Is it foolish to try to take two courses while working full-time? I’m a civil engineering major and have a flexible schedule. I know it will take me 5+ years to finish, but earning my BSCE is my life-long dream.
If it’s your life-long dream, no amount of time is too long. Do it! Your handle says “burned out teacher” - are you working summers? Could you spread your load so you take one or two classes during the school year and then two over the summer session? Some classes really require you to immerse yourself and some topics are best taken concurrently with another class so it seems like carving time out of your year (summer) to stop working and focus on the more difficult/lab heavy courses done would pay off.
Hi CaMom. I teach for an Internet charter school, so I can work from home. It’s great for taking classes. Thank you for the encouragement and words of wisdom. It’s greatly appreciated!
@burnedoutteacher - my sister got her MD at 40. When she was interviewed for an article about older grad students she said “I figured in 8 years I could be 40 years old and a new doctor … or be 40 years old and not be a doctor”. She chose the former. Good luck and go get 'em. I think engineers are some of the happiest people I know because they actually use their whole education (and then some) in the workplace and they like what they do.
Very doable. I have worked full time (actually more than full time with ot) and taken one class. Even with a family, it was quite doable. Two classes with a flexible work schedule would work.
Kind of like preaching to the choir, you being a teacher, but, time management and staying on top and up to date with your classes would be key. I had Times where family and work commitments came up big time when I should have been studying for a final. Had to blow off studying and rely on the fact that I was up to date and knew the subject already. Got A’s both times it happened.
Go for your dream.