Formal Post Bac school/work/life balance

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mferronibc

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Hi Everyone,
I know it is probably tough to generalize this and everyone's situation varies, but I just wanted to try to get a sense of just how much time and energy a structured post-bac program involves and if people still found the time to work part time and enjoy a bit of a social life. I plan on starting a program in the fall, and really have no idea as far as how demanding it will be and if i will be able to still work part time to make some rent money, etc. If you have time, just give me a sense of what your lifestyle is/was like when you went through the program and any tips you may have to maximize your time.

Thanks for the input,
Matt
 
This is interesting, I would like to know as well. I know someone lurking around here have that experience.
 
mferronibc said:
Hi Everyone,
I know it is probably tough to generalize this and everyone's situation varies, but I just wanted to try to get a sense of just how much time and energy a structured post-bac program involves and if people still found the time to work part time and enjoy a bit of a social life. I plan on starting a program in the fall, and really have no idea as far as how demanding it will be and if i will be able to still work part time to make some rent money, etc. If you have time, just give me a sense of what your lifestyle is/was like when you went through the program and any tips you may have to maximize your time.

Thanks for the input,
Matt
Click to expand...

I think it's pretty difficult to do a formal post-bacc AND work part-time AND have a social life. It's a lot like being in undergrad so the hw and studying will take some time but you'll still have time to hang out with friends on the weekends for a little while and make a random trip to the bar in the middle of the week a couple times a month. I also had time for ECs...some people played IM sports and I joined a robotics club. My post-bacc program discouraged us from having a job during classes, unless we had a relatively light load and the work was in a research lab or something that would help our application (and even that was not as desirable as working for independent study credit or volunteering).

I liked to think of my post-bacc experience as a full-time job. So, I'd spend 40-50 hours a week going to class, studying, doing research, etc. The rest of the time I had fun and spent time with my bf and family. You can always study more so you have to make sure to know when to cap it...otherwise post-bacc could be a miserable, stressful experience.
 
Great, thanks for the information. Where did you do your post-bac?
 
I know Boston has some pretty cool opportunities through their website, so that makes me think that if structure and use your time well, you can delve in other things. But I know personally, I need to be careful...taking 18 hours of chemistry, being in 3 clubs/organizations, and working, and stalking (i mean dating!) my now husband is probably why i need a post bacc in the first place!! 😛
 
mferronibc said:
Hi Everyone,
I know it is probably tough to generalize this and everyone's situation varies, but I just wanted to try to get a sense of just how much time and energy a structured post-bac program involves and if people still found the time to work part time and enjoy a bit of a social life. I plan on starting a program in the fall, and really have no idea as far as how demanding it will be and if i will be able to still work part time to make some rent money, etc. If you have time, just give me a sense of what your lifestyle is/was like when you went through the program and any tips you may have to maximize your time.

Thanks for the input,
Matt
Click to expand...

In my opinion, its a pretty tough life to manage. I work 50+ hours a week, go to school @ night, and do an internship on the weekend. O yah... My wife and I are expecting our first child in August... so this will more than likely make things a bit more complicated but awesome at the same time 🙂. But its totally do-able. My best advice to you is to get into a set schedule with everything: Studying, Excersise, Time with your spouse... and stick to it. Time management is key. Go for it! Its all worth it in the end when you get that acceptance to the school of your choice and finally become a Dr.
 
mferronibc said:
Hi Everyone,
If you have time, just give me a sense of what your lifestyle is/was like when you went through the program and any tips you may have to maximize your time.
Click to expand...

It's all totally do-able! I started this past Spring sem taking 4 classes + bio lab at Umass Boston while taking an EMT-B class at Northeastern (9 hours/wk-12 wks). I have two kids (2.5 & 1), working wife, mortgage and all the regular life stuff a 35 year old has. I got a 3.68 with an A in BioI, and am challenging the EMT exam in a month. I found a rhythm to the semester pretty quickly (you will too) and life continued pretty much as normal. Some nights I had to study more than others, some nights I was at lab until 9pm, but on the whole you'll be amazed at how much time you can find when you need to: bus, T, 15-20 minutes waiting for an appointment or friends.

I just started a full-time research coordinator position at Children's Boston and will start the Harvard Extension program with ChemI and BioII in the fall--classes 6-9 basically every evening. It's hard but the commitment is, in all reality, no more time consuming than a full-time job. Of course along WITH a full-time job it's trickier, but time management is key...exactly what "Chan" said: TIME MANAGEMENT. No one likes to do it (I hate the **** myself), to be slave to the routine, but it in fact totally liberates your life because when you do kickback you do so without guilt. While you do have to be dedicated, you do NOT have to kill yourself and you NEED to carve out time each day for study AND for relaxation.

(the following assumes you are of average intelligence):

1. Come out of the blocks fast. Get ahead in reading and problemsets before they hit.
2. Study between 1 and 2 hours a day (yes only)...but everyday!
3. A chapter (or half chapter) a day and outline concepts.
4. Read to understand (science is about concepts first, facts second--know the concepts, and the facts have context).
(2,3,&4 make exams a snap)
5. Find partners who have learning styles and goals sympathetic with your own.
6. realize that your energy will ebb and flow throughout the semester and staying ahead is what carries you when you don't give a **** about the tertiary structure of a protein.
7. Pace yourself and get the grades you're there to get--maintain perspective.
8. STAY AWAY FROM SDN. I swore off of SDN for a few months and actually realized that other humans exist who are not neurotic pre-med nuttos obsessed with a web forum. Folks, go run, swim, bike...something (in all fairness it's the pre-allo that are gonzo).

If I can do it while still pulling "daddy duty", believe me (no really, do believe me) anyone can. Now, if you're in your twenties, single, not working and can't do it...it's time to go to law school.

ockhamsRzr
 
It is absolutely possible to be a part of a structured post-bac program and maintain some semblance of a normal life. I started my post-bac at Loyola in Chicago in January of 2004, and during the time I've been in the program, I helped plan my wedding and got married :wow:, worked at least 20-30 hours a week, and managed to keep up with friends while working on my studies. I just got my MCAT scores last night, and got a 36 (12s on each), and I've maintained a 3.5 gpa in the post-bac program. On top of all of that, I've still had plenty of time to relax with my wife, and waste as much time as possible watching season one of Scrubs on DVD.

In my opinion, I would strongly urge anyone considering post-bac work to enroll in a structured program. I think it's the best way to keep things organized, and also offers the benefits of some pre-med advising. Plus, at least at Loyola, only post-bacs who are officially part of the post-bac program are eligible for the pre-med committee letter, and that alone is worth all of the time and money.

Good luck to everyone who's applying right now, and to all the new post-bacs starting out - congrats on making the decision to do it!
 
mferronibc said:
Hi Everyone,
I know it is probably tough to generalize this and everyone's situation varies, but I just wanted to try to get a sense of just how much time and energy a structured post-bac program involves and if people still found the time to work part time and enjoy a bit of a social life. I plan on starting a program in the fall, and really have no idea as far as how demanding it will be and if i will be able to still work part time to make some rent money, etc. If you have time, just give me a sense of what your lifestyle is/was like when you went through the program and any tips you may have to maximize your time.

Thanks for the input,
Matt
Click to expand...

My postbac was somewhat formal but not structured but I'll still throw my 2 cents in. I suspect that the biggest part of the answer depends on how good you are in the sciences. In every class I have been in, there are a few people who can whip through a few problems and be ready for the exam, while there are others who need every free minute of every day to do well. If you are the former, sure, you can work and have a social life. If the latter, you get neither. If you are someplace in between, you can probably have a little of one or the other but maybe not both.
 
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