Questions about IP

I am very interested in starting the IP program but there are a couple of things that concern me. Hopefully someone who is doing it now, or recently finished it, could give me some guidance. I would like to know how long it took you and how time-consuming it is/was?

The reason I ask is because I will be starting up again on my Master's Degree in August,and also work, so I was wondering whether it is something I should start or just wait until I am finished with my degree.

Thank you

Fair warning, it will take time and effort

It really does vary from person to person based on the time you can commit and how motivated you are. Most of the reading and videos can be completed relatively quickly, but you are encouraged to give each exercise a fair amount of thought and reflection.

I know Jedi here who posted very thoughtful responses to each exercise and finished it in the span of a month. I've seen people knock out a lesson every day or two without pausing at all. I personally took two years to finish it because I was in no hurry and spent a lot of time interacting in the forum discussions instead. That, and life does continue on despite our efforts to stay focused.

It will take effort, but how quickly you finish it is up to you. I hope this helps.

It really depends on the person and their situation. I work full time and have a family. It took me I'd say a year and a half to do. And I took it slowly because of what pulled my time elsewhere.

You can do them both side-by-side and the IP can easily be set aside when your Master's Degree demands more attention. You sound very interested, I'd recommend giving it a shot. There's no time limit to when you'd have to complete it and it may be a fun break from your other studies!

i'm currently working on the IP. It is a really deep program which will supply much information. As most studies the progress is subjective. But, as i'm seeing, the more time I take in understanding the materials, the more I gain from the lessons. I have a schedule throughout the week where I tend to the IP program. I used to have a goal of completing it as fast as possible. but, i love the information that i am coming across so much that my only goal is to be sure that i am gaining and undertanding the studies as much as possible. You def get out what you put in. As a student i'm sure you're no stranger to studying. it's no different here. I def wish you much success in your school and IP studies.

I've been working on the IP for some time now myself. I am also going to school though nothing as demanding as a Masters program. However the IP can be done as you find time. So I think you can start it now and delay parts of it as needed. It might even help you find ways to destress from the vigor and demand of your schooling. I wish you well on your path and in school.
MTFBWY,
~Hatter~

It takes up time Willow , i remember staying up untill four in the morning reading Watts and studying ways of meditation and talking to other Jedi, i finished the IP in roughly 2 months , i dont think you can give a value judgment as to how long it takes you to finish it , its not said that if you process information quick of slow that the knowledge is better preserverd , but i would take it easy and count on a good time a day that you can spend on it , after the IP you can start Apprenticeship and that means dedication aswell , but as i said its up to you how long you want to take , and you can take it easy. I remember my teeth getting into it and i could not let go untill i did the IP , i was fascinated and inspired and i had more time then, now i have another job and responsibilities that take time , so i am slowing down a bit , but thats ok , there is no rush.

It varies but most seem to fall between 2-6 months.

I'm currently a master's student, and though I've started the IP I've only had the time to do a few lessons so far. I'm expecting some more time once my courses finish up this month. With a super rough extrapolation of my work so far, I'd say it'll take me... 10 months? Like others have already said, some people blow through it and some people take a long time. It's important to give the lessons the thought and dedication they deserve, so I wouldn't rush though it. At the same time, I see no harm in starting now, and if the Master's gets crazy, leave the IP for a while to focus on your other studies. It's not a race.

SOme of the lessons may seem familiar, recognizing them from other times in your life, and other situations, these you may zip on through...

Some, may take you much more time as concepts unfamiliar to you are being exposed...

And as SecondVariation said, you can always leave it for a while...

Many of tus revisit the lessons, to see what more we can learn form them, or what we might have missed last time we did the lesson...

So, dont stress...

Thank you all very much. You made me feel a lot better about the decision.

Thats great Willow , we are here to help

I want to express my intense gratitude at this question and at many of the replies provided by the experienced members of the temple. I too find myself having to lay aside the IP for months at a time whilst I return to completing my degree. Hearing that there is a level of understanding is great and relieves some of the concerns I have been laboring under, about not finishing it "in time" or that my standing could be affected by the time stamps on my journal entries.

Silly me.