The Unfortunate Similarities Between Part-time Graduate School And Undergraduate School

There's a good chance you end up passed out like these guys, but for completely different reasons.

Two years ago as I was going through the whole rigmarole of applying to graduate schools to pursue an MBA, I couldn’t help but reminisce on my time as an undergraduate. As is probably the case with a lot people, I LOVED my time as an undergraduate. As the application process continued and it came time to make a decision on a school, I couldn’t help but think about how different graduate school was going to be compared to the undergraduate years especially since my primary priority was and still is a full-time job I attend 5 days a week. So, two years later as I get closer to achieving an MBA I've had some time to reflect and noticed some odd similarities between part-time graduate school and my time as an undergraduate. Unfortunately, the reasons for the similarities couldn’t be further apart which most graduate students will understand. If you can relate with these similarities just know that you're not alone and misery loves company:

·         The Assessment Test – So maybe this first similarity isn’t so different after all. The GMAT is exactly like the SAT and ACT, an assessment that will test you on information you will never likely apply in graduate school or life again. But take it seriously. Just like the scores for the SAT and ACT, the GMAT is important to schools.

·         You’re Still Poor – Don’t think you’re in the clear from eating Ramen Noodles just yet. Unfortunately, you won’t be opting for this college staple or food of similar value because you’re stretching some dollars into beer money, a night out on the town or that spring break trip everyone’s been talking about for months. No, you’ll be eating on a limited budget due to rent, insurance, bills, car maintenance and probably some student debt if you’re not lucky enough to have your company sponsor your grad school. A little something called Life.

·         You’re Tired – There are various reasons that cause weariness when you’re pursuing an undergraduate degree. Maybe you had an all nighter at the library, maybe you had too good of a time at the dive bar downtown and didn’t make it in until the wee hours of the morning or dare I say maybe you’re tired because you’ve slept too much lately. Well, being tired in grad school can be attributed to one thing; your twelve plus hour day consisting of a full time job and class afterwards. Working for the weekend takes on a whole new meaning with those days.

·         Time Management Issues – Fortunately in graduate school, the time management decisions are a little more clear cut than they used to be. The decision is easy; your time goes to work then school and then if there is any time between those two and sleeping, you do something you enjoy. Look on the bright side, those decisions now are much less stressful then having to make that difficult decision of skipping out on the afternoon pool session with your entire apartment complex because of you have a lab or skipping classes on a Friday because you decided the weekend started a night earlier this week.

If you’re reading this post and are currently working full time and working towards a graduate degree, I hope you can find the humor in it especially as many times you are reminded how different the graduate school experience is. And if you’re thinking about graduate school and reading this, don’t let it scare you. Just don’t expect to compare your experience to your undergraduate. I think most who have received a graduate degree will tell you it’s worth every minute. After all is said and done, you will appreciate the time you spent earning a graduate degree.