Heading Back?

Something has weighed on my mind for the last 12 months; should I continue with my studies and complete a Masters or not? I've gone over and over this and as plenty of people can attest, at one time or another I've stood on both sides of the fence, sometimes even sitting on the fence itself.

Unlike the degree, this was not an easy decision to make. The last three years have been hard, but not just on me. Juggling a job, a degree and a family was a challenge, but I didn't do it alone. I had help and so I had to consider how a Masters would impact on my extended family as well as my kids and husband.

However, after much soul-searching, weighing up the pros and cons and lengthy discussion with pretty much anyone who'll listen, I've finally decided that yes, a Masters is the way forward for me. This wasn't a decision made lightly (the cost alone is enough to send you running for the hills) but ultimately I feel that a Masters is the next step in my career as a photographer/artist. I'm hoping it will help carve out a distinct path into the particular field of photography I'm trying to break into (have broken into? Am I there yet?).

So, here I am, on the edge of another adventure, and relishing in the nervous excitement of what is to come. Having begged Ed, tutor extraordinaire, God of the Darkroom, bringer of dreams, I've managed to scoop myself a supervisor who not only knows his craft (he's forgotten more than I could ever hope to learn) but someone who knows my work and knows how I work and how to get the very best from me. The next two years are going to be another rollercoaster ride, of that I've no doubt, but I can wholeheartedly say that I know I've made the right decision.

When October rolls around I'll be enrolling for the Masters and enjoying my graduation ceremony all in the same week. That's something to look forward to!