Who's in graduate school while working?

[bemused]

ello, pexers!


i'm just wondering who are in graduate schools here and at the same time working? how do you manage your time between studies, work, and social life?

what's your graduate course by the way?

:)

[vinta18]

Social life? PEx na lang social life ko.

[Bostsip]

.Yup. m working and studying at the same time.
It's quite difficult since I am fully employed. My whole day is spent at school as a Teacher and at night I go to yet another school this time to be a student. It's really hell if your deadlines at work and at school all are in the same week. Sometimes I don't even get to study for finals and other tests. This is because I don't have the heart to study while I am doing my work since I feel like I am short changing my employer. Besides, my break times are so short that I can barely open my books/readings.

What do I do? Well, since I am fully employed I decided to cut down my MA units to only 3 units a sem. Seems like a waste of money and time yeah but in the long run when i started to do it I felt that I could breathe easier. I also "budgeted" my time and I discovered that I am just on time-- I won't have trouble with the max. residency rule in grad school.

Yes, I do have time for gimmicks but i had to cut them DRASTICALLY. You see, it's a matter of setting your priorities. Gimmicks are temporary fun while studying/working are the ones which will have much bearing in my future.

BTW, I am majoring in Educational Psychology in UP Dil

[vinta18]

1. Never take any of them too seriously. Magkakasakit ka sa pressure. Easy-easy lang, ganyan ang pinoy.

2. Don't waste time. Bring your work to school and vice versa. Meaning, habang naghihintay ka sa prof., tapusin ang trabaho. Habang walang ginagawa sa trabaho o nagpapalipas ng traffic, gumawa ng homework.

3. Never procrastinate. Kung magagawa mo ngayon, gawin mo na. Hindi mo alam kung kailan ka magkakaroon ng biglaang out of town trip for work or assignment sa school. This applies to gimmicks too. Kung may panahong manood ng sine, manood ka na. Kundi baka sa VCD mo na lang abutan yan.

4. Bring a notepad always. Jot down thoughts on work/school the moment you think of them. Thinking up ideas takes time and there's no better place to brainstorm than on a bus or plane. Having a palmpilot/laptop helps since you don't have to retype them. Nakabuo na ko ng ilang essay sa bus.

5. Prioritize. Kung finals na, take a one day leave from work. Kung may kailangang tapusin sa work, mag-absent muna. Kung maiiwasan ito, great, but believe me aabot ka sa desisyong ganito.

6. Try to keep Sundays free. You need rest so unless it's completely necessary, keep a day free from work. Reserve this for family and friends or for time alone. The relaxed mood of sundays helps recharge your batteries.

Yun lang po. I'm taking MS Marketing in DLSU while working for the government pero babalik ako sa private sector by 2004.

[bemused]

ey, guys super thanks! I feel na ganito nga siguro mangyayari sa kin this coming semester.

Last sem kasi, I took 6 units but I had to give up the other one since conflict sa sched ng bago kong work (government kase). So I had to stay with 3 units. ok naman yung 3 units lang maluwag na, kaso, compelled na ko na mag-six units na dahil delayed na ko ng isang sem. grabe, totoo nga *** makakapagsulat ka na ng essay sa bus. ginagawa ko rin un minsan, esp. yung magbasa.

yung pag-absent, naku yan nga yung iniiwasan ko kasi nagi-guilty ako pag sa studies yung inuuna ko.

Talagang halos inde na ko makalabas for g-mik. i rarely see my friends. kaya pag sunday sobrang gustong-gusto kong lumabas pero ala na ko energy, sa bahay na lang para pahinga talaga.

nway, gudlak sa 'ting graduate endeavors.:)

Bostsip: Ok yung grad stud mo ah, sa Coll. of Educ yan d b?you have a classm8 with an Aceron surname? ala lang.

Me, i'm taking International Studies sa UP Dil. din.

[Bostsip]

yup ed psych is is Coll. of Educ.
:)

Sorry wala ako maalalang Aceron na classmate. Baka iba ang major niya
:D

[uptowngirl]

Hi Louise! Are you suggesting that 3 units/sem is advisable? I'm planning to take my MS starting next sem eh. I'm still thinking on how many units to take.

