Back to School

Scott and I went to the ND-Michigan game this weekend and had a great time, despite the drizzling and cloudy weather and the tough ND loss (well, Scott didn't mind the final score much since he is a Michigan fan... I know, it's tough.)  We got to see some of my ND friends and their families, as well as go out to the bars college-style.  Thanks to my sister for letting us stay at her apartment!  It was so much fun to spend time with her.  I felt super-cool, treating her and her friends to pizza and some much-appreciated "hostess gifts"... which was good considering my sister introduced me with the comment "She's married!"  That might be true, but I still know what college kids want!

Being back at my alma mater made me miss those times in college when my friends and I would congregate, get ready for the night and head out for fun, then debrief the next morning and laugh about all the crazy times we had.  I think I was trying to relive the college days last night, and now I realize that I am a little too old for drinking too much and staying out too late.  It's Sunday night, I am just starting to be truly productive, and I have some homework to do.

That's right... homework.  I'm going back to school for a Masters in Writing and Publishing.  Last week was my first week, and I am really excited for my two classes.  It's not college though...  These days, I have something called a full-time job too.  A lot of my friends have juggled working full-time, going to school, and having some kind of social/personal life.  I know it's possible, but I also realize that it requires balance and prioritizing.  There are some things I am willing to give up and others that I refuse cut out.  I still want to see my friends, get enough sleep and spend time with my husband.  Going back to school will be a challenge, not just academically but also in finding time for what I need to do and want to do, in achieving a satisfying balance, in keeping my sanity.

Thankfully, I have plenty of support and some great role models.  For those of you who are balancing school, work and your personal life, how do you do it?  What advice do you have for someone like me, entering into this exciting but busy time?  What have you learned?  I'm all ears.

And now, I need to get back to my reading!

My reading list for one class.  Even for an avid reader like me,
the amount of reading required over ten weeks is a little intimidating!