Semester In Review

mccoyred · #1 05-16-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

I don't think you are a whiny dropout. I think that sometimes you have to enter and go through a situation to determine whether or not it's for you. Once you determined that that particular program wasn't for you, you had to move on. You have to make the right decisions for your life.

I definitely agree! Soror Lyoness, you have to do what is right for you and don't feel bad because of it!

I began my THIRD graduate program this semester. My first program, I realized after 5 classes, was too narrowly focused. My second one, I settled for a Masters Certificate (again 5 classes) because I knew that I would be relocating halfway through the master's program and that the credits would not transfer.

So I truly believe that I have now found the program for me because it offers the right mix of financial incentives, coursework and business/career opportunities.

Little32 · #2 05-16-2007, 01:52 PM

I am on the other side of the fence teaching at a university, so my life is still organized in semesters.

This semester was disappointing in a lot of ways (the details are too numerous and convoluted to go into here), and I have really begun to question my commitment to staying in the academy (That is a heck of a question after how hard I worked to get here).

On the other hand, I have had some ephiphanies about my research, which should help me to make strides in terms of my own scholarship this summer.

Right now, I am decidedly ambivalent about the profession. We will see what the summer and regrouping brings.

Liv2Luv · #3 07-12-2007, 11:22 AM

My second semester of college went very well. I took 16 credits in case I decide to drop/withdraw a class (which I didn't). I took a biology course and an Intro to African American Studies course that really had me working and studying throughout the semester but through hardwork and prayer, I came out of biology with a B and AFAM with an A. My other classes I considered to be easy and just breezed through them with ease, obtaining a 3.6 GPA, admission into J-school, and admission on the Dean's Honor Roll.

I also branched out of my comfort zone by participating in more social and community activities and meeting new people. So all in all, I think I did great both academically and socially.

Infamous12 · #4 07-12-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liv2Luv

My second semester of college went very well. I took 16 credits in case I decide to drop/withdraw a class (which I didn't). I took a biology course and an Intro to African American Studies course that really had me working and studying throughout the semester but through hardwork and prayer, I came out of biology with a B and AFAM with an A. My other classes I considered to be easy and just breezed through them with ease, obtaining a 3.6 GPA, admission into J-school, and admission on the Dean's Honor Roll.

I also branched out of my comfort zone by participating in more social and community activities and meeting new people. So all in all, I think I did great both academically and socially.

Would J-School happen to be Journalism??

Liv2Luv · #5 07-12-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infamous12

Would J-School happen to be Journalism??

yes ma'am, sorry if it wasn't clear

Infamous12 · #6 07-12-2007, 12:05 PM

Thought so! I got my BA in Public Affairs Journalism!

Shout out to the Journalism and Comm folks!

Now back to the regularly scheduled programming "Semester In Review".

mccoyred · #7 07-15-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccoyred

I definitely agree! Soror Lyoness, you have to do what is right for you and don't feel bad because of it!

I began my THIRD graduate program this semester. My first program, I realized after 5 classes, was too narrowly focused. My second one, I settled for a Masters Certificate (again 5 classes) because I knew that I would be relocating halfway through the master's program and that the credits would not transfer.

So I truly believe that I have now found the program for me because it offers the right mix of financial incentives, coursework and business/career opportunities.

I think there is something magical about my thought process after 5 classes but after much reflection, I have decide to change from a dual degree ( MBA / MS information Systems and Technology Management) to a straight MBA program. I can be done by Spring 08 and still have the credentials to pursue my dreams. More to come...

Wonderful1908 · #8 07-15-2007, 02:39 PM

Well my Spring Semester was cake as other threads have indicated its not the most challenging in the world

This summer I have 12 hours and was working up until two weeks ago, and my husband is always gone away for work and the kids are here with me 24/7! It isn't really hard but my time is stretched a little thin. Plus stats isn't my cup of tea

I have taking an "aggressive" course load however its worth it to graduate this fall with my M Ed.

