A Heavy Load Indeed

Carlos is almost one month in to his current semester and already he is feeling overwhelmed. He takes two classes at a community college and works upwards of 60 hours per week. Next week he'll be clocking in at 6 days instead of his average 5. I feel bad for him because he comes home exhausted from being on his feet all day, he can't take some time out during his day to study and he goes to bed really late after studying all night.

I remember the work-school dilemma very well. Back in 2005, I started a graduate program in Writing, Literature and Publishing at a local college. I was working full time and attending classes at night. Each class met once a week for 4 hours. By the time I got home, my mind would be buzzing from the days' activity and brand new information. I had to start taking melatonin supplements so I could go to sleep.  I didn't work 60 hours but I did work a regular 9-5 Monday-Friday schedule with significant commuting time. It was a lot to handle. See that picture on the left? That was my first semesters reading load. The only book I didn't have to read cover-to-cover was that fat Chicago Manual of Style towards the bottom of the stack.

How did I manage to survive graduate school? I'm still not 100% sure. During that time I was in a car accident, developed an ulcer from all the coffee I drank and gained a few other health problems because of all the stress. I fit in homework where I could. I did a lot of writing during my lunch breaks. I read whenever and wherever I could: on the T, in bed, at the library and even on the toilet. I made it out of school with all As, a diploma, a gaggle of new friends and regret. I don't think I really needed a graduate degree. It didn't do much for me career-wise but it is another notch on the belt of life. No one can say I'm just some typical underprivileged Latina with too-tight pants and too many pregnancies. I have a Master's!

So what's the solution for Carlos? I think his free time is very precious and he needs to manage it well in order to make it through the semester. Time management is tres difficile. I was never good at it. Fear of failure kept me in check. I hope Carlos can find something that works for him and I know I'm willing to help.