Up Close and (un)Conventional #8 – Classes

Posted 18 September, 2014 by Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms in Discussion Posts / 21 Comments

Up Close and (un)Conventional

Up Close and (un)Conventional #8 – Classes

Welcome to this week’s Up Close and (un)Conventional. I am going to talk a little bit about my classes this week, because my long summer vacation is finally over, and classes started again this week. Last week, I got the news that I have completed my BA and got my degree in English language and literature and General Linguistics. I was totally happy-dancing, opening the champagne and celebrating that! It took me four years, but I did it!

So, now I’m starting my MA classes in English language and literature, and I am debating whether or not to start substitute teaching as well. Some you might already know that I used to be an accountant, but that I got so sick of the money involved – even in the NGO where I worked! – that I discussed things with Mr. Lex about quitting my job and going back to Uni so I could become a teacher instead. Lucky me, Mr. Lex was all for it, and we could also afford it, so off I went to Uni.

I am taking some linguistics classes and some literature classes this year, and next year I’ll have to write my MA thesis before I can start my pedagogy classes. Yeah, here in Switzerland, it takes almost as long to become a teacher as it does to become a doctor, but that’s all good. Hopefully, it means the kids get a good education, right? I’m really excited about my classes, and also proud of myself for actually getting my BA. I am no spring-chicken anymore at 43, so I was a little afraid my memory would not work the way it used to. Or that it would be too difficult to get back on the school bench and actually study πŸ™‚

At the same time, I have been doing evening classes for lots of different kinds of things while I was working too, so studying wasn’t completely unfamiliar, but studying full time certainly was. Now, though, I’m having the same kinds of worries about teaching. Will I be a good teacher? Will I enjoy it as much as I think I will? Are my colleagues going to be nice? You know, the kind of questions we ask ourselves every time there is a big change in our lives πŸ™‚

So yeah, this week was more personal than other Up Close and (un)Conventional posts, but I am so excited to be back in class that I just had to share it. And maybe also encourage others who are studying, or who would like to go back to school again.

Thanks for stopping by πŸ™‚ Have a terrific Thursday! Don’t forget to link up on Charlotte of Thoughts and PensThursdays with Luxa post if you have a discussion post this week as well.

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Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms

Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.

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21 responses to “Up Close and (un)Conventional #8 – Classes

  1. I studied psychology and I was always surprised how many students there where that where a bit older. We even had some really old students (some I guessed where around their 50-70) who still took classes. That just shows that everyone can study as long as they want to.
    Getting your BA is a great achievement and I hope your master classes go just as well. Whether you’ll enjoy teaching is something you probably wil only know when you actually have the job, but following your dreams is always worthwile and at the least your education will look nice on your cv ;).

    • Yeah, I’m by far not the oldest student in my classes, Lola πŸ™‚ The young students have been really great, though, and some have become really good friends.
      Yeah, it’s the fact that I’ll have to wait to know if I love teaching as much as the idea of it until I start that scares me a little bit πŸ™‚
      Thanks for stopping by, Lola.

  2. Lexxie, you’re going to be an incredible teacher!!! Teaching is what you’re passionate about so I just know you’ll be successful. You should be proud of yourself – I’m proud of you too! πŸ˜‰ And I’m awed and amazed at all you seem to be able to do. And what an example you’re setting for your children!

    Go take over the world, my dear!! BIG HUGS and LOVE!!

    • Thank you Brandee! I hope I’ll be a good teacher, and that I’ll love it πŸ™‚ Your compliments made me feel all warm and fuzzy πŸ˜€

  3. I think you’re going to be an great teacher Lexxie! The fact that you’re enjoying your classes shows that you love the content, and being a mom you’re already a teacher anyways! Now you’ll just have a few more students down the line πŸ˜‰

    I think it’s cool that it takes longer to become a teacher over there, I wish education was valued that way everywhere!! Oh and reading about your studies ALWAYS makes me miss being in Uni myself. I guess I’ll just have to live vicariously through your adventures xD Thanks for sharing hun ^^

    Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows recently posted: Harry Potter MotW #60
    • That’s sweet, Micheline, and true, too. Being a mother is also about teaching, but it’s not the same when it’s someone else’s kids.
      I do love studying, and it will be really strange when I finish all my papers and won’t ‘have to’ study anymore.
      Thanks for stopping by.

    • Yup, I’m 43 πŸ™‚ The other students already know me quite well by now, and they are really not caring that I’m older than them.
      Thanks for stopping by Kiran.

    • Several of my fellow students have other plans than becoming teachers. I think a language and literature degree can open a lot of doors πŸ™‚
      Thanks for stopping by, Rosa.

