College is making me tired...

[Kenyth]

Well, the first two classes are done. In the middle of a third, and starting a fourth in a week. Only four and a half classes to go until the end of the semester! I suppose it's not the best sign that I'm tired already, eh? I love the fact that I'll be done by the beginning of 2010 taking night classes, but the pace is relentless! I'm reading books on lunch hours, breaks, while visiting relatives, etc. I'm always writing a research paper of some sort or another. My favorite place to write them is on the back porch with a laptop, while smoking a cigar and having coffee. I spend 8 hours a week in classes and probably 8-10 hours a week on study and homework.

It's paying off. I got an "A" in the first two classes. Now that I've set a precedent, I've got to keep it up, right? The thing that bugs me is that I'm making sure to get 6-7 hours of sleep a night, but I'm still tired. I guess old age is sapping my vitality, eh? Coffee is starting to lose it's effectiveness.

I don't want to complain. I'm damn lucky to have the opportunity to go at my age, and between my GI bill and employer tuition reimbursement, it's pretty much completely free! Many people would give their right arm for an opportunity like this. So, I'm happy, but still tired.

[ashauler]

Old dogs can learn new tricks eh?

All kidding aside.....I would not have near enough discipline to do what you are doing. Kudos to you and your dedication. Congratulations on the A's my man!! I'm sure they won't be the last ones.

[logan37]

Awesome Ken and good for you. Keep up the good work. Maybe if you get all A's, you'll recieve a graduation gift...

I do feel your pain. I just finished(well almost finished, 2 classes short) my second degree this past summer. I'm 28 and it was tough going back to school at 27. I did it for a career change because my last job sucked and I have always dabbled with graphic design for fun. Are you in the same boat, with a career change? If so, what career are you working towards?

Best of luck and keep at it. It will all pay off in the end.

[basil]

Good for you - getting the degree and not being intimidated by the "traditional student" thinking that says your too old. I did mine like you, in my late 30s and early forties, at two classes at a time, and sometimes it was just insane. On the coffee thing, you're right - it's probably not having the same effect. I know, "coffee and its effects", right? WTF some might say, but when you've strapped yourself into the commitment and mentality required to finish something like this, these little things can be BFDs sometimes. Back to the coffee - you in all probability have reached (and have gone past) a point of diminishing return. When I would do this (and still do occasionally) I'm always amazed at how rested I feel about two weeks after just saying no to caffeine. The kicker is, is that if/when you have your next cup, it will be everything you had dreamed it would be and more. Seriously I would grab quads at S'bux and when I would go back to that after a coffee hiatus, holy shit.

Anyways, hang in there and best of luck!

[mrtr33]

Congrats.

I finished my second degree last May. The discipline was tough to begin with, but after a while, your driving force is the motivation to finish what you've started.

Good luck.

[Kenyth]

Thanks guys! It will feel really good getting that degree in 2010. My lack of a four year degree has been a sore spot my whole career. I'm not changing careers. I just need it to be able to move up. It also makes me much more competetive. Not a bad thing in our current economic climate.

[Cabaiguan Juan]

Aww cry me a river! College is the best time of your life...oh, your going back for a degree? Yeah, well then i can sympathize. Congradulations on selfishly giving up all of your remaining free-time for the betterment of your family and yourself. My wife is almost done after 3 years of night school for her mba, and it has shown me that i do not have the desire to spend those hours, as much as i admire her for her sacrafice.

[ggiese]

Aww cry me a river! College is the best time of your life...oh, your going back for a degree? Yeah, well then i can sympathize. Congradulations on selfishly giving up all of your remaining free-time for the betterment of your family and yourself. My wife is almost done after 3 years of night school for her mba, and it has shown me that i do not have the desire to spend those hours, as much as i admire her for her sacrafice.

What was your degree in?

[Cabaiguan Juan]

What was your degree in?

My degree was in Civil Engineering. My wife has been slugging through her 2nd degree while working a demanding job so i think i have some insight to how college can run your ass ragged. Keep at it Kenyth, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Kenyth]

Well, ceramics and big honking cigar ash trays may not be in the cards for me. That class requires lab/shop time during restricted hours to do your homework. I don't think I'll subject my wife to yet another night alone every week. I think I'm stuck with classes that allow homework you can take home.

[here'sjohnny]

Kenyth, try checking out your course catalogue, and run a degree audit for yourself online (if your school has that, if not you can get them at your advisor's office), because i know sometime a fine arts credit will allow you to take an industrial art class to meet that requirement. I think it's usually like intro to AutoCADD or even or something along those line. That would be better than some stupid poetry class nonsense.