To continue to study, or not to study? HELP!

[daenvgiell]

So here's my dilemma. I've just finished my undergraduate course, and I have now gone into a masters of teaching, however I'm not entirely sure if I want to be doing it anymore. It may provide me with a good back up plan, but now I'm not so sure I even want it. I will have to study for another year and a half which isn't long, but I'm having trouble feeling motivated. I did my undergrad in dance, and therefore am currently enrolled in learning to be a teacher of dance in high schools, but I don't think I want to deal with all the syllabus and lesson plans and having to break down and understand every minute thing. This all looks likes its in the direction of I should drop out.

What are your thoughts?

[Guest]

If you have the means to go for post graduate education, you should go for it.

I went to have my masters not because I need it for a job... I went to have it done because it keeps my mind sharp and just in case I would need it later.

I got my Bachelor's degree 20 years ago. I would have proceeded to complete my masters but personal issues arose which prevented me from doing so. I finally got to it 2 years ago and I tell you - it is hard. Once you stop schooling, it is VERY HARD to get back to it, especially when you have kids and all that stuff. It is better to continue on while you are still in the "student phase".

Don't limit yourself. If you don't like the master's program you are currently in - then maybe all you need to do is study something you really are interested in.

[JudoMinja]

Only you can decide whether or not this direction is for you. Generally, completeing any education is a good idea, even if we do not see ourselves making immediate use out of it, because it makes for a great back-up plan. You will never find yourself wishing you had not completed your education, though you may sometime down the line wish you HAD.

That being said, if you are sure you do not see yourself wanting to go this route, there is nothing wrong with a change in direction. If you want to teach dance in high school, there are other ways to go about it. You do not have to have a masters in teaching in most states. As long as you have a Bachelor's in something, you can then get a "teaching certificate", which takes about a year, and go ahead and teach.

Think about all the parameters in your decision, especially any immediate sacrifices you may have to make. Since you've already started to pursue your masters I would think this is something you can afford to handle at this time in your life, so money matters might not be a concern. In the future though, if you drop this, do you think you may wish to go back to it? That may require even more sacrifice on your part, as you may end up having to retake some classes or may have to look for more funding options. Then, if you stick with it now and you simply have no motivation for it, you may end up bombing your classes and lose-out because you have to retake them anyway.

Weigh your costs and benefits of either route, both immediate and future, and make your decision from there.

[classylady]

Daenvgiell, this is a hard one. I don't know if you're just burned out from completing your undergraduate degree, and only need a short break before continuing on, or if you truly feel the field you are currently studying is not the direction you want to go. On your profile it says you're from Australia, so I don't know how the education system works over there. Is it possible to be readmitted if you take a semester off? Is it possible to change your field of study? Look at your options, and do some hard thinking.

[dahlia]

Let me give you some bad news - schools have been defunding the arts for years - art, music, dance are all falling by the wayside. I'm not sure I see the value in a masters degree in dance education, especially if you are using loans to pay for it.

You could be burned out by doing the BA and masters so close together; maybe you can take a leave of absence, work for a while, and then go back. Don't just drop out - take an official leave.

Or, you could be disinterested in your field. That happens. Maybe during spring break you can take some time to think if you are still interested or if you need to change degrees or just leave, period. I don't think all graduate degrees are equal (I have 2 masters and a PhD, on top of my JD. I know about school!). I certainly wouldn't get a grad degree in a field with such limited job opportunities. It won't hurt you to work for a while until you figure out where your passion lies.

[Guest mormonmusic]

As a full-time educator, from what you're telling me I would NOT continue with the Masters in Education if it means you will teach dance. The primary reason is your statement that you don't want to have to be making lesson plans and breaking down everything you do into the basic units and steps it takes to get there.

That is at the heart of teaching, and if you don't get a charge out of it, it means you're spending thousands to do something that will sap the energy out of you. Personally, I get a real charge out of making the complex simple. If I find something that is unstructured, complex and needing dissection into its essence so it's understandable, I'm enthusiastic and tackle it with zest most of the time. I quote often Einstein who said "True genius is found in taking something complex and making it simple" and feel very proud when I'm able to do that in the context of complex subjects like accounting and otherwise.

So, if I was you, I'd avoid teaching dance, and teaching in general if you don't get a kick out of going beyond simply being able to do complex things yourself, and making them digestible for the beginniner.

[pam]

Let me give you some bad news - schools have been defunding the arts for years - art, music, dance are all falling by the wayside. I'm not sure I see the value in a masters degree in dance education, especially if you are using loans to pay for it.

My question would be..does this apply in Australia as well? Since that is where you are.