I am in my second year as a graduate student in History. I am in my 40s, married, and have two kids.
I have always loved history. In the Summer of 2020, during the pandemic lockdowns, I read over 20 books in history, so of course, I thought that graduate school would be the same.
Well, I am here to tell you, it is not. I decided to take three classes my first semester of Grad school.
One thing I did not take into account is you are required to read a whole book a week, so that means, with three classes, three books a week, with a full time job and family.
Learning History at the graduate level is fun and exciting, but is also a horrendous amount of reading and the older you get the more responsibilities you have, which means a lot less time.
Before grad school, it would take me around two to three weeks to finish a book between 300 to 400 pages. Now I am required to read three in one weeks.
My advice, do NOT take three courses at a time if you have a full time job and family. After 1-year it has taken a toll on my family and energy level.
Take is slow and enjoy each semester without wearing yourself down.
