I started my Master's program in Summer, 2013. I went back to my Alma Mater to obtain my Master's in Elementary and Middle School Administration, and when I started my program, I had only been teaching two years. And let's face it: if you are the type of person who is a teacher and who is going to work on your Master's Degree, you're the type of person who does a TON more than just teach and go to school. When I was getting my degree, I was teaching full-time, going to graduate school full-time, coaching high school softball, among other things.
So here are a few tips to help you get through your time.
So here are a few tips to help you get through your time.
(I was inspired by Alison's list at Learning at the Primary Pond)
1. Make sure what you're getting your Master's in is something that you're interested in.
It took a lot of people telling me a lot of times that they thought I would be a good administrator for me to even consider it. I weighed my options of degree programs and after research and a lot of praying, I decided Administration was the thing for me. It helped me get through my assignments and classes because my mindset wasn't "I HAVE to do _____" it was "I GET to do _____" I was genuinely excited and happy to do each assignment. (I'm a big nerd anyway, so that helped)
It took a lot of people telling me a lot of times that they thought I would be a good administrator for me to even consider it. I weighed my options of degree programs and after research and a lot of praying, I decided Administration was the thing for me. It helped me get through my assignments and classes because my mindset wasn't "I HAVE to do _____" it was "I GET to do _____" I was genuinely excited and happy to do each assignment. (I'm a big nerd anyway, so that helped)
2. Beware of the "full plate"
I got a fortune once that said "Don't overload your plate unless you intend to share"
I am the queen of the full plate/extra irons in the fire/juggling act. However, while I was getting my degree I was extra cautious to not fill my plate too full, and when I felt like it was getting too full, I would drop a commitment. I went to school full-time and taught full time, which was like having two jobs. I also am the assistant high school softball coach, on the PBIS team, a board member of our local softball league, among other things. I had to let go of singing in the church choir for a while, and stop going to church council meetings. I also had to learn....
I got a fortune once that said "Don't overload your plate unless you intend to share"
I am the queen of the full plate/extra irons in the fire/juggling act. However, while I was getting my degree I was extra cautious to not fill my plate too full, and when I felt like it was getting too full, I would drop a commitment. I went to school full-time and taught full time, which was like having two jobs. I also am the assistant high school softball coach, on the PBIS team, a board member of our local softball league, among other things. I had to let go of singing in the church choir for a while, and stop going to church council meetings. I also had to learn....
3. Don't be afraid to say "no"
I have a lot of friends who are all a lot of fun. They will call up at the drop of a hat and ask to do something (go to a ball game/go to dinner/go see a movie)... I had to learn to say no. And not just because "I have homework to do" but also as mental days -- Sometimes I had to say no; I can't go so that I could breathe and sleep!
I have a lot of friends who are all a lot of fun. They will call up at the drop of a hat and ask to do something (go to a ball game/go to dinner/go see a movie)... I had to learn to say no. And not just because "I have homework to do" but also as mental days -- Sometimes I had to say no; I can't go so that I could breathe and sleep!
4. Explore your options
Education is unique in that if you want to take on those extra things, you can. I got a lot of opportunities to go to meetings and create presentations and really see what a person who uses my degree daily goes through. If you're getting your degree in curriculum, ask if you can be on the next committee. If you're getting your counseling degree, ask if you can be paired with your counselor to do some research and learn how s/he does things. So when you do take on anything extra you have to ...
Education is unique in that if you want to take on those extra things, you can. I got a lot of opportunities to go to meetings and create presentations and really see what a person who uses my degree daily goes through. If you're getting your degree in curriculum, ask if you can be on the next committee. If you're getting your counseling degree, ask if you can be paired with your counselor to do some research and learn how s/he does things. So when you do take on anything extra you have to ...
5. Plan, Plan, Plan, Plan
I'm a huge planner. I have an Erin Condren Teacher planner and it works perfectly, keeping my personal dates and classroom lessons all in one place. I also had to learn that I had to write everything down; EVERYTHING -- my planner became a journal of sorts. When you are so busy, you will sometimes forget that there is a party at your grandma's and that you are supposed to take tea. It just happens. So you have to write it down. Also, plan your food. I wasn't the best at this, I'll admit. But there's something to be said for sitting down for an hour or so and planning out your meals for the week. It does make your life 100Xs easier. It was hard for me to do, and I ended up getting fast food a LOT (and gained a few pounds). Weeks that I would plan, I would make things and then be able to eat on the meal for lunches throughout the week.
6. Take advantage of breaks/do things just for you
When I had a fall break, winter break, even a weekend I would milk it for all it's worth. I would use the breaks to work on school work, plan for teaching, and also recharge my batteries. I also had t.v. shows that I would record and watch at night; just to give myself some time to reset myself and prepare for the next challenge ahead.
