![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 18 to 42 of 45. Go back in thread:
Posted by jay on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to no no no no no no no no, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2005, at 22:13:37
> I can't do it.
>
> I just can't.
>
> I can't keep up with my work now. I jsut can't.Dinah....
I am a 'adult/working' learner myself. Not only was I born with a developmental disability, I have this horrid mental illness like you and others do. I, too, am going back in the Fall to university to get my B.Ed degree. I started back (after being away for 10 years) last summer, took a third year course and got an 80 in it. I was still having some pretty bad problems with my mind, stress, life, etc. Nowadays, I feel a bit more confident, but I share the same fears as you. As other's have suggested, do everything in your power to reduce stress. I imagine you can also register with your campus disability/special needs department, so they have your info on file in case you need to drop out all of a sudden, or say need some accommodations like exam time limits, etc. Even just ONE course will put the wind back in your sails. I hope you give it a shot....but I can understand if you don't.
Either way,
Best Wishes,
Jay
Posted by Tamar on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to no no no no no no no no, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2005, at 22:13:37
> I can't do it.
>
> I just can't.
>
> I can't keep up with my work now. I jsut can't.Like others who've replied, I really want to encourage you. And, for what it’s worth, I don’t think that your studies would prevent you keeping up with your job. I know you're worried about your work, but if you're worried about the time that studying will take up, I would encourage you to believe you can cope.
I teach adults, and many of my students are people who are coming back to school as mature students. Many of them are studying part time and have full time jobs. Some of them have special needs or mental illness. These are often the best students; they're committed and even though they don't have much time for study, their interest in the subject carries them through.
In fact, the hardest thing about returning to school is not usually the schoolwork, but the culture shock. It takes time to get used to new systems, new rules and new people. So I would advise you (as others have) to start with just one class and take it slowly until you get a feel for how you can fit your studies into the rest of your life.
And I would agree with Annierose: sending off the application is just the first part of the process. You can pull out later if you really feel you have to.
At this point you really have nothing to lose.
I formed the impression you’ve been thinking about this for a while. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you go for it. I don’t know if this applies, but your desire to back off now reminds me of my attempts to avoid going to parties. I always think it’s a good idea three weeks in advance, but when it gets to the day of the party I get cold feet. And yet I know that I’ll enjoy it when I get there. I have no particular reason to fear rejection or failure, and yet I get very anxious. Is it like that for you with going back to school?
Posted by fallsfall on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to Re: no no no no no no no no » fallsfall, posted by JenStar on June 12, 2005, at 13:10:56
I don't know if I'm ready to *do* this yet, but I'm ready to think about it... At this point I'm saying "It might be a good thing for me to go back to school, but I'm not sure what direction to go in, but maybe taking a single course this fall might help me to feel more confidence about things".
I live in a college town, so I could take a class there. Or I could take a class online. The college here doesn't really have the classes I think I want for the long term, but it would have a "Let's see if we like taking classes" class.
I am signing up (trying to sign up) for a vocational evaluation to help me know what direction to go in, but it could takes months to get that started.
Do you know what you want to major in?
Anyone else want to join the club? I'm hoping the rules say that to join the club you need to be willing to consider the possibility that you will go back to school some day. No more commitment than that for me!!
Posted by Bobby on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to no no no no no no no no, posted by Dinah on June 11, 2005, at 22:13:37
If anybody can do it---you can. I've got faith in you Dinah! If classes seem too much--what about some online courses that are not as involved to start out? Don't sweat so much--time is on your side. There's always tomorrow.
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to Re: no no no no no no no no » Dinah, posted by Bobby on June 12, 2005, at 16:56:30
I am so internally conflicted about this. I guess that's apparent from my posts. :) I swing sooo widely in how I view it.
What's astonishing me is how positively my husband is viewing it. He's worried that it'll take time away from the family of course, but overall he's being really supportive in a way most unlike him.
Falls, you brought up some really good points that I want to give some thought to before replying.
