I know the answer should be finish as quickly as possible. However, I don't think I could let it go and would end up running myself into the ground trying to still achieve As even with the greater course load. It would end up equating to a very stressed out me and feeling like I was simply juggling too many balls in the air.
Yep. This is me exactly. I can’t give up that quest for perfection. And I actually know that probably doesn’t make me a smart person so y’all don’t need to come at me lol. I might say all breezily oh, I’ll just do it, pass and be done, but I know enough about me to know I don’t operate like that. It’s why I still wanted an A when I took my two pass/fail classes in college. I don’t have that chill. If OP doesn’t either she should just stay the course.
Post by jillybean222 on Sept 9, 2021 14:52:34 GMT -5
Yep, F the 4.0! I finished my master's with a 3.9 something (one A-, the rest A's) and nobody cared. I spent hours and hours outside of class when I could have done less and enjoyed life a bit more. I didn't have kids, nor was I married at the time so good for you doing all that at the same time!!!
I got my MS with a 4.0. And no one knows. It doesn't matter. It was just for me. So like a PP said, if you're truly OK with letting go of that point, then double up and get the degree faster.
How much do you really believe that you can give up the obsession with the 4.0? Everyone here can say it until we’re blue in the face AND you can know it at some level…but truly letting go is a different story.
As a fellow 4.0 student (who KNEW even then that it didn’t matter!), I’d worry that you’d have a hard time turning in work that is “close enough.” It just seems to be woven into my DNA. I don’t want to get A’s to impress others…I wanted them because I knew I was capable, and I expected to live up to *my* standards. So, in this situation, I’d want to do it faster and tell myself that I wasn’t going to care about the grades…but then I’d be up until 3AM writing papers and editing one more time. Because that’s just how I am, no matter how much I KNOW it doesn’t need to be that way.
So, if you truly believe that you can let go of the GPA and what’s most important to you is just to be DONE, then go for it! Personally, I’d take the slower route.
Yes! Personally, I really didn’t care about grades or GPA or professor opinions but I really had to do each project/assignment how I felt was the “correct” way and thoroughly. There is no way I could suddenly become someone who tried to do the bare minimum like many of my classmates did when I was in school. I know we all got the same degree but that really doesn’t make any difference to me.
I don’t think if you are a GPA (or content) focused student and are this far along in your career/education you are going to be able make the switch to just cruising through the classes. I could be wrong! But I don’t think it’s as easy as it sounds and it would suck to sign up for classes and put that stress on yourselves if it isn’t necessary.
I’m a professor—be honest with yourself about the time you have to devote to your coursework and decide if that time is sufficient for two classes (at the level you wish to participate).
I’ve done similar time calculus a few times—one time it was worth it (I got an Ed.S.) and another it wasn’t (I’m an EdD dropout). My students also try to do this calculus all the time. I currently have a student who works two jobs and is taking four classes (BA level)—they are severely over-extended and I wish they had taken fewer classes as we are 3 weeks in and they have already behind in my course. I will work with them (I do flexible due dates because COVID quarantines are killing me) but I can’t create more time in the semester for them. Those types of situations hurt me more than any—when I know a student is capable but out of time, I feel horrible for them.
If you think you can fit two classes into your life, do it. Try it for a semester and re-evaluate if needed. If you think you can’t, one class at a time is fine.
(Also, I have a 4.0 through my BS/MS/EdS/failed EdD. The only time anyone realized was when My school went up for accreditation and we all had to turn in transcripts and the data entry guy was like “Why?” Even my institution of higher education could care less.)
I just finished my Masters this past spring. I work full time and have two kids. I took one class at a time simply because that was literally all I had time for. (The added bonus was that one class at a time allowed me to really focus and maintain a 4.0 which didn’t matter at all to my job or anyone, but it felt great to me). One semester I decided to take 2 classes to “speed things up” and it damn near killed me. Work was crazy, two classes, two kids, activities, running a household etc, it was a lot. My quality of life sucked that semester and I decided I was much happier dragging it out with one class at a time. Forget the 4.0, just do what ever works for you, which honestly with everything else you have going on sounds like it might be one class at a time.
Post by chickadee77 on Sept 9, 2021 20:54:27 GMT -5
I don't even remember my master's GPA and have never been asked - simply that I completed is enough. Especially if you don't plan to go further, just finish it up. If you currently have a 4, it's not like you'll drop very significantly anyhow (is my guess and my experience after working in higher ed).
Now, if you were gung ho PhD, my response might be different.
Never once I have I asked a candidate what their GPA was. If they got the degree that’s good enough for me. Plus some people just test horribly and it’s not a reflection of their actual knowledge and skill.
I say do whatever gets you the degree the fastest without making you absolutely crazy.