NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

So a few months ago, FH and I started discussing my career. I've been in corporate america since I graduated college, and I'm pretty much wiped out. Also, there's really no work-life balance, and FH and I want a family. I thought it over and decided to go back to school to become a math teacher, (I was always a math geek). The plan was for me to stop working after the wedding and go back to school full-time. I decided to get a head start on things and registered for one class this semester.

Well here I am two months into the semester and I am miserable. I don't know if it's because I have a lot going on on top of just this one class (full time job, the wedding being around the corner and we just gutted the apartment we are going to live in). No matter what this class is always in the back of my mind and I can never calm down, it's constantly making me anxious.

Thinking this through completely I realized that I would have to go back to school for a lot longer than I ever imagined. I have class tonight and if I the thought of never having to go back takes so much weight off my shoulders. I barely passed our first exam (and I was always an A student) and we have 2 more exams before the final. In between all of that I have my bachelorette party to Puerto Rico and weekends renovating.

I'm so confused right now, I have never given up on anything as hard as it has been, and I feel like a failure if I give up now. Any advise? What would you do in my shoes?

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

i don't think you would be a failure. if it isn't right for you, than you shouldn't do it. is obviously is taking more effort to make it work for you and you shouldn't have that kind of stress when you are taking steps to do something you 'want to do.' i think you need to REALLY think about if this is what you want. its not about being a failure, its about doing whats right for you. if going back to school and becoming a teacher doesn't feel right, than you need to take the right steps to the right thing for you. good luck!

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

I was in your shoes last fall. I went back to school and was so stressed out by it that I decided that I couldn't take on the added responisblity. It was too much!!!. I also felt like a failure. I realized that my sanity was worth more than going to school. If school is not for you then it is not for you. I wish you luck in whatever you decide is righ for you!!

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

is being a math teacher your dream? if its not then do not take anymore classes. I waited to go to grad school til I was 30. It took me that long to figure out what I wanted to do.....one point it was going to be my MBA and another it was going to be my master in construction mmgt. If you are not completely into it then its going to be a waste. Maybe just wait a bot to see if this is just a phase or something you really want and then try the going back to school.

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

It sounds to me like you are just really overwhelmed right now, and that may be clouding your judgment. I am in a very similar situation on more than one account! I'm sending you FM!

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

You have FM

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

You're extremely overwhelmed, you have a lot on your mind, and there's a ton of stuff going on in your life. It's completely understandable that you're feeling you might not be able to do this. I'm in the same exact situation and I'm back in school for nursing. I feel just as anxious about school as you do... I'm always thinking about it, always wondering if I'm cut out to be a student again and, in the back of my mind, I often wonder if this was the right decision. I try to remind myself how my current career makes me feel (it makes me feel somewhat useless and like I could be doing something better for the world and for myself). I know that this takes a long time... it's a lot of sacrifice, a lot of hard work, and there will be times when you wonder if it's all worth it. Push yourself hard and remind yourself how and why you got here in the first place. Do you really want to quit this and resign yourself to a life in a job you're unhappy with? You have many more years until retirement. What about going to school part time and keeping your current job for a while. It will take twice as much time but will put less financial strain on you (if that's even a factor) and at least you'll feel like you're slowly but surely working towards something you're passionate about. You're definitely not alone

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

First off, congrats on having a great plan and going for it. I admire people for making career changes. So many people wish they can do it and never do because of fear or just for the sake of being comfortable.

I personally think that no matter what you do during this time of wedding planning, everything is going to feel like a hassle. I can totally relate to you in some ways right now- I feel overwhelmed at work right now. Even with school, family- everything. I think that no matter what you tackle during this time, it will be overwhelming. I would save the going back to school thing for after you get married. Things will be more settled then and you will be able to do it. You said you were always an A student. If you can't pull the A's now, I guarantee it's because you are trying to do all of this during the most stressful time of your life.

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

Anna,

I spent 10 long years in corporate america. I was successful in the aspect that I did really well at my job, but deep down I was miserable. At 27, I decided to go back to school part-time to become an elementary-school teacher. I go to Touro College which allows you to go to school on the weekends and at nights for 12 weeks at a time. Anyway, it was REALLY stressful because I was working long hours at work with added responsibility everytime I got a raise, and then I was studying and preparing for tests for school. I wanted to call it quits SO MANY TIMES, but now I am in my second year of teaching and GOD, I love it!!!!!!

I made the decision to change for the same reasons you are!! You definitely need to cut yourself a little slack. Not only are you going to school and working BUT you are also planning a wedding, so OF COURSE you are going to feel overwhelmed!! I say, if it's your true passion, then keep the faith and you will make it!!!!

Maybe you can just re-register after the wedding once everything is calm?

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

anyone will tell you that going to school (even for one class) and working full time is HARD!! i had to drop a class because i couldnt balance work and my family/social time.

i'm considering going back part time but not unitl i am 110% sure about what i want to do or if i am financially blessed to quit work and go back full time.

if i was you i would probably enroll full time like you planned and see how you feel then. it might be a completely different without work and the wedding out of the way,

good luck.

and DONT FEEL LIKE A FAILURE. look how far uve come.

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

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Posted by AHimar24

So a few months ago, FH and I started discussing my career. I've been in corporate america since I graduated college, and I'm pretty much wiped out. Also, there's really no work-life balance, and FH and I want a family. I thought it over and decided to go back to school to become a math teacher, (I was always a math geek). The plan was for me to stop working after the wedding and go back to school full-time. I decided to get a head start on things and registered for one class this semester.

Well here I am two months into the semester and I am miserable. I don't know if it's because I have a lot going on on top of just this one class (full time job, the wedding being around the corner and we just gutted the apartment we are going to live in). No matter what this class is always in the back of my mind and I can never calm down, it's constantly making me anxious.

Thinking this through completely I realized that I would have to go back to school for a lot longer than I ever imagined. I have class tonight and if I the thought of never having to go back takes so much weight off my shoulders. I barely passed our first exam (and I was always an A student) and we have 2 more exams before the final. In between all of that I have my bachelorette party to Puerto Rico and weekends renovating.

I'm so confused right now, I have never given up on anything as hard as it has been, and I feel like a failure if I give up now. Any advise? What would you do in my shoes?

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i wasnt exactly 'in your shoes' but I too made the decision to go back to school... and as hard as it was switching from the entertainment business to the education profession, it was the single best decision i ever made.

yeah school was hard... i went for two whole years including summers and winters... but it was worth it.

i say if youre miserable already, its only going to get worse... do something now to get yourself out of the rut you seem to be falling into.

i thought about quitting many times... especially in the last semester, but i stuck with it ,and i couldn't be happier.

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

You girls are all WONDERFUL!!! I really thought I was just going to quit and that was the end of it. After speaking with some of you, and listening to all of you advise, I think I am going to stop school for now, and hopefully make it through the next part of the fellowship program.

I was taking two different approaches of becoming a math teacher, I applied for the fellowship program, and I was going the route of becoming certified on my own. I found out today that I passed the first part of the selection process and have been selected to go on an interview. So I think I will put school aside for now, and next year (Hopefully) I can start fresh.

Thanks again

Re: NWR: Need advise . . . warning really LONG

You will do great on the interview!!!

The Fellows is an amazing opportunity to change careers into teaching!