Especially about commute time and parking and walking. I'd be going to a much bigger university than I've ever been to before. One of those huge impersonal places. And it's a fair commute, timewise. And not in the same direction as anyplace else I go. I think I really am scared by the idea of such a big place, and professors that aren't much involved with the students.
At both universities I attended, there were really low student/faculty ratios even in 101 classes. Chemistry was the only class that was large enough to be in anything bigger than a normal high school sized classroom, and that wasn't a good experience (50% right was an A, with the curve). I used to go up with a revolving group of students after every trigonometry class to the professor's office where he'd give the class again, but interactively, because I really had trouble grasping trig.
I don't know. I'm feeling confident and competent again at the moment, but as bedtime nears the scary university monsters will come out from under the bed and scare me witless.
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to Thanks everyone, posted by Dinah on June 12, 2005, at 22:56:23
Posted by alexandra_k on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to BTW, I love the idea of a back to school club :) (nm), posted by Dinah on June 12, 2005, at 22:57:16
You should be able to check their lists of papers online. From there you should be able to obtain a past years course outline. That should give you an outline of the topics covered in the course and should also give you the name of the txt book and any reccomended readings.
Looking at all three can be a good way of deciding whether the paper is likely to interest you or not.
I don't know how things work in the US but over here we need to take a major subject and a supporting subject. Most degrees (especially arts and social sciences) also give you some options to take general interest papers.
Over here you don't really need to decide until your second full time year what you want to major in and what you want your first support to be etc.
Sometimes you find that a subject that you wouldn't have thought would interest you all that much really does. And sometimes you find that a subject that you would have thought interesting actually isn't to you because of the interests of the faculty members in the department.
Ideally a first year psychology paper should give you a good general overview of all the different areas within psychology. Psychology doesn't deserve to be a unified discipline IMO. Some of it is fun, other aspects need to tell you a bit of a story to explain how they got to be in the psychology department!
Religion / comparative religion can depend on where the faculties interests lie.
May I suggest...
The students board???
(Just trying to get the board a bit more active)
:-)
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to Re: no no no no no no no no » Dinah, posted by fallsfall on June 12, 2005, at 11:06:21
Ok, I think I'm ready. For one thing, I've already mailed in the application, and now just need to agonize over registering. And whether to see if I'm eligible for honors classes.
> Back up. i'm doing the same dance that you are...
>
> Is there one particular class that you would like to take? That you think would be interesting? Don't think about the degree, or a change in occupation or even the second class. You said that you thought that a class would be invigorating for you - that it would make it easier for you to do your work. That is a real possibility. So don't give up yet. Let's think this through a little.
>
I would like to take some psychology courses. Of course the really interesting ones require that you take the 100 level course first. And the really really interesting ones also require statistics, which is dull in the extreme. So I'm guessing I'll have to do boring before I can do interesting. I am giving consideration to seeing if I can qualify for the honors Psych 101. Although my therapist thinks that's stupid.> So let's take Psych 101 as an example (since you mentioned it). Personally, I think that you probably know 80% of the material already. But that doesn't make it a bad choice. It would give you the experience of going to classes, taking tests, writing papers in a subject that you are comfortable with. And you would be filling in the gaps in your knowledge (that other 20%). We know it is a subject that is interesting to you. So I don't think you would find the *subject* difficult. The difficulty would be in finding a way to fit the necessary work for the class into your schedule.
It's one of those auditorium classes. Which leads my husband to believe I can do it with my eyes closed. I'm not sure. I think they try to flunk people out in the freshman year in those huge classes. Plus, I'm used to smaller professor student ratios. I might find it overwhelming.
>
> So let's talk about that. When does the class meet? Does it meet 1X or 2X or 3X/week? How long are the classes? Which schedule would you like better? [for me, I would want a class that meets 2 or 3/week because I wouldn't want to need to sit through a 3 hour class.They don't seem to offer it once a week. For me, the fewer times I go, the better. It's about forty five minutes to an hour away, depending on traffic. You have to park and walk forever (so I get the extra benefit of exercise). So it would be an hour and twenty minutes? I think. Twice a week.
