’t.
It’s hard to quit answering to your parents’ stated (or assumed) expectations and criticisms, or to refrain from labeling your fears as theirs, sometimes. It’s the human thing to do. One day all too soon you’ll wonder why you were so wound up about an 8-month extension in completion of an advanced degree, like the day you become a curator, or hold your first grandchild.
Corgimoms last blog post..Growing up together
Oh, hun, I have SO been there. I finally finished my master’s while teaching full time and raising three little girls. I didn’t do all of the extra things those in my cohort did since I was just struggling to survive graduate school. You’re doing it all and then some. Cut yourself some slack and enjoy some time to regroup. It’ll be worth it.
Good luck and GREAT JOB!!
Devin
devins last blog post..Barney’s my BFF
I think you did the right thing. Give yourself some breathing room. It will be worth the extra $500.
threeundertwos last blog post..Humans Lie
It’s totally worth another $500. You must make your health and your family your top priorities. The thesis may take a little extra time, so what. I quit grad school and went back. I got the MS, just not when I originally planned to. The break was what I needed and you know what you need.