  4. Congratulations on your BA and on starting your MA! Wonderful!

    I loved being a substitute teacher and a long term substitute teacher. I had trouble finding a permanent position in my area, but enjoyed substituting. In the end the low income, lack of health insurance, and politics in the educational system lead me to look elsewhere.

    Part of me wants to suggest that you remain a full time student focusing on your studies; however, another part thinks the answers to your questions about your new career could be found while substituting.

    In the end I know that whatever you choose to do will be right for you and you will be wonderful because you are wonderful. πŸ™‚

    Xyra recently posted: New Pet
    • Thank you, Xyra πŸ™‚

      Being a substitute teacher will hopefully just be a stepping-stone for me, Xyra. And also, it’s actually quite well paid, here.

      I’m hesitating because of that very thing! Is it better to fully concentrate on my studies, or should I start working a little to see what it’s like?

      Thank you so much for stopping by, and giving me more warm fuzzies πŸ˜€

  5. Congratulations on getting your BA, Lexxie – that’s such a big achievement and it’s really something to be proud of. πŸ™‚ I was going to start my BA this year, but stuck with my heart and applied to do a Bachelor of Forensic Science beginning next year instead.

    Your classes for your MA sound as though they will be very interesting, and I hope you enjoy them. Peadgogy would be very interesting, I think. Even though it’s a lot of work and a long time before you can become a fully qualified teacher, I’m sure it’s worth it, and that it means that the children that you will teach in the future will have an excellent and thorough education.

    • Thank you Ebony πŸ™‚ I’m very happy I made it πŸ˜€ Good for you that you’re waiting a year so that you can do the BA you really want! Even if you have to wait a year, it’s such a big commitment that you should follow your dream.

      I think my MA classes are going to be interesting, and since most of them are seminars, we are in smaller groups, so we have a lot more in-class discussions. And you’re right. Having teachers with a very thorough education will hopefully make them (us, I guess) better teachers.

      Thanks for stopping by.

  6. Congratulations! WOW! We should have a week-long celebration. Where are the photos?

    I do think that you have nothing to fear, Lexxie. You are such an awesome person so I think you won’t have any problems in the “making friends” department. Hahaha. I definitely get you about worrying over memory retention. That was also my fear too when I started my MS. But that’s probably the reason why I am doing a lot reading because studies have shown that it enhances memory retention. And given that you are such a heavy reader, you won’t have a problem with that, too. XD

    And, Lexxie, I know that we have already talked about me not calling you Ma’am but you’re going to be a teacher so I think it’s only right to call you with the said title. Hahahaha. Your kids and your future students will be so lucky. I know that you’ll make one cool teacher. Can I be your student, too?

    As for being a substitute teacher, I personally think that you should focus on your studies first and just do some substituting during summer classes or when it’s not that busy. πŸ™‚ I might be biased with this suggestion because I never liked multi-tasking. Hahaha. But again, it is up to you. I know that you can still do it. πŸ˜€

    Good luck to your current and future endeavors, Lexxie!

    Charlotte @ Thoughts and Pens recently posted: A Letter To My YA Book Boyfriends…
    • Thank you, Charlotte! The official ceremony isn’t until December 1st, so that’s why there are no photos. I will post some when I actually get my diploma in my hands.

      It’s true that reading a lot helps the memory, I can see that a lot more since I started blogging. And I think that having a blog, and writing every day helps me for my studies too. The more I write, the easier it becomes to write; even if I’m not extremely original all the time.

      Here, I could tell my students to call me by my first name. I would love to teach in senior high-school, so I have to be careful to not be too close to the students, but I would still like to have a personal report with them if possible.

      Sadly, there is no summer school in Switzerland, so it won’t be possible to substitute then. And I totally get what you’re saying! I don’t want to start doing too much at the same time. I have to finish my studies, and I would like to not spend too much time finalizing my MA. At the same time, I’m so eager to be in a class-room… I have decided that I’m going to wait until the first or second week of classes is completely over, then I’ll know what my workload is going to look like.

      Thanks for stopping by, my dear Charlotte πŸ™‚ Have a fantastic Friday.

  7. I think it is really great that you made the decision to quit a job you didn’t like anymore. I think that there are many people that really don’t like their work but are scared to do something new. At 22, I am scared that I still don’t know what I want to be ‘when I grow up’ but it is nice to know that nothing is set in stone! Good luck with your MA, Lexxie!

    Jirrine @ Jirrine Reads Fiction recently posted: Review: Three to get Deadly – Janet Evanovich
    • It was a little scary at first, Jirrine, and I was really afraid I wasn’t going to be able to actually get my degree! It’s really great to study again, though, I love learning new things, and getting to know new people. And hey, I’m proof that your chosen career isn’t something you have to stay with for the rest of your life πŸ™‚
      Thanks for stopping by.

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