>So for me, a shorter class would be worth going more than once a week. How does this work for you? What would be better for you?] Does the class meet on days and times that you think you could go to? How long would it take you to get to the campus? Can you park? How far would you have to walk? Factor in all the transportation and class time and everything and figure out how long each class would really take - door to door. Part of this process is letting you do a mental runthrough of what it would be like to go to class. But remember that you think that the excitement of taking a class will help ease the burden.
>
If I take the 8 am class, I'll be back to my office by noon. If I take the 9 am class, the day is probably shot. I can still work at home.
> What work would you expect to have to do outside of class? Reading, studying for tests, writing papers. You already do lots of reading... What is it like for you to study for tests? Remember that you will be pretty interested in the material (and you know 80% of it anyway). Somehow I don't think the papers would be hard for you! You could even talk to a professor and ask about the class. I don't think they would be surprised at your questions.
>
That one I don't know the answer to. Are you more or less likely to get papers in those exceedingly large classes. More likely to get multiple choice tests? My husband thinks it will be very easy. I have no frame of reference.
> Remember that you are only deciding about taking ONE class.Definitely!! And only two semesters a year.
>
> What is the cost? Do you have the money, or a way to get the money? Would you have to give something up in order to pay for school? Would you be willing to give that up?The cost for the school I'm going to is within my budget, especially since I'll have to drop to once a week therapy at most. (My therapist is not surprisingly against my going to school under those circumstances). Plus income tax deductions or credits. The school I'd rather go to is beyond my reach, being roughly $2000 per course.
The time involved in going to therapy is also only a bit less than the time involved in going to school - actual class wise. I'd have to give up a lot of Babble time. And go down to once a week therapy. Part of me is willing. Part of me is completely opposed. People must think I'm very conflicted.
>
> Now the hard part: time.
>
> Your schedule tends to be pretty flexible, as I understand it. You often work from home, and often aren't working 9 - 5. So I would think that *scheduling* the time to do the class wouldn't be a problem. The question is whether you would *have* the extra time to do the class - and the extra energy required.I'm a bit worried about the 8 am too. And that would be the best time for my life. I know I could show up at that time and listen appropriately. I'm not sure I could take exams.
>
> (By the way, this discussion is as much for me as it is for you. I need to start moving forward towards whatever happens in my life "after depression". I am wrestling with these same decisions myself.)My therapist thinks this is an impulsive and ill-thought decision born of dropping Depakote and resulting mild hypomania. I think it's born of feeling good and strong for the first time in years. At least part of me does.
>
> I have found in the last couple of months, that when I am motivated to do things, that I can do them better than I expect. Not perfectly, but better than I expect. So I'm finding that enthusiasm makes things possible that I didn't think would be possible. You have enthusiasm for going back to school - just read your posts! So you have the underlying motivation to make it work. The question is whether you are ready *now* to do this. During some of your harder work times, you have successfully done the "finish this small work task and then you can have this reward" thing. And that has worked for you. Does taking this class count in your mind as a reward? Do you think that you would be able to motivate yourself to get your work done by saying that it is the "cost" of taking the class? Your difficulty in working seems largely motivational to me - maybe if you saw your work as the thing that made school possible, it would be easier to do - because you would have something to look forward to after you get the work done.This is my thought. That my problems with work are caused as much from apathy and boredom as from any thing else. And that if I energize myself by stimulating my bored and somewhat depressed brain, I'll have more energy for everything.
>
> Another idea is to find an Adult Ed class to take this summer, just to try out "taking a class". Don't take a college class in the summer - a full course load in the summer is 2 classes at a time, so they are twice as intense in the summer. But take a class in the stock market, or some computer application you don't know, or sign language, or whatever. Just to try out the idea of taking a class.Around here, it's too late. However, I am going to order a Latin class to study at home. If I ever make it to my Religious Studies masters (world religions), I'll need to be fluent in reading a foreign language. I wanted to learn Hebrew instead. But I've already learned Latin once (and forgotten it), and I won't need to learn a new alphabet. The curriculum in Psychology requires a currently spoken language. :( But I've always wanted to learn American sign language, which qualifies. I think my accent will be execrable though. You remember how graceful I am...
