Thoughts from the Saddle: Grad School Reflections

Chillin' after class: VT Science Education Cohort 2007-2008

My graduate school experience is quickly coming to an end.

*attempting to control my excitement*

I'll finish my last classes in a couple of weeks and unofficially graduate mid-August. (Although technically, I believe I "graduated" in early May.) It's a natural time to look back. Let's do it in list format (the best kind of format, if you ask me).

Things I Liked About Grad School

• Cohort System: the VT science education program is set up so that all students entering at the same time take just about every class together. Part of this is simply that there is little variation on what classes the program requires and when they are scheduled. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate having familiar classmates. As reserved as I am, not having to get to know new faces each semester was a relief.
• Emphasis on Applicability: Jim, my program adviser, often explained to us that one goal of the program was to truly support the work that teachers do in the classroom. During the program, this sentiment translated into assignments and projects that had direct applicability to my classrooms: unit plans, lessons, activities, etc. By and large, I wrote very few research or educational philosophy papers. (The vast majority of the papers I've written have been reflections about the teaching profession and practice, which are quite helpful actually.)
• Mix of Online and Face-to-Face Classes: Personally, I can see the value in both kinds of classes and really I can enjoy both. But when I consider how different the program would have been if it had been totally one type or the other, I'm grateful that they mixed it up. (Trust me: Cali is grateful, too.)
• Short Duration: I began grad school last May and am finishing this August, a grand total of 14 months. That means I only had to take classes during ONE school year. (See below for my thoughts on balancing teaching and coursework.)
  

Things I Disliked About Grad School

• The Balancing Act: At moments during the program, I was going crazy trying to keep all the bowling pins I was juggling up in the air. Teaching, VT classes, homework, sponsoring the robotics team, keeping Cali happy, serving in the church, after school committees - at times I was only borderline insane. (Some might argue whether "borderline" is an appropriate adverb here.) The disturbing Law that I consciously avoid considering is the Second Law of Life: "Life never gets simpler. Entropy only increases."
  
• Virtual Flat Tire on the Bike Commute: While I anticipated a loosing a good bit of free time (read: bike time) during grad school, what I did not realize is how effectively it would prevent me from bike commuting. Between Robotics meetings on Thursday evenings and classes two nights a week, I had too much ground to cover in not enough time. That meant I got to know Rt. 7 from behind the steering wheel too well, much too well.
  

As you can see, the positives outweigh the negatives; overall, I think grad school has been a great experience. I definitely feel that I am a better teacher for having done it. Of course, the most convincing rewards won't arrive until the first paycheck of the new year does...

Update: Bonus Comic! Source: xkcd.com