[bemused]

Originally posted by Bostsip
yup ed psych is is Coll. of Educ.
:)

Sorry wala ako maalalang Aceron na classmate. Baka iba ang major niya
:D


ok, thanks!:)

[knight_rayearth]

:wave: hi im shepot.
im also taking my masters while working. i usually enroll 3-6 units per semester. im taking up MSIT.

[bemused]

Originally posted by knight_rayearth
:wave: hi im shepot.
im also taking my masters while working. i usually enroll 3-6 units per semester. im taking up MSIT.


MSIT? Master of Science in Information Technology? san yan?ala naman ata sa pinas yung for ICT, tipong merged yung communication arts and infotech

[knight_rayearth]

meron po. sa La Salle, UA&P ata, madami pa...

[tortvader]

hi bemused!

I work, I study and I have a social life.

I am associated with a financial advisory firm/investment house. I usually put in 5-8 hours of work everyday, depending on the workload. By 5 pm, I have to hurry to school. I am enrolled at the UP College of Law. I usually go out for gimmicks at least twice a week.

I've been doing this for the past three years (I'm an incoming senior.). I'm proud to say that I'm doing well in school ;) and my boss can't ask for anything more at work.

P.S. I'm still perfectly sane. :D

[uptowngirl]

Good for you tortvader! *okay*

Sana ako rin. :D

[bemused]

Originally posted by tortvader
hi bemused!

I work, I study and I have a social life.

I am associated with a financial advisory firm/investment house. I usually put in 5-8 hours of work everyday, depending on the workload. By 5 pm, I have to hurry to school. I am enrolled at the UP College of Law. I usually go out for gimmicks at least twice a week.

I've been doing this for the past three years (I'm an incoming senior.). I'm proud to say that I'm doing well in school ;) and my boss can't ask for anything more at work.

P.S. I'm still perfectly sane. :D

hello, torvader! :wave:

gawd, how do you do that?

sana ako rin. ur office must be just near peyups, otherwise u'r always late. i heard UP law has a program designed for working students daw.

gosh, at nakakagimik ka pa nyan? ano naman gimik yun? inuman?:p

[Bostsip]

the normal load for a working MA student is 6 units
I took 3 units for the past 2 sems kasi hectic work ko. PAASCU (accreditation board) year kasi last skulyear so I need to focus on work. I again took 3 units lang this sem kasi I am adjusting to my new work. I transferred schools kasi. Next sem baka 6 units na ako. I don't think I can take 9 units...HELL. The profs in UP Grad classes have no consideration at all..walang any consideration for those working full time.

[bemused]

Originally posted by Bostsip
the normal load for a working MA student is 6 units
I took 3 units for the past 2 sems kasi hectic work ko. PAASCU (accreditation board) year kasi last skulyear so I need to focus on work. I again took 3 units lang this sem kasi I am adjusting to my new work. I transferred schools kasi. Next sem baka 6 units na ako. I don't think I can take 9 units...HELL. The profs in UP Grad classes have no consideration at all..walang any consideration for those working full time.


haaay, yep, u can say that again, bostsip!

i've been hunting since monday, my prof in my friday class and i couldnt get a reply frm the dept. problema ko raw kung me trabaho ako at hindi ko mahagilap yung prof dahil hindi ako makapunta ng UP,

well, partly kasi it's my fault. i didn't come sa first day ng klass because i was still on my way from the north. i didnt realize na papasok na siya. well, he should be since it's graduate school.

tssk, ang kaso mo ang dami yata nyang assignment agad, according to my very unfriendly classmate who can't even offer a help, just told me to see him (my prof) instead of giving me the details. some luck!

[wasted_gurl]

hello ms. bemused!

me too! i am working in an office where i am underpaid and where all the people do all day is outdo each other with their tall tales and gargantuan egos. if i am not cheating my boss by being online and wasting company hours, i am either eating in the dirty pantry toasting bread and having chika with my boss' driver about which pulutan is best with gin, otherwise i would be discussing the latest political trends and/or existentialism and so and so philosophies. really, i would rather discuss which lipliner would go with my moist plum shade glittery lipstick and how i would be able to grow my hair to waist-length without having to go to the salon to trim my split ends. i spend my breaks (10-10:30, 12-1, 4-4:30) thinking how i would spend money i haven't earned yet. in between those breaks i am either having a panic, bipolarism or transient ischemic attack.

