Story of my life.
Do you ever feel like sometimes you’re doing a little too much? So much has happened in the past few months that I have welcomed this little four week break from classes with open arms. In the year of 2012, there has been a whirlwind of changes for me…and the year isn’t even over yet. I started my IMC coursework in January and started a new job in March. In the midst of my summer courses, I’ve taken two vacations. One was to celebrate my wedding anniversary in Vegas and the other was my family vacation to the Bahamas. And then, during my last week of classes when my final paper is due…we move into a new house. As I said before, this break couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been able to work on getting the house together and learning my way around a suburb of Atlanta that is foreign to me.
During my time off from class, it’s been an adjustment coming home from work and not needing to read a few chapters or log on to read discussions. I just keep reminding myself, ‘Don’t get used to it. School starts again soon.’ Luckily, I have a constant reminder since this past weekend I went school shopping for the kids. They go back to school one week before I do.
Since we’ve moved, my commute to work is now about 15-20 minutes longer. Which means, I’ll be getting home 15-20 minutes later from work. I’m so anxious for the Fall session to start so I can figure out another adjustment to my already settled daily routine of balancing home and work.
In one of those random moments, my son said to me the other day, “Mom, you do a lot.” Without even asking him to clarify what he meant by that, I already knew what he was talking about. At the end of the day, I just hope he is able to look back at this chapter of our lives with me trying to balance it all, and see that pursuit of higher education is valuable no matter how old you are.
Do you feel like you’re doing a lot? How do you balance work, home and school?
WVU IMC Blog 
August 6, 2012 at 3:30 pm |
Hi Rukiya,
As someone who has a two-hour round trip to work each day, I definitely feel your pain when it comes to the commute. This degree is perfect for folks likes us who balance a heavy work/life load and need/want to complete our educational requirements on our own time.
I’ve had to give up a few of the usual indulgences to do so, but December will be here soon enough!
Good luck in the fall to everyone.
August 8, 2012 at 1:40 pm |
Ugg! Two hours? I can’t imagine. Now I know I really don’t need to be complaining. LOL! Good luck to you as well and congrats on being a few classes away from the finish line.
August 7, 2012 at 1:26 pm |
Wow Rukiya! You are a super woman. I can’t lie, reading your blog post gave me a little anxiety as I am hoping to start the IMC program this fall. It sounds like you have a great balance of allotting time each day to life and some school work! I hope to be able to quickly find that balance as well. It will certainly be a change from just having work & life to work, life, AND school! But if you can do it, then maybe I can do it too 🙂 And as for your sons, they’ll definitely remember. They may not know it or say it, but you are inspiring them to be a 110%.
August 8, 2012 at 1:39 pm |
Hi Jennifer! Meshing work, life AND school is definitely an adjustment, but I look at it as though it’s a new “normal”. I’m sure you’ll do just fine 🙂 Good luck with your classes and enjoy the ride!
August 11, 2012 at 1:11 am |
Wow what an inspiring blog Rukiya! I too am starting the program in the fall, I am currently looking for a new job, recently married and wanting to buy a house/start a family. I felt just as overwhelmed and thought, “Let’s just get the degree going and see how everything falls into place.” I am glad to know that you did this and survived. Gives hope to the rest of us!
Good luck in your next term!
August 13, 2012 at 1:41 pm |
Hi Jeannine! Congrats on your marriage and starting the IMC program. You’re already on the right track with your thinking. Everything does end up just falling into place. Go for it! Good luck to you as well.
August 18, 2012 at 4:23 am |
What a great blog Rukiya!!! Your blog not only highlights how you can manage school, work and family with ease, but also an inspiration to your son, as well as those of us either in the IMC program or entering it. I have to admit at times I have felt overwhelmed but take a deep breath, re-group and push onward.
I am currently an IMC student, I began my journey in the summer of 2011. I fly for a major airline on international routes and am away from home on the average of 18 to 22 days a month; additionally, I work to promote my husband’s books, and still make time to do fun things around the house/yard.
I found that one of the keys to success in the IMC program is organization and time-management. I was usually print the weekly lesson/assignments up ahead of time and have a binder organized by weeks. I also try to read a chapter or two in the assigned textbooks before the course begins. I try to do a lot of the classwork while on a layover thus leaving time for my husband when I am home.
I took the summer off and decided to only take 1 course each session this fall ( my daughter is getting married in February in California, so I am planning a long-distance wedding as well as making trips to California often on days off). Come spring I’ll most likely take 3 courses total… One other tip that I have found works well is to look at the weekly assignments and discussion topics in advance so I can get an idea of what lies ahead and plan my time accordingly.
Good luck to you this fall. What classes have you taken so far and which classes will you be taking in the Fall ’12?
Valerie Lee Ater
August 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm |
Hi Valerie,
I agree with you about printing the weekly lessons and assignments ahead of time. I’m a visual person so seeing what’s ahead is a great help to me so I can plan accordingly. So far I’ve taken IMC 610, 611, 612 and I’m taking 613 and 615 this fall. I’m keeping it simple and taking all my core courses in chronological order before I get to my electives. I’m weird like that. I plan on doubling up next summer to keep me on track to graduate Spring 2014. It all seems to be going fast, but I’m thankful I’m learning a lot. Good luck to you as well!
Rukiya