Started in Fall 2006 graduating in Fall 2007

DELTABRAT · #9 07-18-2007, 01:40 AM

Entering the 6th year of my doctoral program...tired.

I applaud you Soror for doing what you felt in your heart was right. I know the anxiety attacks all too well...the anxiety is pretty much constant the attacks happen as I walk into the hospital where I work/attend classes. Spend most of the day avoiding profs. lest they ask "how's the research?" STFU and leave me alone!!!!!

Interestingly your story is all too familiar for the many Black female doctoral students I know. The intersection of race and gender makes it so that our experiences are unparalled by that of any Black MALE students or white female students (we won't even discuss white male experiences in academia). We take care of our families before ourselves and suffer for it a lot of times, in the end.

I tell students (Black and Latina) who want to enter a doctoral program that life happens (my mom is getting older, sick, dad's sick, lost a close close friend who dies out of nowhere, also at the age of 36) and when it does, you have to determine (with God) whether staying the course is right AT THAT TIME...if it's right period, you can always go back and if not, it wasn't meant to be...and that's OKAY!!! So, I applaud you. LOUDLY!!!

That said I am on the quarter system. 10 weeks, you're in, you're out. Good if you have a crappy prof. Other than that everyone knows it sucks.

FiestyGourmet · #10 07-18-2007, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DELTABRAT

Entering the 6th year of my doctoral program...tired.

I applaud you Soror for doing what you felt in your heart was right. I know the anxiety attacks all too well...the anxiety is pretty much constant the attacks happen as I walk into the hospital where I work/attend classes. Spend most of the day avoiding profs. lest they ask "how's the research?" STFU and leave me alone!!!!!

Interestingly your story is all too familiar for the many Black female doctoral students I know. The intersection of race and gender makes it so that our experiences are unparalled by that of any Black MALE students or white female students (we won't even discuss white male experiences in academia). We take care of our families before ourselves and suffer for it a lot of times, in the end.

I tell students (Black and Latina) who want to enter a doctoral program that life happens (my mom is getting older, sick, dad's sick, lost a close close friend who dies out of nowhere, also at the age of 36) and when it does, you have to determine (with God) whether staying the course is right AT THAT TIME...if it's right period, you can always go back and if not, it wasn't meant to be...and that's OKAY!!! So, I applaud you. LOUDLY!!!

That said I am on the quarter system. 10 weeks, you're in, you're out. Good if you have a crappy prof. Other than that everyone knows it sucks.

I haven't done a search on this site so if there's a thread on this already can someone point me to it? If not, would you be willing to start a thread on doctorate helpful hints for those of us who will be pounding that trail? I am still in my Masters program but I am already anxious about the whole PhD journey. Lawd...my stomach is in knots just writing this.

Little32 · #11 07-18-2007, 05:57 PM

There are a couple of graduate school threads, one in this forum and I think one on AKA Avenue (I believe). I would search it for you, but I am too lazy right now.

DELTABRAT · #12 07-20-2007, 05:00 PM

I am not sure (Feisty) if the interest was doctoral programs specifically or just graduate school...I think it was the former, right?

I am so, so sorry if I sound condescending to those awesome masters students out there pounding away at their degrees (I was once one), but the doctoral experience is like no other. Medical school, law school, or masters in pretty much anything...are different.

The definitive nature of those programs (not that they aren's ball busters) makes them different. For the most part, if you start school Fall 07, you are class of 2011, unless you take ayear off, leave of absence, decide to do a dual degree, etc. A PhD is essentially two programs. There's the coursework and then there's the dissertation. If you search you will see that there are throngs of ABD (all but dissertation) people out there. Folks have been in school POUNDING for 8 years, straight...

People just don't finish...writing a 150-300 page document is very daunting to pretty much everyone. Having to verbally defend it is another thing.

I am saying this because I usually find that threads for "graduate students" tend to not address the "helpful hints" for doctoral students as FeistyGourmet said.

Just my opinion...you can still do the search as was suggested...it was a good suggestion, they may have what you seek.