and yes, i am studying. i am taking up a number of degrees, including MBA (Master in Being Apathetic), BAA (Bachelor of Angsty Arts) and others. oh and yes, i have a PhD. i am a proud holder of Doctorate in Fellatio and Cunnilingus. well, i guess you wouldn't know about that would you?

anyway, i look forward to sharing with you my infinite knowledge of things perverse and nonsensical.

i hope you have a nice day!


wastedwickedwild

[bemused]

you girl! :D :D :D

goodluck to your MBA, BAA, and most especially PhD. I would love to know more about them sometime soon. :rotflmao:

baka maputol tong thread dahil sa yo! :lol:

[wasted_gurl]

ms. bemused,

why, thank yew vewy much.
thanks for the compliment.


wastedwickedwild



p.s. ur gift is proudly hanging on my bedroom wall. u should see my tattoo. they are exactly alike.
p.s. too, wag ka na pumasok! crepes na lang tayo mamya...

*******

abandon every hope,
ye who enter here
-Dante

[jebio]

hi bemused:)

me too. i'm a student also this term. am taking up MSCF (computatonal finance) sa dlsu. with my 6-units load nakakagimik pa rin naman ako. since tue & thu ang class ko i make it a point na free yung friday ko for my social life, mon & wed nasa gym ako, sat for my dayhike or overtime sa opis & sun i spent it with my family. i read my lessons mon & wed nights para kinabukasan fresh pa sa utak ko yung binasa ko. at kapag hindi ko natapos basahin di ako naglalunch at tumatambay ako sa library namin. minsan naman pag sinuswerte at wala yung officers ko dahil out of the country aba e di sa opisina na ako nagrereview. and since i have class na this sem, i stopped joining our chorale grp. :angel:

[bemused]

Originally posted by jebio
hi bemused:)

me too. i'm a student also this term. am taking up MSCF (computatonal finance) sa dlsu. with my 6-units load nakakagimik pa rin naman ako. since tue & thu ang class ko i make it a point na free yung friday ko for my social life, mon & wed nasa gym ako, sat for my dayhike or overtime sa opis & sun i spent it with my family. i read my lessons mon & wed nights para kinabukasan fresh pa sa utak ko yung binasa ko. at kapag hindi ko natapos basahin di ako naglalunch at tumatambay ako sa library namin. minsan naman pag sinuswerte at wala yung officers ko dahil out of the country aba e di sa opisina na ako nagrereview. and since i have class na this sem, i stopped joining our chorale grp. :angel:


yeah, it's all about time management and setting priorities right. got that. :)

i learned that you belong to a very good organization. hmmn:)

may opening ba jan? yihee...fishing ako!

[jaris]

Originally posted by tortvader
hi bemused!

I work, I study and I have a social life.

I am associated with a financial advisory firm/investment house. I usually put in 5-8 hours of work everyday, depending on the workload. By 5 pm, I have to hurry to school. I am enrolled at the UP College of Law. I usually go out for gimmicks at least twice a week.

I've been doing this for the past three years (I'm an incoming senior.). I'm proud to say that I'm doing well in school ;) and my boss can't ask for anything more at work.

P.S. I'm still perfectly sane. :D

Hey am done with my MBA and currently looking for a job. I availed of the early retirment of a local bank at the age of 30. I am interested to work in an investment bank. Is ur office hiring now. send me an email if u can at amamatak@yahoo.com

[jebio]

bemused: well how did you know i'm from a good org? :wondering:

answering your question- di ko alam kung anong position ang gusto mo. maybe you can just visit our website (http://www.adb.org) and from there siguro pm mo na lang ako :)

[bemused]

Originally posted by jebio
bemused: well how did you know i'm from a good org? :wondering:

answering your question- di ko alam kung anong position ang gusto mo. maybe you can just visit our website (http://www.adb.org) and from there siguro pm mo na lang ako :)

ikaw naman...:) isn't it?

i read your profile. :smile:

anyway, been to your website. i'll pm you later. thanks!:)

[bemused]

just thought that since there are quite a number of grad studes here, might as well, we can try to modify this thread where your angsts, highs and lows while haggling your scheds between work, studies, social life and lovelife na rin can be posted here. as long as it's mainly about grad school, i guess it's pretty ok to post them here.;)

[miss_d]

I'm in grad school, and I just started working about a month ago. Weird noh, usually it's work first, then grad school. Oh well:)

