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Advice Needed

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by tlange, Jun 15, 2002.

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  1. tlange

    tlange New Member

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    I am getting ready in just a few short months (August) to relocate to the Twin Cities area to begin my studies at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Plymouth, MN.

    I have been out of college for 10 years. I am excited to get back into the academic swing of things so to speak.

    I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how you survive going to school, working, etc.

    It has been a while since I have had to juggle school and work and times have definitely changed since 1992!

    Also, anyone know of any good jobs in the Twin Cities area that would be compatible with a school schedule?? I have already started my job search via monster.com, hotjobs.com, startribune.com and other websites. I have been able to apply for over 40 jobs and received a phone call from one of the companies last week.

    I am excited about the change, but in some ways I am a bit apprehensive because I am relocating with no job at the present time. I am also a bit rusty with my Greek and Hebrew, havent touched either one in a while!

    Any veterans of seminary have wise words of wisdom for me?? It would be greatly appreciated!
     
    #1 tlange, Jun 15, 2002
  2. crazycat

    crazycat Member

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    tlange,
    here is some things that helped me survive nursing school, work, husband and a baby.
    1. God
    2. breathe
    3. God
    4. breathe.
    5 index cards I would make study guide and put them on index cards and carry them with me everywhere I went. That way when ever I had a free moment I studied.
    6. Take good notes! if you dont take good notes become friends with some that does.
    7. Have study groups. My schedule was so busy some semseters with a full time school, part time job and family I had to have study groups to make me study.
    some may say tape the class and listen o it in the car. I never did it cause I did not want to hear the same boring junk over again. It may work for you.
    8. sleep when you get a chance not when you are use to sleep. you may think you need 8 hrs of sleep, but do you really want to sleep a fouth of your life away? start decreasing amount of sleep you are getting now so your body will already be adjusted.
    9. Be flexible, depending on work and school schedule, you may have to totally read just your life. work at night, school in am, sleep in afternoon.
    10. breathe
    11. God

    I do not know what else to say, but if I can do it with a baby and husband. I am sure you will be fine alone. I am praying for you brother. ;)
    Cathy :D
     
    #2 crazycat, Jun 16, 2002
  3. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    One suggestion. Get an apartment AND a job within a mile or two of Central Seminary. Know some folks who commute in many miles and lotsa traffic and waste valuable (and limited) resources.

    Worth paying $100 more a month rent and worth working for $1-2 an hour less to be nearby. You will learn to LIVE in the seminary library.

    Hey, maybe you can get a cot and a little fridge . . . [​IMG]
     
    #3 Dr. Bob, Jun 16, 2002
  4. AVL1984

    AVL1984 <img src=../ubb/avl1984.jpg>

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    tlange, Dr. Bobs advice is right on the money. Listen to this wise "old" (LOL) man! Praise the Lord for your decision to go back to school. You're in my prayers Brother.
     
    #4 AVL1984, Jun 18, 2002
  5. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    1. Keep a solid devotional life. Many seminarians leave school a mile wide but only an inch deep. The Bible is your life book, not just a textbook. Prayer is not just used to ask for good grades ;)
    2. Get plenty of rest and exercise. Ignore whoever said "learn to live with less sleep." Follow that advice only if you want panic attacks, depression and heart failure. Stop to smell the roses. You'll look back on these years with fondness someday.
    3. Be a dedicated student, no matter what financial hardship this puts you in. Work as little as possible, if at all, at an outside job so you can concentrate on your preparation. You are not moving there to bag groceries. You are moving there to prepare for what God has called you to do. That may sound harsh and is not politically correct, but it's the best.
    4. If you're not already, become a wide but scrupulous reader. Learn to eat the meat and spit out the bones.
    5. Keep a sense of balance. Learn your Greek and Hebrew, but remember that every Sunday there's a lady who just lost her husband who couldn't care less about the Aorist tense. Keep a scholarly head with a warm heart.
    6. Be building a library. This will be your best ministry asset. Your profs can and should help.
    7. Enjoy the experience! Again, you'll look back fondly on this someday. Don't whiz through it so fast that you can't enjoy it.
     
    #5 TomVols, Jun 18, 2002
  6. Digital_Unit_716

    Digital_Unit_716 New Member

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    Just Curious,
    Who advised you to enroll at Central Baptist Theological Seminary ?
     
    #6 Digital_Unit_716, Jun 19, 2002
  7. tlange

    tlange New Member

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    I will post a reply to all those who have replied to my original post.

    Dr. Bob - I am looking to possibly live in Maple Grove at first (staying with friends until I get settled - job, etc) then will move to Plymouth!

    Tom Vols - I agree with everything you said, except point #3. I am not independently wealthy, nor have I ever had any jobs that pay a whole lot of money. Bottom line is that I have to live and survive, and pay my bills, which will require me to work full-time and go to school. Unless my investments pay off big time, or I get an inheirtance, or some other type of financial miracle, then this is the plan! I wish I could do like I did in my undergraduate years, where I could go to school full-time and work part-time (parents backed me financially) but that was 14 years ago and things have definitely changed!

    KBS - In response to your question, it was not any one person in particular, but rather several visits to the church and seminary over the last couple of years, coupled with being in ministry for the last three years. These two situations were used to allow God to get my attention about further training. I also took the time to pray about it and counsel with my pastor and several other people who I hold in high esteem in the Lord. Everyone has been extremely positive and not one negative thing has been said to me regarding this. Hope this answers your question!

    Thanks to everyone for your advice...
     
    #7 tlange, Jun 19, 2002
  8. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    I hear you, but this is the most common mistake made by friends and others I counseled with through seminary and this was the biggest mistake I made as well. Live on bolonga if you have to! Be as much of a student as you can be!
     
    #8 TomVols, Jun 19, 2002
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