Grad school while working full-time? Too much?

Question

If you did grad school while working full time, did you feel it was okay or too much? Assume you took two night classes each semester. This is what I anticipate doing in the spring. Thanks in advance. And please feel free to qualify your answer with how you juggled it, how you felt, what you did around test-time or paper/essay time, things you would have done differently, etc.

Answer 1

I am in grad school right now and I do work full-time and it isn't easy.  I get off work and go to class, and don't have any time for myself, but I know that its worth it.   It's better than taking out a whole bunch of student loans that I can't pay back, or taking so much out that it'll take forever to pay back.  And I also take summer classes. So it just depends on how much you want to succeed and the time and effort that you are willing to put into it.  If you take it one day at a time and try not to stress about the next month or so it wont be so bad.  

Answer 2

I haven't done it, but I've seen it done. It is a lot of work, so you'll have to be focused and very motivated. Do you have a part-time option?  

Answer 3

My niece is a teacher and going to grad school. She also has extra responsibilities after school with the students. Not to mention grading papers and preparing lessons.

I think most grad students are working too

Answer 4

I Attended Grad School while working full time as a manager in a fortune 100 company. Half way through the program, I got a promotion and had to move cross country for the promotion.  So in addition to working full time, I had to get on a plane and fly to the other coast every weekend for Friday, Saturday all day classes.

Now with that in mind.   First of all I had the conversation with my boss to ensure he understood my work load and my plan of action to ensure results wouldn't drop while my attention and time was being pulled for school. Fortunately, I managed a sales team then and I had a great relationship with my 25 employees so I groomed one of the employees to act as my #2 person.   This way when I left for class, I had someone to fulfill my job responsibilities.

I also met with my peers to let them know my goals and I got their buy in before I even started grad school.   Because it meant I could not work any night shifts or weekend shifts.  I needed my peer buy in to make it work.  Together we came up with a plan to ensure responsibilities were covered.

Now, it also depends on what school you attend.  There are research universities and teaching universities..both very different in approach and student focus.  I attended a teaching university (top 5 ranked in the nation on Fully Employed MBA program) so the work was mostly ALL group projects.   Make sure you get into a GOOD GROUP! In my first year, 7 of us agreed to take classes together and hold each other accountable towards finishing the program.  ALL 7 of us graduated (not at the same time) but we all finished the program! There were times when some of us couldn't meet or couldn't do our part of the project due to work or family emergencies... because of our pact and dedication to each other, we all picked up the slack for each other when necessary.We had study groups at each other's homes so we all had a chance to meet each other's familiies...

Next have a conversation with your significant other, because you will NOT HAVE ANYTIME for your family while you are in Grad School. Between reading, writing, meetings and studying you will have ZERO time to go on dates, play with your kids..etc.  Your classmates will become your ONLY social life for 2 years.

How did I manage it?  I had an extremely understanding Fiancee', I built great relationships with my boss, my co workers and my classmates.. without them I NEVER would have finished the program with a 3.8 GPA.

So here's my short list:

1. Evaluate your strenghs/personal ability to handle stress. Organized, works well under pressure, strong at building relationships & persuasion

2.  Select a grad school that matches your learning style

3.  Talk to your family to make sure they support you going thru this.  And how you will have very little time to socialize until you are done.

4.  Talk to your Boss, Co workers, Employees... set a game plan to ensure your work gets done

5.  Secure a good "Study Team" at school- help hold each other accountable to finishing the program.. and agree to support each other in emergency situations

6.  Whenever possible use work problems for school projects (with approval from your boss).. this way you are killing two birds with one stone!

Good luck!