There's a woman in church who speaks American Sign Language with such a lovely, graceful, almost lyrical accent.
>
> You *HAVE* time in your day. You spend it taking care of your family, and buying things online, and procrastinating about working, and reading Babble, and taking naps, and watching TV. The real question is whether you would be happier if you spent the time taking a class instead, and would the class be motivating enough for you to give up some of those activities?
>
*I* most definitely am. I, on the other hand, am not willing to give up Babble or therapy.> It would be helpful for me to talk this through with you - like I said, I am making the same kind of decision myself.
Have you come to any conclusions? :)
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:14
In reply to Ok, I'm ready. Falls and everyone., posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 11:53:01
I discovered I'm eligible for honors courses. But my therapist thinks it's stupid to start with one.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm ready. Falls and everyone., posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 12:52:54
> I discovered I'm eligible for honors courses. But my therapist thinks it's stupid to start with one.
That's a tough one. I qualified too, and took honors courses my first two semesters. I really enjoyed the professors and the other students, but it did start to wear after a while, and I felt I was worrying about my honors work so much that my major wasn't getting my full attention. If you decide to do it, I'd advise keeping your schedule very light. It is very fulfilling, but also very demanding, as you can imagine.
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Re: Honors college » Dinah, posted by Minnie-Haha on June 15, 2005, at 13:13:10
I'm not even enrolled yet, and I think I'm up to my old tricks. Being competitive. Having grades matter way too much. Of course, if they really matter, I shouldn't take honors. :)
I think more than anything I'm scared at the large class size in non-honors classes. And wanting more interaction with other students and the professor. It's just too different than what I'm used to, and not in an appealing way. But maybe that's just the cost you pay when you pay less in tuition.
I'm only taking one class per semester. I was afraid that would disqualify me from the honors program, but apparently not.
Posted by Tamar on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Ok, I'm ready. Falls and everyone., posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 11:53:01
> Ok, I think I'm ready. For one thing, I've already mailed in the application, and now just need to agonize over registering. And whether to see if I'm eligible for honors classes.
I’m so glad you’ve mailed the application! And I’m really glad to hear you sounding so enthusiastic about it.
> It's one of those auditorium classes. Which leads my husband to believe I can do it with my eyes closed. I'm not sure. I think they try to flunk people out in the freshman year in those huge classes. Plus, I'm used to smaller professor student ratios. I might find it overwhelming.
I don’t think you’ll be flunked out! But yes, these huge classes can be strangely isolating. Taking the honours class would probably be more stimulating for you, but might be a lot of pressure at the beginning as you get used to your new schedule (not only at school, but also your new work and therapy schedule). Would you be able to take time off work for the first couple of weeks of the class? It might give you time to settle in. I know time off work is hard to come by, though…
> That one I don't know the answer to. Are you more or less likely to get papers in those exceedingly large classes. More likely to get multiple choice tests? My husband thinks it will be very easy. I have no frame of reference.
It usually depends on how many people are available to mark all the class papers. Ideally, though, students should get to do some papers, so that they can get the research and writing practice.
> The time involved in going to therapy is also only a bit less than the time involved in going to school - actual class wise. I'd have to give up a lot of Babble time. And go down to once a week therapy. Part of me is willing. Part of me is completely opposed. People must think I'm very conflicted.
Most people ARE quite conflicted when making decisions like this. I don’t think you’re unusual! The good thing is that it’s not an irrevocable decision. If you decide it’s not what you hoped for, then you can change your mind. It has fewer consequences by far than things you’ve already done: like, say, having a child!
> I'm a bit worried about the 8 am too. And that would be the best time for my life. I know I could show up at that time and listen appropriately. I'm not sure I could take exams.
Would exams necessarily be at 8am?