Time? Kinda hard to manage... I have to attend to some extra curricular activities and that takes up most of my morning, I go to work in the afternoon. And somewhere in between I squeeze in 6 units worth of classes:) My employer has been kind enough to allow me to have a flexible schedule, so that helps. But still, it leaves me with hardly enough time for anything else:( Nakakapagod - I'm up kasi by around 4:30am, then I work until around 5:30 to 6pm. Layo pa naman ng bahay ko, so 7+ pa ko nakakauwi. May Saturdays pa! Hay. But oh well, ok lang naman:)

I'm taking nga pala my MA in Communication at Ateneo:)

[el_aguila99]

I am currently fulltime with my work and got nine units this sem, 3 subjects that is, to finish all the course work required for an MS Environmental Science degree in UPD and hopefully be spending next sem devotedly for the thesis. Still manage to stay sane but I really struggle with time. I think it’s a matter of carefully planning an effective sched that would take everything into consideration even things that are not significantly crucial to the success of your grad study and office life as well. I just can’t possibly think of going into a grad program without socializing, do some crazy stuff, outdoor adventure, meet people, go and visit some exotic places even though your working fulltime. It really is not an easy thing to go into a grad school while working but it’s a matter of knowing your strength (taking it as your assets) and transforming weaknesses into unbelievably your strong foothold.

[rains_delight]

Whew! I finished my MBA at ateneo grad school. Here are some tips.

1. Don't leave your current job. Because you are already familiar with the duties and responsibilities assigned to you. Besides, most companies do not hire grad school students for they believe that your working time will be divided.

2. Befriend with your classmates. You cannot survive in a grad school if you are alone. There are so many ideas that your classmates can share during group discussions, since you have diferent educational background.

3. Avoid gimmicks first, going to a graduate school is expensive. You are not only saving for your tuition fee but also for your books, contingency for computer repair, snacks during group meetings, transportation or gasoline in going to school.

4. Try to choose the subjects you can only handle for that particular semester or trimester. You cannot handle two to three difficult and tedious subjects at the same time. Of course you have to consider the pre requisite subjects.

5. Choose your right professor. Remember you are the one who pays for your tuition fee, this time it is not your parents. Make your peso a worth in the grad school. There are some professors who do not fail students and give high grades but at the end you learn nothing.

6. Lastly, finish the course. This is a good investment.

[bemused]

thanks for the tips rains_delight !

i've never been more serious and this focused in my studies!

iba pala talaga pag ikaw na nagbabayad sa pag-aaral mo.


hello, fellow grad working studes! hope u'r ol doing great in your fields of endeavors.
:wave:

[uptowngirl]

Hi everybody! :wave:

I'm in my 3rd week of MS classes. I only enrolled in 6 units and I'm still adjusting.

Tama si rains_delight, we should befriend our classmates, especially if they're fulltime students. Nakikisuyo ako ng xerox and research eh. :lol:

[genx77]

hello peeps. i can just simply empathize with u. though, im a fulltime student, i have very close friends who are working fulltime. we are taking our master's degree in philippine studies in up - diliman. a lot of them are teachers. one in a public secondary school, another in ateneo, the rest are in embassies, government, civil society and the private sector.

a lot got "INC" grades and sometimes they have low morale in finishing their degrees. it is very sad.. and so more often than not, i do lend a lot of notes and photocopy some readings and i even allow them to use some of my research materials.

upon admission, we have batches in the program so it is like a family thing. it's like "we are in a one boat mentality." we really help each other out. of course exluding exams and the actual writing of our individual research paper.

according to many of my classmates, it is really intoxicating, considering that the entire class is treated as if everybody is enrolled fulltime. they also have to comply with the other requirements like written exams and individual papers per subject. so as said, since we are like family, tulong na lang ba sa aking mga kaklase. saka hindi sa amin nagdadamutan talaga ng materials at talaga namang pati grad school professors ay nagpapahiram din ng kanilang mga resources. competition? we compete with ourselves. truly, a rewarding experience.

now, abt to finish my program. ive already completed the coursework so please peeps out there hope u can pray for me that i pass the comprehensive examinations so that i may also prepare for my seminar paper for defense.

many thanks.. :)

[bemused]

good for you genx77 !

if i can only not work, i'd spend full-time in my studies. goodluck on your comprehensive exams. i heard Phil stud was also quite tough.:)

after grad, where do Phil studes work? Is the course similar to MIS? I have some classmates (just can't remember their names)who are taking MIS/ PS courses as their cognate or elective?

