To go or not to go?

I think it basically boils down to do you want to be practical (let your job pay for your student loans, don't get into more debt, what IF it doesn't work out) or do you want to follow your heart.  In the end, only you know what is right for you.  Some people are more practical by nature, some people are more emotional.  I am emotional- I wouldn't care if it cost the moon I would go for what my heart told me.  Which is what I did, and it worked out wonderfully for me.  There have been problems along the way (including separation, financial, etc), but we have dealt with them and continue to deal with them together, which is what matters the most to me.  You can take everyone's opinions and at the end of the day it really won't matter- you need to do what is right for you.  Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

AnneG:

Can you tell me what school you attended and what program (major) it was? I would love to know more to make sure I don't set myself up for something I cannot handle.  I realize it will be real work, I currently have friends that have done their masters or are doing it now while working. I just want to know what made it so difficult you had to cut down?  So much reading or was it too many papers? Thank you so much for your help!

I'm at the University of London (the Institute of Education, specifically, but in the Univ. of London family) and I'm doing psychology. I chose the school largely for it's reputation with the hope that it would get my foot in more doors when I do finish, 'cause I'll need to make as much as possible to pay it all back! LOL.

I had to cut down mostly because I couldn't keep borrowing that sort of money. To qualify with the British Psych. Society I had to do a one year "conversion course" because my US degree wasn't recognized by them as a professional governing body, so with that AND a year on a Master's course as an international student I was looking at about $70K or so. Because I married a Brit after my first year I was able to sneak around paying international fees by going part-time....

But to be honest, now that I'm doing my Master's part-time I'm extraordinarily glad I'm not full-time because of the work load. Last year I had 9 papers due on the same day at the end of the year - this year I would have had 8 plus my disertation. Going part-time I've only got 5 papers this year, and 3 plus a disertation next year. If I wasn't working maybe I could have done it, but my dh and I can't quite make ends meet on one salary....

That is definitely one of my questions when I visit the Uni next week - what is the course load like since it's only a year? 9 papers plus a dissertation sounds like a nightmare!

I will get the downlow on my future possible workload next week. I am hoping to be able to work 10-15hrs a week. It would be nice to work more, but I know school will come first.

I juggled a lot in college undergrad, but I understand this may mean a whole new level of time management. Thank you for sharing your experience.