> My therapist thinks this is an impulsive and ill-thought decision born of dropping Depakote and resulting mild hypomania. I think it's born of feeling good and strong for the first time in years. At least part of me does.
Well, I can see how he might think that way, especially if the first he heard of it was within the last month. But I’m sure there have been mutterings on these boards for many months about your going back to school… not necessarily from you, but sometimes from people suggesting you could go back to school and study psychology. Actually, although I’m sure I’ve seen such things, I can’t remember any specifics. Maybe I’m mistaken… How long have you been thinking (however idly) about going back to school? And how recently did you first tell your therapist?
> Around here, it's too late. However, I am going to order a Latin class to study at home. If I ever make it to my Religious Studies masters (world religions), I'll need to be fluent in reading a foreign language. I wanted to learn Hebrew instead. But I've already learned Latin once (and forgotten it), and I won't need to learn a new alphabet. The curriculum in Psychology requires a currently spoken language. :( But I've always wanted to learn American sign language, which qualifies. I think my accent will be execrable though. You remember how graceful I am...
I always wanted to learn Latin. Maybe one day… But I have learned Hebrew. It’s really not that hard. It only takes a week to learn the alphabet, and about another week to get used to reading from right to left, and then away you go! The grammar is quite different from English grammar but not nearly as complex as Latin grammar. But I imagine you’ll be able to learn Hebrew when you start your Religious Studies masters.
I’m quite excited about your going back to school. Is this some kind of transference on my part?!
Posted by alexandra_k on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm ready. Falls and everyone. » Dinah, posted by Tamar on June 15, 2005, at 16:32:07
Don't know if you people have these or not...
It is basically taking all the undergrad papers for one subject. Instead of doing another whole degree (with first support and option papers etc) you can just focus on a single subject.
The program takes one year full time.
(I think part time is an option)
You have to have a prior degree.Once you have a post-grad diploma in the subject then you can enroll at grad level in the subject.
I think...
Picking up psychology at grad level without pre-requisites would pretty much doom one to failure :-(
There are necessities such as APA formatting
Proficiency with SPSS statistical analysis progam
Understanding scientific method and Interpretation of experimental findings
One also needs to work within a paradigm and it is nice to know about the different ones to make an informed decision and be able to explain how you differ from this to others.And a whole heap of other background stuff...
I remember *huge* first year psych papers...
I don't know how the 'standard' first year psych paper is run (even if there is such a thing). I had a look at MIT because they put all their lecture notes and everything on the net. But their first year psych paper most certainly is not standard (it is Stephen Pinker (or at least Stephen Pinker's doctoral assistant)) teaching his books.In general...
Because they are such huge classes multi choice seems to be the preferred form of assessment.
We also had 2 hr labs once per week. In the labs we had to do part of an experiment (from our lab book) and write one section of a report (introduction, method or whatever) in APA format to hand in the next week.
We also had a multi choice stats test in the second half of the lab.
We had 2X 2 hour lectures per week.
The topics were- Behaviourism
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuro-psychology
- Research Methods
- Human Development
- Abnormal PsychologyTo give us a bit of a taste of some different areas.
But I guess it is different in different places.
Posted by alexandra_k on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Re: Post grad diplomas, posted by alexandra_k on June 15, 2005, at 17:13:57
Psychology is such a diverse field...
At grad level (or at honours level) they will assume all the background knowledge of the undergrad papers.
Without that common background I think it would be really hard to follow what is being said because there isn't a common frame of reference.
A lot of it probably won't seem of interest initially at least.
We had to do experiments with chickens and their pecking behaviour. Draw graphs. Etc.
(learning and memory experiments are typically done on animals)
We had to learn about neurons and glial cells and neuro-transmission etc.
(there is a bit of chemistry in that)
We had to learn about the emergence of abnormal psychology as a discipline within psychology (as opposed to psychiatry).
CBT was the model of emphasis.In general...
I would recomend going back.
It is stimulating
And while study is hard work
There is something satisfying about it.