[genx77]

thanks bemused... i already typed a lot of info only to realize that when i was abt to post, the server has reached its maximum capacity so nabura.. bummer..

anyway, here i go again. it is being offered in three units in up.. the college or arts & letters (ma & phd), college of social sciences & philo (phd), and the asian center (ma & phd).

im finishing mine in the asian center. they have three majors: society & culture, bureaucracy and external relations. my major is the last one, and being so i have the first two as my sub-major fields.

soc & cult is a course for the independent researchers kasi para siyang sociology & anthrop focused nga lang sa phil tapos u apply apart from the research traditions of these fields, u also use literary criticism and philosophy.. a lot of graduates here are into teaching but several too are in the civil society.

bureaucracy is like public ad.. ang focus nga niya ay culture in the orgs, u r also trained to study orgs not on the surface level say org chart but more on the hidden aspects in an org. i met some and yeah they are in the local govt and into consultancy..

my course is like mis kaya lang lagi ang focus ay nasa relevance ng philippines.. it's more than foreign relations it is external relations meaning other than state to state relations ang pinag-aaralan namin at ang impact nito sa rp national interest.. among others.. a number of graduates passed the fso exam and they are into foreign service, embassies and aid agencies

hope this helps.. cheers to u again.. :D

[genx77]

uyyy bemused.. MIS ka pala? naku marami nga sa inyo ang nasa asian center.. iam very very close to one MIS student..

kuha ka na ng cognate in phil studies. get pertierra next sem.. he is really good.. he is known also in ateneo & la salle.. research intensive nga lang. sa bagay sanay ka na siguro..

kumusta nag nagkokompre sa ma poli sci? wala or sobrang kaunti lang daw nang nakakapasa? :D

[bemused]

ey, yeah. this is my 2nd sem sa MIS. actually, i heard nga na ok na backgrounder ang Phil stud if you want to pass the FSO.

actually, i have this whole semester to think about the cognate that i really want. got 9-12 units lang eh (for my cognate), so essentially, i have 4 subjects lang coz i'm under the thesis program. mas focused 'to in a sense since i have to concentrate on one discipline lang as cognate.

i'm already taking my first cognate, and i'm still undecided if i'd really like to pursue that.

i'll seriously take into consideration your suggestion. lost pa rin kasi ako.

may i know who is that MIS stude?;) pm mo ko. hehe.

about compre ng polsci, well sabi nila talaga daw mahirap! kaya nga kinakabahan akong kunin siya as cognate.

[genx77]

hello again bemused.. already sent u a pvt msg.. anyway taking phil studies as a cognate will really compliment ur course MIS ka diba? and it's a very good combination.. IS and phil studies.. :D

[bemused]

uhm....yeah....

got ur message.

pmed you back.:p

hello, working graduate students!

i've noticed more young professionals are taking their graduate studies quite early than the generation of our parents. i mean yung mga gen-xers, we. :D

[genx77]

sobra.. talaga.. may kaklase nga ako 21 years old eh.. 20 yata siya nagsimula.. come to think of it parang i want to lie abt my age na.. though im 25 pa lang.. :D ngee.. gurang pa din.. huhuhu.

bemused, wala pa akong natatanggap na pm from u. there must be something wrong with the server..

cheers to u all.. ;)

[bemused]

genx77, have you received my PM?

nway, if you still didn't, i said i was just kidding about the MIS friend of yours.

hellowie! how's grad school everyone?:)

[wasted_gurl]

yoohoo!
i am out to wreck this thread!!!
mwahahahahahaha!

***ka-boom!!!***


wasted_gurl
seriously, i need a drink.


p.s. joks lang bemused!

[MayorQuimby]

sobra.. talaga.. may kaklase nga ako 21 years old eh.. 20 yata siya nagsimula.. come to think of it parang i want to lie abt my age na.. though im 25 pa lang.. ngee.. gurang pa din.. huhuhu.

I'm currently taking up MBA right now and most of my classmates are between 26 - 40. I think that's a relatively good spread, especially when it comes to sharing individual work experiences, whether during class discussions or socials. It gives you a very good insight of what is really happening in the present day workplace and trends across numerous industries.

[genx77]

very true.. i actually get more insights from classmates who have been working for years in the fields of foreign affairs and civil society... :)