I'm a huge planner. I have an Erin Condren Teacher planner and it works perfectly, keeping my personal dates and classroom lessons all in one place. I also had to learn that I had to write everything down; EVERYTHING -- my planner became a journal of sorts. When you are so busy, you will sometimes forget that there is a party at your grandma's and that you are supposed to take tea. It just happens. So you have to write it down. Also, plan your food. I wasn't the best at this, I'll admit. But there's something to be said for sitting down for an hour or so and planning out your meals for the week. It does make your life 100Xs easier. It was hard for me to do, and I ended up getting fast food a LOT (and gained a few pounds). Weeks that I would plan, I would make things and then be able to eat on the meal for lunches throughout the week.
6. Take advantage of breaks/do things just for you
When I had a fall break, winter break, even a weekend I would milk it for all it's worth. I would use the breaks to work on school work, plan for teaching, and also recharge my batteries. I also had t.v. shows that I would record and watch at night; just to give myself some time to reset myself and prepare for the next challenge ahead.
7. Shop in advance as much as possible
I would buy things like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo/conditioner and stock up. When you're as busy as you get... it's easy to forget to buy kitchen trash bags. I especially do this when I am working the fair, trying to set up my classroom, and softball season has started (plus grad school, and etc.). It's madness.
I would buy things like toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo/conditioner and stock up. When you're as busy as you get... it's easy to forget to buy kitchen trash bags. I especially do this when I am working the fair, trying to set up my classroom, and softball season has started (plus grad school, and etc.). It's madness.
8. Find a person
I'm not married. While going through school I was not in a relationship. But I had a few key people who had also been in grad school, or had been in a similarly stressful situation and I could confide in them. They were sympathetic (and empathetic!) of my busy-ness and forgetfulness. They got it when I had to say no, and they were still my friends!
9. Lay Down the Type A-ness
I am Type A. It's kind-of a running joke in my school how Type-A I am. As soon as a project, form, or email comes across my desk, I have to answer it.
But during my time in school (especially the last two semesters) I have to learn that it was okay for me to be a little "Type B" ... Sometimes I didn't answer everything at the exact second it comes across my desk, or my copies weren't made when I wanted them, sometimes I never got to make that "cute" worksheet to put on TpT, or I didn't get my grading done when I wanted to.
I had to learn to be okay with that.
I'm not married. While going through school I was not in a relationship. But I had a few key people who had also been in grad school, or had been in a similarly stressful situation and I could confide in them. They were sympathetic (and empathetic!) of my busy-ness and forgetfulness. They got it when I had to say no, and they were still my friends!
9. Lay Down the Type A-ness
I am Type A. It's kind-of a running joke in my school how Type-A I am. As soon as a project, form, or email comes across my desk, I have to answer it.
But during my time in school (especially the last two semesters) I have to learn that it was okay for me to be a little "Type B" ... Sometimes I didn't answer everything at the exact second it comes across my desk, or my copies weren't made when I wanted them, sometimes I never got to make that "cute" worksheet to put on TpT, or I didn't get my grading done when I wanted to.
I had to learn to be okay with that.
10. Get "in good" with your professors
Now, I'm not condoning "brown nosing" ... but the professors of your grad school program will be the ones who can help you gain experiences and show you ways to challenge yourself. My professors became people I could ask questions about the program, education as a whole, and they were 100% honest in what they shared. They have all the information on testing, requirements, what your next step should be, and are some of the best references for you to get the job you want!
11. Journal
I've kept a journal since I was 8 years old. I love being able to write down my thoughts and (mostly) opinions. I can look back and remember how hard it was and how much work I put in in a few years. I love being able to not only write about myself, but also my family and friends... write about things happening in the world, and keep track of my goals and dreams in my own little book.
Now, I'm not condoning "brown nosing" ... but the professors of your grad school program will be the ones who can help you gain experiences and show you ways to challenge yourself. My professors became people I could ask questions about the program, education as a whole, and they were 100% honest in what they shared. They have all the information on testing, requirements, what your next step should be, and are some of the best references for you to get the job you want!
11. Journal
I've kept a journal since I was 8 years old. I love being able to write down my thoughts and (mostly) opinions. I can look back and remember how hard it was and how much work I put in in a few years. I love being able to not only write about myself, but also my family and friends... write about things happening in the world, and keep track of my goals and dreams in my own little book.
BONUS: Walk
When you've finished your degree, you have to walk at graduation. It's you celebrating your accomplishments! Take it all in and realize how many people were cheering you on through out your grad program. It's a very exciting day!
When you've finished your degree, you have to walk at graduation. It's you celebrating your accomplishments! Take it all in and realize how many people were cheering you on through out your grad program. It's a very exciting day!
All that being said, I am so grateful that I got a higher degree. I learned more than I could have dreamed of, and it gave me great perspective on what goes on "behind the scenes" of education. It's not easy but totally doable!
Next step.... EdD.... ahahahahahahahahaahahahahhahaha
Next step.... EdD.... ahahahahahahahahaahahahahhahaha