It is stimulating
And IMO the best way to improve brainpower
(memory, concentration, etc)
Is to use it.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Re: Honors college » Minnie-Haha, posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 13:18:58
> I'm not even enrolled yet, and I think I'm up to my old tricks. Being competitive. Having grades matter way too much. Of course, if they really matter, I shouldn't take honors. :)
Yes. I'd have to say that was part of the draw for me. I didn't go to college right out of high school, and I'd always felt self-conscious about it. Then, when I found I could enter the honors college, I thought, "Well, that would be cool. To graduate with honors," but when I started having trouble keeping up with my major, I let it go. It's funny we should be talking about this, because while I was at the library this afternoon, waiting for my son, I read Anna Quindlen's "Being Perfect." Not the kind of thing I usually read, but I had a little time to kill and it is a very little book. I had to chuckle a few times while I was reading it...
As for grades, I made the dean's list those first two semesters (and a few times afterwards), but I was really driving myself hard. I couldn't sustain it.
> I think more than anything I'm scared at the large class size in non-honors classes. And wanting more interaction with other students and the professor. It's just too different than what I'm used to, and not in an appealing way. But maybe that's just the cost you pay when you pay less in tuition.
So all of your classes would be honors classes, with honors professors and honors students? Where I went to school, it wasn't set up that way. There were some core honors classes you had to take, and then you had to do extra honors work in some of the classes in your major. And you had to write an undergrad thesis. But you're going to grad school, right? If you only take 1-2 at a time, but they're all honors, with great professors and small class sizes, I'd be tempted to stick with it!
> I'm only taking one class per semester. I was afraid that would disqualify me from the honors program, but apparently not.
Cool.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on June 15, 2005, at 21:50:15
In reply to Re: Honors college » Dinah, posted by Minnie-Haha on June 15, 2005, at 19:40:01
I seem to have the worst time with those Amazon links. Here it is again:
"Being Perfect" by Anna Quindlen.
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 8:22:21
In reply to Re: Ok, I'm ready. Falls and everyone. » Dinah, posted by Tamar on June 15, 2005, at 16:32:07
> > Ok, I think I'm ready. For one thing, I've already mailed in the application, and now just need to agonize over registering. And whether to see if I'm eligible for honors classes.
>
> I’m so glad you’ve mailed the application! And I’m really glad to hear you sounding so enthusiastic about it.Depends on when you talk to me. :(
>
> > It's one of those auditorium classes. Which leads my husband to believe I can do it with my eyes closed. I'm not sure. I think they try to flunk people out in the freshman year in those huge classes. Plus, I'm used to smaller professor student ratios. I might find it overwhelming.
>
> I don’t think you’ll be flunked out! But yes, these huge classes can be strangely isolating. Taking the honours class would probably be more stimulating for you, but might be a lot of pressure at the beginning as you get used to your new schedule (not only at school, but also your new work and therapy schedule). Would you be able to take time off work for the first couple of weeks of the class? It might give you time to settle in. I know time off work is hard to come by, though…It's ok for me to be gone specific hours, but I need to maintain the 25-30 hours I work on average. I guess I could talk to the advisor they assign me about honors classes. Maybe taking classes that will most likely be relatively easy isn't so bad. Especially if my old grade competitiveness comes back.
>
> > That one I don't know the answer to. Are you more or less likely to get papers in those exceedingly large classes. More likely to get multiple choice tests? My husband thinks it will be very easy. I have no frame of reference.
>
> It usually depends on how many people are available to mark all the class papers. Ideally, though, students should get to do some papers, so that they can get the research and writing practice.
>
As I recall (from the dark ages) those introductory classes that just about everyone, no matter their major, takes are pretty general, give an overview of the discipline, and have multiple choice questions with no papers. But that was a different university. I'm not sure about other countries, but in the US the standards to get into public college (at least this one) aren't that high. There seems to be the desire for everyone to go to college. So the atmosphere at the basic levels of every class is geared towards that. What I'm not sure is if they take the opportunity to make sure everyone has a chance to get comfortable, or if they give you a trial by fire to whittle down the numbers.> > The time involved in going to therapy is also only a bit less than the time involved in going to school - actual class wise. I'd have to give up a lot of Babble time. And go down to once a week therapy. Part of me is willing. Part of me is completely opposed. People must think I'm very conflicted.
