One more semester down, one to go. And I have great news! Well little background first. (In case I've forgotten to mention)
I have a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and am now working on my Masters in Mathematics. A lot of things overlap, but there's a few things I am missing, aka 3 prerequisite classes from the Math department. Unfortunately, the math department failed to tell me this when then sent my acceptance letter. But from talking with my adviser I found out I'm missing the 3 classes. And those 3 classes can't count towards the master's degree. So really, my degree needed to take an extra semester, and it usually takes a math major 2 years. Somehow I had the marvelous plan to finish in 1 year. My adviser and the graduate school agreed if I got A or B in the classes that required the prerequisites, they would wave the 3 classes I was missing. The husband wants to start his next fall and so I wanted to be done. Well, I was told I can do that but essentially I'm crazy. I had multiple people at the school tell me it would be a lot of work, I'd never see my husband, I wouldn't sleep and probably would go insane.
But my family was completely opposite. They told me that if I wanted to do it, I could do it. They had faith in me. Plus the husband is an extra great guy and fully supported me in whatever decision I made. So I went for it, I registered for 15 credit hours and started this fall. (9 credit hours is full time for grad school). My adviser would ask every so often how things were going, and they went well. Not as much stress as everyone scared it out to be. I wasn't any more busy than when I was an undergraduate. (oh I was also teaching 2 college algebra classes at this time too) I did a lot of school work at school. When I came home it was time spent with my husband, teaching piano, or youth activities. I every so often did hw on the weekends, but usually only when I had a take home exam. School was for school work and home was for home life. (lesson learned... be productive with your time) Every once in a while, like the week before finals, I got a little stressed because everything seemed to come at once. But that's normal for school. For having 5 graduate classes, things went smoothly in my mind.
And now for the exciting part..... are you ready....
GRADES ARE IN! Finally, all my grades have been posted, and the exciting part..... I got good grades! Actually excellent grades, better grades then some semesters as an undergraduate. And the most exciting part. The 2 classes I needed the best grades in to waive my prerequisites ..... A and A-!!!!!! What a relief. Because of this, I will be graduating in May with my Masters Degree. And I will be finishing in 1 year. 2 semesters of 15 credit hours and 1 summer class. I'm so glad that I decided to do it this way. And so grateful for all the family and friends that supported me through it all.
Now, I have to tell you the reason why I was able to do this. It's not because I'm some super smart human. It's not because math grad classes are easy (some are way complicated to understand) I'll let you on a little secret. It's Heavenly Father. He's the reason I made it through. It's because of Him I got these grades. When I decided that I was going to push and get it done in a year, I essentially made a plan with Heavenly Father. I asked for His help. I knew if I did everything that I was supposed to do and served in my church callings. While I studied and did school, Heavenly Father would help me and make up the rest where I didn't completely reach it. I serve the Youth in my church. Teach Sunday lessons and go to activities every Wednesday. We also have some weekend trips. I am also a Ward Missionary. I go out with the missionaries to visit people and teach them. I was able to go out a lot more this semester and share my testimony with others. I also teach piano lessons to 4 amazing little girls and 1 fabulous Young women every week. Teaching them to share their talents with others. I'm pretty busy woman when you start to put it on paper. But I made it through this semester and am going to make it through next semester with the help of my Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge I have. I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father helping me make it through grad school. I know that He wants to help you to, whatever your "grad school" may be. It just takes faith. One day while driving I had this thought. "If I don't gain anything else out of grad school except an increase in my faith, that's okay" I've learned to have more faith. I've felt the comforting spirit more. And I know what I'm doing in right and will bless me someday.
