Comments on: Just say no – Seminary triage http://www.goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/ Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:20:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jon http://www.goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/comment-page-1/#comment-180 Jon Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:25:41 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/#comment-180 I completely agree. It took me a while to realize that some things are more important than others. Last quarter it hit me that investing in ministry and in my family was more important than grades. It's important for me to learn from seminary, but I'm focused on ministry in the end - not a PhD/academic track. That may come and I need to be responsible, but it leads to different priorities, and that's OK! I completely agree. It took me a while to realize that some things are more important than others. Last quarter it hit me that investing in ministry and in my family was more important than grades. It’s important for me to learn from seminary, but I’m focused on ministry in the end – not a PhD/academic track. That may come and I need to be responsible, but it leads to different priorities, and that’s OK!

]]> By: Eric Messelt http://www.goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/comment-page-1/#comment-178 Eric Messelt Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:59:30 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/#comment-178 I actually had a good transition into seminary. I'm a middle-aged guy going back to school. Before I enrolled, I was working out of the home. The disciplines are very similar. Best is a separate room that becomes the study-room. When the student is working it is important to create an expectation that they "shouldn't" be interrupted. I close my office door to a crack as a signal. Obviously, if kids or spouse want to do a walk-by hug or snuggle, you aren't going to refuse to see them! The hardest part was when I was at home during work hours and would get distracted by domestic chores or distractions (mine was the refrigerator). Non-student spouse should be very sensitive about asking student spouse to run an errand, do a chore, etc. because "you're there at home anyway." In a previous graduate program (I've done this student-with-family thing before), I'd make a point to take a study break once an hour, walk out to see what's happening with the kids and spouse, chat or help with homework, and then go back to work. Being a parent is tough while in school. But being in ministry as a parent will probably be tougher. So I'm trying to start now to develop the reasonable boundaries between school-ministry and family. I actually had a good transition into seminary. I’m a middle-aged guy going back to school. Before I enrolled, I was working out of the home. The disciplines are very similar.
Best is a separate room that becomes the study-room. When the student is working it is important to create an expectation that they “shouldn’t” be interrupted. I close my office door to a crack as a signal. Obviously, if kids or spouse want to do a walk-by hug or snuggle, you aren’t going to refuse to see them!
The hardest part was when I was at home during work hours and would get distracted by domestic chores or distractions (mine was the refrigerator). Non-student spouse should be very sensitive about asking student spouse to run an errand, do a chore, etc. because “you’re there at home anyway.”
In a previous graduate program (I’ve done this student-with-family thing before), I’d make a point to take a study break once an hour, walk out to see what’s happening with the kids and spouse, chat or help with homework, and then go back to work.
Being a parent is tough while in school. But being in ministry as a parent will probably be tougher. So I’m trying to start now to develop the reasonable boundaries between school-ministry and family.

]]> By: Shaun Tabatt http://www.goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/comment-page-1/#comment-173 Shaun Tabatt Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:51:06 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/just-say-no-seminary-triage/#comment-173 This is something you should definitely try to get down during your first semester of study. Bad habits are hard to break, so you may as well start off on the right foot. I'd suggest putting together a schedule for yourself. Be sure you schedule in time for your personal devotions, time with your family, time to study, etc. A good schedule can allow you to make the most of the time you have each day. I'd also suggest finding a good place to study that is quiet and free of distractions. This can be difficult if you have small children. If you want or need to study in your home office, I'd suggest investing some good ear plugs from the local hardware store. Happy studying and God bless! ST This is something you should definitely try to get down during your first semester of study. Bad habits are hard to break, so you may as well start off on the right foot. I’d suggest putting together a schedule for yourself. Be sure you schedule in time for your personal devotions, time with your family, time to study, etc. A good schedule can allow you to make the most of the time you have each day. I’d also suggest finding a good place to study that is quiet and free of distractions. This can be difficult if you have small children. If you want or need to study in your home office, I’d suggest investing some good ear plugs from the local hardware store. Happy studying and God bless!

ST

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