>
> Most people ARE quite conflicted when making decisions like this. I don’t think you’re unusual! The good thing is that it’s not an irrevocable decision. If you decide it’s not what you hoped for, then you can change your mind. It has fewer consequences by far than things you’ve already done: like, say, having a child!I suppose. School was always so important to me though...
>
> > I'm a bit worried about the 8 am too. And that would be the best time for my life. I know I could show up at that time and listen appropriately. I'm not sure I could take exams.
>
> Would exams necessarily be at 8am?
>
Hmmm... My experience in that was also at another college. Exams were pretty much at the usual time in the usual place, but days were staggered.> > My therapist thinks this is an impulsive and ill-thought decision born of dropping Depakote and resulting mild hypomania. I think it's born of feeling good and strong for the first time in years. At least part of me does.
>
> Well, I can see how he might think that way, especially if the first he heard of it was within the last month. But I’m sure there have been mutterings on these boards for many months about your going back to school… not necessarily from you, but sometimes from people suggesting you could go back to school and study psychology. Actually, although I’m sure I’ve seen such things, I can’t remember any specifics. Maybe I’m mistaken… How long have you been thinking (however idly) about going back to school? And how recently did you first tell your therapist?It's been in the back of my mind for a long time. Mainly for the future. The decision to go in the fall is sudden, and I just told my therapist. A lot of my decisions are made that way though. Something stews way back in the back of my mind then pops out as if from nowhere.
>
> > Around here, it's too late. However, I am going to order a Latin class to study at home. If I ever make it to my Religious Studies masters (world religions), I'll need to be fluent in reading a foreign language. I wanted to learn Hebrew instead. But I've already learned Latin once (and forgotten it), and I won't need to learn a new alphabet. The curriculum in Psychology requires a currently spoken language. :( But I've always wanted to learn American sign language, which qualifies. I think my accent will be execrable though. You remember how graceful I am...
>
> I always wanted to learn Latin. Maybe one day… But I have learned Hebrew. It’s really not that hard. It only takes a week to learn the alphabet, and about another week to get used to reading from right to left, and then away you go! The grammar is quite different from English grammar but not nearly as complex as Latin grammar. But I imagine you’ll be able to learn Hebrew when you start your Religious Studies masters.
>
I'll give it some more thought. I think there's some of that Latin back in my mind somewhere. It just needs to be shaken loose.> I’m quite excited about your going back to school. Is this some kind of transference on my part?!
>
>
:) I need to borrow a bit of that today.
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 9:07:24
In reply to Re: Post grad diplomas, posted by alexandra_k on June 15, 2005, at 17:13:57
Here I need to just pick up the requirements that I didn't get before. Unfortunately, I think those are substantial. The classes are the same classes students going for their first bachelors take.
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 9:09:38
In reply to Re: Honors college » Dinah, posted by Minnie-Haha on June 15, 2005, at 19:40:01
I've gone the whole route before. Not honors, but needing to not only get an A but the highest A. And I concluded that I had wasted my time. Sure, everyone makes a big deal about it the first years after college, but then nobody really cares.
So I hope this time, I'll be happy with A's and B's.
I wouldn't say I tried to be perfect. Only the perfect student. But I think that was a mistake.
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 11:08:35
In reply to Re: Honors college » Minnie-Haha, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 9:09:38
I was not a well adjusted student.
Since tenth grade, when I realized that I could be top in the class, I became obsessed with not only making A's, but the highest A's in the class. And I succeeded.
I did not spectacularly on my SAT's, but high enough to be a National Merit Scholar. I entered a very competitive university with a very demanding premed schedule. After one semester I left, because I was close to a breakdown. Getting straight A's was a lot harder there. I did it, but only because a 50 was an A in Chemistry. Well, I actually got a B in P.E. but that wasn't supposed to count to my GPA.
