Why I Went Back to Graduate School

Usually at this time of year things are very different around here. There’s no holiday home tour up at the beginning of December {it’s more like early January when decorations get showcased}. There’s no how-to posts on the latest craft and there’s certainly less progress on the various projects we have going on.

For the past two fall seasons, not much of that happened at all. Sometimes life just gets too busy for blogging. It may look festive and seasonal around here, but usually I’m not doing much crafting or decorating at all. Why? You might ask. Well, it was for a very important reason.

It’s because I went back to graduate school.

Since late August 2011 and for every semester since {besides the summer}, I’ve been a book-reading, paper-writing, class-going college student. Many of you might know that I’ve been pursuing my Ph.D. It’s a ton of hours and tons of dedication. It’s a marathon, not a sprint as they say. Many nights, instead of crafting or blogging, I’d be writing papers and reading articles, preparing for class. And you might have thought I was cooking, sewing, painting or drilling some furniture together.

Not so much.

But things this fall are different. Thankfully, this spring I finished all my coursework, which means I’m physically done attending classes. Currently I’m writing my dissertation, which will take about a year and a half, if I’m lucky and quick. Marathon, remember?

Why would I choose to spend years on end sitting in class, writing and reading and researching as much as I have?

Why would I give up spending time with family and on my hobbies and at the gym?

Why would I have intellectual discussions on philosophy and education and social justice for hours on end, talking about topics most people would be bored to tears with?

I know people have different opinions about going back to school or changing careers. My reason for sacrificing is easy.

Education is the most important things you can do for yourself, and it’s made such a difference in my life. I’ve met so many people from around the world, have had the chance to travel, improve my writing and speaking, not to mention the career opportunities I hope will come with my Ph.D.

I love the fact that one day I get to make something beautiful for my home and another I get to use my brain in a different kind of way through my graduate program.

Going back to school {for both my Masters degree and Ph.D.} is an investment. In me, my family and my future. And when I’m out there in the world going for it I want to be the best version of myself I can. That is why I went back to graduate school.

So occasionally on my bookshelves you’ll see binders and books, not home decor magazines and paint chips. In my office, sometimes there’s piles of journals and highlighters, not remnants of my craft projects. I know that each person we meet in life has a story. My story is that I’m both a career professional, a DIY blogger and for a little while longer, a graduate student.

One day I’ll be finished with my dissertation and I’ll graduate. Until then, sometimes I’m in a meeting or doing a presentation, and others I’m writing a paper and researching online. But I know this is all for a good reason. And I know it will pay off.

And now that I’m writing my dissertation on my own and am finished with classes, I get more time to do more of what I love around here. Make my home a beautiful, comfortable place for people I love. Even if the dressers are piled with books.

Right beneath the paint chips 🙂

Now maybe you feel like you know a little bit more about me and what I do in between all the DIY!

Have you ever thought about going back to school?

Do you think you would be able to balance a job, school, and other obligations?

Do you have any questions for me about being in graduate school? I’d love to answer them.