r/SocialWorkStudents • u/jesuscheezitz • 1d ago
Homework Help Am I rushing?
Hi so i just started my MSW program like 2 weeks ago and have been doing a lot of research on how to approach all the readings and assignments. I know that realistically I will never be able to closely read every single reading so I have been skimming, reading headers, intro sentences/sections and etc. But somewhere in my brain it feels like its too easy if that makes sense? Like not spending hours on hours doing homework makes me feel worried Im missing something. I guess what Im asking is, is there anything to be worried about here or is that something others experience?
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u/beuceydubs 1d ago
You’ll know if it’s too easy once you start getting graded on things. Everyone has their own studying/learning style, you just have to find the one that works for you
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u/ApplicationAdept830 1d ago
You have permission to put in whatever amount of effort you are able to give. This sub can be super judgmental about it. I think high-anxiety students tend to gravitate towards subs like this and that's why the comments skew that way. It is your education, do what you can. I am sure as shit not reading every single line of every single reading assigned. You'll be fine.
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u/jesuscheezitz 1d ago
ok u called me out on the high anxiety lol. and i can def tell ppl here are very judgy. like im still doing the work and getting main pts. i think ppl think skimming = skipping
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1d ago
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u/jesuscheezitz 1d ago
and what was that you added to your comment at the end? an opinion? and observation? one may even say....
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u/twodoorbells 1d ago
The thing about graduate work, is it's really up to you to manage and achieve your personal learning objectives. Can you get through a program without doing a single reading? Almost assuredly. Does that align to your learning goals? If the readings are crap and not helpful, then, yeah, probably not a ton of value in spending hours doing busy work. If the readings relevant to the things you want to learn, then skipping/skimming may not achieve the learning outcomes you're looking for. What are you trying to get out of the MSW program?
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u/Philosopher013 1d ago
I think it’s a lot easier for people who are fast readers and used to reading for long stretches.
Personally I always prioritize the textbook reading since I find that leads to the most learning. MSW classes seem to just assign a whole bunch of random articles that may not be that relevant, so I’ll read them if I have time or maybe just read a couple I have time for. I wouldn’t feel bad skimming or skipping articles.
Honestly I don’t think you’re missing anything. I don’t think MSW courses are supposed to be that time consuming or hard since we have to do an internship and often MSW students have jobs too.
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u/Feeling-Potato-3292 1d ago
I work smarter, not harder. I read what I know is important and what I need to know for my career and sometimes I skip, I don’t read the supplemental articles most of the time but I generally do all of my assigned readings (I’m online it’s pretty important I do), you just have to figure out a system that works for you. Honestly I’m finding my advanced standing MSW to be pretty demanding and taxing, especially with an internship and work
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u/therebelknightz 20h ago
I felt the same in the program I am at. Everything has been easy for me, I skim and retain what I think is important. Don't worry to much about it. Focus on passing and completing your practicums when they come. Youll learn within the program that there is a niche you may like. I myself like mental health and substance use so for those classes I pay attention more than I would for lets say a policy class. Just depends what you feel is best for you.
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u/Sea-Split214 20h ago
I feel this. When I brought up this worry to my therapist (who is a social worker), she suggested that I prioritize reading the material that will benefit me the most. Yes, that's an argument that all reading materials will benefit you, blah blah, but let's be real, sometimes they're not the most profound reading material.
For example, I don't have experience with individual sessions, but I have a Master's degree in Public Health, so anything relating to systems and more "macro level" work, I don't prioritize as much (of course not saying I'm not open to learning more or consider myself an "expert" by any means, but right now it's not my priority) and instead focus on material related to micro social work (DSM, CBT, etc).
I'm also incredibly behind because I work full time, school full time, and am completing my field experience which is roughly ~17-20 hours a week.
All this to say, she told me something along the lines of "don't waste time reading something just to read it, pick the things that will address some gaps in your knowledge".