My second school did count it, so that was my only B in my college career. Counted at 1 hour of credit. So I graduated summa cum laude with the highest grade in my college of the university. I continued on one post degree exam. At that point, I swore never to do anything academic again. Never. Ever again.
I've learned to be a mediocre, not even good enough employee. It was hard but I learned it.
But can I learn to be a good-enough student? Or will a B send me plunging into depression as it once did. I just as well failed as obtained a B. There was literally no difference to me. That's always been true since first grade.
This is one reason I think going back to school might be unwise. I'm older, but am I more balanced now?
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 19:39:25
In reply to Confession of a former valedictorian, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 11:08:35
BTW, I wasn't stating the above as a good thing. I was stating it as a very bad thing.
It just wasn't healthy. And if I fell into that trap again it would be disastrous.
I spent the first twenty someodd years of my life pursuing something that just wasn't worth pursuing. I nearly had a breakdown twice in my college career over grades. Two or three years out of school and nobody gives a d*mn what your GPA was. As long as I got my diploma, my life would have been substantially the same no matter what my grade was.
Posted by fallsfall on June 16, 2005, at 20:55:31
In reply to Re: Confession of a former valedictorian, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 19:39:25
Can you see this as a therapeutic opportunity? This is a chance to see if you, with your therapist's help, can make this class a healthy experience for you. You have some control over whether you fall back into your old patterns or not. If you don't like your old patterns, then try to figure out how to break them and establish new ones.
By the way, what is it that makes you say that you would have to drop a therapy session if you go back to school? For me, having solid therapy is absolutely necessary when I try something new.
I'm sorry it took me so long to get to the end of this thread. And things are up in the air for me right now. Maybe I'll go back to Computer Science (but I'd still need to take a couple of classes to get "current").
I think that starting out in a subject and teaching methodology that you would like is more important than ease or difficulty. My Psych 101 class (25 years ago...) was probably no more than 20 people in a small room. And this was at a huge university. At least that's what I remember... I don't think there was a lecture associated with it. But with some big lecture classes, they have small group classes, too.
Sorry, having trouble focussing tonight........
Posted by Dinah on June 17, 2005, at 7:55:13
In reply to Re: Confession of a former valedictorian » Dinah, posted by fallsfall on June 16, 2005, at 20:55:31
Thanks for answering Falls. :)
I suspect I might go back to my old patterns because I can already see myself doing it. :(
I'd have to reduce to once a week therapy for time restraints. I'm seriously pushing the time envelope as it is. There is no way I can manage more than once a week. If things got in a crunch, I may have to skip entire weeks. Because once I signed up, I couldn't miss class.
I think at this point it hinges on my ability to pull myself together at work between now and registration. If I can't do that, I need to drop the entire idea of school.
Posted by fallsfall on June 18, 2005, at 13:37:48
In reply to Re: Confession of a former valedictorian » fallsfall, posted by Dinah on June 17, 2005, at 7:55:13
If you know that your old ways aren't good for you, then this is an opportunity to try to do it differently. That can be hard when you have less therapy - I find that I need my therapist's encouragement and insight to see how to do things differently.
I hope things work out in a way that ends up being good for you.
Posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 26, 2005, at 15:15:40
In reply to Confession of a former valedictorian, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 11:08:35
Dinah,
I have the same story as you, except I parlayed my high school performance into an honors placement at a good university. I started taking AD's in the fall of my senior year in high school, and I immediately saw my grades go down the toilet. It was really painful to see that happen, and I am still suffering from that: three years in college have seen me accumulate the worst academic record of my life. I'm having trouble concentrating and just can't get it despite having the innate smarts to do it. I'm not being an overachiever complaining about B's -- I'm complaining about C's, which are grades I consider to be wholly unacceptable.
Can someone relate to me here? I'm trying to establish a link between AD's and a decline in academic performance.
Doug
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Students | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.