classes up in the air

I find my professors so frustrating when it comes to giving advice. Especially about classes. We are supposed to go to our adviser about classes and I did. But he said he did not know a lot about the classes being offered. So I talked to the program head. He was like, you should talk about this with your adviser. It is so frustrating because it seems like no one knows. I asked the practicum adviser (another professor) if it made sense for me to do practicum, take classes, and work part time all at the same time. He said yes. The program director said no. But he seemed to be getting frustrated. So I didn't ask him what classes I should take if I wasn't going to be doing practicum as two of the classes directly relate to the practicum and to stay in student housing I have to be taking classes full time (six credits). He said I could ask him questions if I had more, but he really just seemed to be frustrated with my questions, keeping asking if I had talked to my adviser (which I did). The thing is my adviser used to be the program head (which you would think would help) however, they changed a lot of stuff this year and now my adviser doesn't know what to suggest. I told the program head that i hated it when my schedule was so up in the air, and he said, none of it is up in the air. It seems like professors just don't understand that the financial aid that is provided is just not enough to get by on and so people have to work. Especially with my T bills. I just don't feel like I'll ever get done with school and they are not helping by not being able to give straight answers. And what is up with only offering one class summer session that I can take? And making it a special studies, so I can't take the other special studies in the spring session? UGH. Don't they ever look at what they are scheduling. Two grad classes in the summer, and only one that I haven't taken before (same for everyone else in the program except one group.) I don't understand what they are thinking.

My student adviser could not find sand on a beach.

Student advisors are often overwhelmed with the number of students and programs and class schedules, etc. However, it is their job to answer your questions - so keep bugging them until you get clear answers.

Another possibility is to ask fellow grad students about the demands of certain courses or professors. They are more likely to be honest with you and give you a student perspective, which you certainly won't get from the department head. It sounds like you are balancing a lot with school and work, so talking to others who have completed the class would give you a better picture of how much reading, writing, group projects, etc. which could help you plan and balance your schedule.

Graduate programs often only offer certain classes every 2 years due to scheduling concerns - there are only so many teachers and some classes are in much higher demand. There are a lot more freshman than there are grad students, so you'll see tons of freshman composition, but only 2 or 3 graduate classes offered. It's supply and demand, but it is very unfortunate...

(((((googley))))))

I have had similar frustrations with advisors and professors ! It seems a lot of the time like advising is more of an afterthought--they have their classes to teach, research to conduct, papers to write, etc etc...and then they are committed to advising people.

To be honest, i just gave up on advisors and have been advising myself for the last few years. A lot of the time, they don't understand and live in 'professor world.'

If it were me, i would sit down and make some sort of list/plan for every class you have to take, how much money you need to get by, and see if it's possible to go ahead and do the practicum, classes and work. Even though that will be the harder short-time option (and more stressful)....for me, i'm just ready to be done with it school lol.
I'm taking grad-level biochem this summer, and teaching an undergrad class, and working in a lab. This is complete insanity and i'll be stressed out and going crazy probably, but i just keep thinking it will be worth it in the long run when i'm done and moved on from school.

But also...if doing all those things is going to make you feel like crap and stressed out, it might be worth it to try and take it slow...even though i know it's hard when you feel like you just want to get on with your life and get out of school...if overwhelming yourself with work, school and practicum is going to push you over the edge and make you miserable, it's not worth it.

If my T were here, T would say to probably take it slow and not kill yourself this summer.

Hhhmmm...its making me wonder if i should take it slow. that's probably the better option.

It sucks when circumstances seem like they are frustrating no matter what we choose --being stress-out now for a summer, or taking it slow but being in grad school longer?
Lol i don't think this reply is turning out as helpful as i wanted it to be. hugs to you googley