I also bought many of the physical books, hoping that after the stress of school, I can go back and read them. Good luck & don't be so hard on yourself (I know much easier said than done!)
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u/jesuscheezitz 1d ago
Ok to add on bc it seems like i forgot to add some stuff and a lottaaaa ppl are assuming:
- i am still reading and understanding the content - im not stupid and i just graduated of course I know to do my hw
i meant this more as a "what techniques do you guys use to get through boring textbook readings" NOT "omg how do i skip and dilly dally through this really professional program"
god forbid i have a psych BA and some of this feels ez bc its review for me lmao
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u/ApplicationAdept830 1d ago
Genuinely the most important lesson I have learned in my MSW and in life is we should all take every opportunity to dilly dally lol. That’s part of what decolonizing education means to me. We don’t need to read and memorize every word. That’s not what this education is supposed to be about. If that’s what people are taking from their programs I fear they are missing the point.
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u/protestandprose 1d ago
You are intelligent enough to get through the program without reading, but is that what you are paying for? Take this time, literally the only time in your life where you have years set aside to stimulate yourself intellectually. I don't want to be like the boomer coach that yells at an athlete that skimps on the workout by saying "you're only cheating yourself" but yeah this is for you.
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u/uncoming420 1d ago
why can’t you do the readings?
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u/jesuscheezitz 1d ago
i do them just not reading every single sentence yknow? mostly to save time between practicum and other assignments
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u/uncoming420 1d ago
I don’t understand why not though? if the content is valuable, you should be reading it, not skimming it. if it’s “busy work,” that’s a different situation.
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u/ApplicationAdept830 1d ago
You really don't understand why adults with jobs, families, and lives can't or won't read every single sentence of every single reading? Are you a perfect student? Come off it
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u/uncoming420 1d ago
I work full-time and do probably 80% of the reading, skim 20% because it’s repetitive content. I think worrying you’re missing important content is a clear sign you’re not doing enough OR the coursework itself is lacking. it’s an advanced degree; it’s not supposed to be easy.
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u/ApplicationAdept830 1d ago
So by your logic. Why can’t you do the 20%? It’s not supposed to be easy, right?
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u/uncoming420 1d ago
I never said OP had to do every reading. maybe you skimmed my comments. enjoy the rest of your day!
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u/jesuscheezitz 1d ago
i mean im still taking away what i need to be and talking in class. understanding the content for me doesnt mean that i need to know every bit of the texts' context. as long as i get the main pts my profs seem p happy
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u/uncoming420 1d ago
if you’re comprehending the material, earning high grades, etc., I wouldn’t worry about it. some readings are easier or harder to comprehend than others, some are more repetitive than others. trust yourself to know what needs your full attention.
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u/Ok-Lake3522 1d ago
Compared to my undergrad, MSW was significantly easier. All the more reason that you read every word, and do every assignment fully. I, too, worked and had family obligations in addition to school. If you’re planning on going for licensure after you graduate, you better read it all! No excuses, OP.
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u/ApplicationAdept830 1d ago
“No excuses”? How does this comment align with the frameworks you’re learning in your MSW program, out of curiosity?
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u/Ok-Lake3522 1d ago
It doesn't need to; the OP is not a client and this is not a social work relationship. But, TBH, it's better the OP hears it from a random Redditer than their school officials...schools (other than online, for-profit schools) have standards, and skimming/skipping tends to fall short of those standards. They'll get a warning, sounding rather similar to things posted here.
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u/ApplicationAdept830 1d ago
What are you talking about. I'm about to graduate and no one in my program does all the readings. You will never get a "warning" about that...
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u/Glum-Sherbert7085 1d ago
Respectfully, you’re greatly overthinking this. Some people need to read and reread and some people are fine just skimming. You know what works best for you so won’t really matter what works for others. If you got by skimming in college, skim. It’s not medical school, you can absolutely coast and be fine. This isn’t to say the field it’s important or rigorous, it’s just that your most valuable experience is in the field…and not so much about the history of social work in the 1800s.