My degree seems SOOO far away...

[mjr]

As a few of you know, I started back to school last year. I'm basically taking two classes per semester. I also plan on taking summer courses as well (or as many of them as I can).

I'm taking the classes online.

The degree seems SO far away! I just started in the spring semester last year, and had to take TWO prerequisite math classes for my degree (Comp Sci).

Though I will say that my academic adviser told me that my Precalculus course counts as my "academic elective".

But I figured it out...at 2 courses per semester, and basically 40 classes (not counting prerequisite courses) it's going to take me over six years to get my degree.

I had originally considered 4 classes per semester, but then I thought better of that (since I have a family and work a full-time job), and went with two. Although at some point I may consider going to three. Assuming I pass all the classes with an acceptable grade level, that would knock the time down by about two years, if I took classes year-round.

This summer, I'm thinking of taking a foreign language (but I can't decide between Spanish or German) and Economics (which seemed the most desirable to me of the "social science" electives).

I would like to pursue a Masters degree after that, either in Computer Science or Software Engineering. Which would probably be another 2 years, then maybe get a second undergrad in math.

But right now, 6+ years seems SO far away! I really want this degree, but sometimes I have a short attention span when it comes to long-term stuff.

And that will almost put me in my early to mid 40's when I finally get the degree.

[Aethian]

You can do it!


It's a long road but at least you have a map and a plan.

[bhskittykatt]

You can totally do it!

You have a good plan, it sounds like. All things considered, 6 years isn't too bad. I've known people who went to universities full-time that took longer to get their undergrads. So hang in there, and keep your eye on the prize!

The part-time student thing is definitely preferred when you're working, imho. It seems like it takes longer on paper, but if you take on too much then your grades may suffer and that could hurt your efforts in the long run. 2 classes a quarter with a job and family is completely sane and doable. You sound like you're on the right track!

[csquared]

One day at a time.

Don't think about six years from now. Focus on the homework due tomorrow.

[KatherineB]

Yup, it seems a long time. It really isn't. I am handing in my doctoral thesis on Monday after six years and two months.

There will be times when it seems as if the end will never come, and other times when you wish things would stop for a bit so you can catch up. Just take things day by day, week by week and month by month. You'll get there and it will all be worth it in the end.

[mjr]

Yup, it seems a long time. It really isn't. I am handing in my doctoral thesis on Monday after six years and two months.

Well, congratulations are definitely in order!

Do they have "pocket sized" or "wallet sized" versions of the Doctorate? That way, next time some customer calls you stupid, you can whip it out and say something like, "Yeah? That's not what this says!!"

Unless, of course, you have a Ph.D. in French Literature...

Penny: Has Leonard ever dated any regular girls?
Sheldon: Well, I assume that you're not talking about digestive regularity, because I've come to learn that such inquiries are inappropriate.
Penny: No, I mean has he ever dated someone who wasn't a brainiac?
Sheldon: Oh, well there was this one girl who had a PhD in French Literature.
Penny: How is that not a brainiac?
Sheldon: Well, for one thing, she was French. For another, it was literature.

[Ophbalance]

Indeed, congratulations. I didn't do well the first time through college (darn you internet!!), and had to foot the second run through myself. I was newly married when I started and working a full time job. The first two years were spent getting an associates, and weren't pleasant. However, it allowed me to get out of the fiberglass filter company and into a tech job. The second two years were even less pleasant as it involved the birth of my first child and my wife's first back surgery.

The time spent was worth it. Without the degree I currently have, I could never have made the leap into the job I took in 2006. Without the degree, I'd be looking at 10 years building up "experience" to end up what where I am now. I'm still paying for it, but in the end it was worth it .

[jedimaster91]

This summer, I'm thinking of taking a foreign language (but I can't decide between Spanish or German).

Depending on where you are, Spanish might be more useful to you. However, as someone who's taken both, I liked German better.

[taxguykarl]

All things considered, 6 years isn't too bad. I've known people who went to universities full-time that took longer to get their undergrads.

I knew some people in that boat as well. You have a plan: trust in the process. Csquared is right: focus on the homework. I presume you amassed all the credit you can/need via CLEP and DSST right? Look into those, it may cut down on the time.

[jnd4rusty]

I have been at it since 2005, it seems like it is taking forever but before you know it the time to graduate will be at your doorstep! I have 3 more semesters after this one ends! I also have had to take only two classes a semester because of working full time (now I am working two jobs to help pay for school!) and sometimes I felt that I would never get to the end but now it is almost there and I am excited! I plan to continue my education after I recieve my degree but at least I can put one degree behind me. Do not look at the big picture because that will make you feel like it is endless, just concentrate on one semester at a time and before you know it the time will come for graduation!

[KatherineB]

Well, congratulations are definitely in order!

Do they have "pocket sized" or "wallet sized" versions of the Doctorate? That way, next time some customer calls you stupid, you can whip it out and say something like, "Yeah? That's not what this says!!"

Unless, of course, you have a Ph.D. in French Literature...

Penny: Has Leonard ever dated any regular girls?
Sheldon: Well, I assume that you're not talking about digestive regularity, because I've come to learn that such inquiries are inappropriate.
Penny: No, I mean has he ever dated someone who wasn't a brainiac?
Sheldon: Oh, well there was this one girl who had a PhD in French Literature.
Penny: How is that not a brainiac?
Sheldon: Well, for one thing, she was French. For another, it was literature.

Thank you so much! And it's actually English literature - is that just as bad?

[mjr]

Thank you so much! And it's actually English literature - is that just as bad?

Nah...getting a Ph.D. is quite the accomplishment.

If I were about 15 years younger, I might consider getting one. I originally wanted to get a degree in physics, then it was engineering, now it's CompSci. And for what I'll be doing, I don't see the need for a doctorate (I guess I'm "Howard" )

[scary cary]

Listen to the peeps telling you to take it a day at a time. Take summer school! It'll help time go by super quick. It took me 6 years to finish my bachelors and I don't regret it!

Good luck to you :-)

[mjr]

Listen to the peeps telling you to take it a day at a time. Take summer school! It'll help time go by super quick. It took me 6 years to finish my bachelors and I don't regret it!

Good luck to you :-)

I'm already planning on taking Summer courses as well. I've factored that in.