How do you do it ladies? Being a mummy and uni student! I just dunno what to do?

Hi ladies,

If you could give me any thoughts or opinions that would be great. So as you can see by my ticker I have a while till my bub is born so I really have no idea yet how my world will turn into beautiful chaos early September:) But I am tossing up the idea to go and extend my studies at uni next year 2012...maybe.

I'm just not sure how it can be done though! Honestly! The midwife course offers a full time (3 years) and part time (6 years) option but I'm not sure what the best thing is for me and my family. I have a friend that thinks I will be to old to study (which was not what I expected her to say and I disagree because there are so many amazing people that study all ages) but what do you think? Obviously my little one will be missed greatly and I wish the uni's had a child minding service but they don't.

I have put this off my entire life and being a naturopath is a job that I enjoy however my passion has always been midwifery so any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thank you
Krystal.x

It's hard.
Although i would find it much easier if I wasn't working.
& I think it would be easier with a 4-5mo than being pregnant!! I am so exhausted all the time at the moment, i think having a bub would be easier! Although my last bub was low demand, slept well, ate well, happy, easy!

I would suggest starting with 2, or 3 subjects. 3 subjects still counts as a full time load for government assistance if you qualify.
The BIOL unit is huge, consuming and is taking over my life :lol:. The rest of it is fairly manageable but BIOL is just yuck!
If you have some A&P understanding already (which you will I presume) it will be a huge help!

It is a lot of study - they recommend 50 hrs independent study and I have 18 contact hours per week. Plus working 15-20!
But if you have the passion you will fit it in, it just takes some getting used to and keen organisation (which i dont have yet).

I am doing a full time load at the moment but thing i will drop at least one subject prior to census date as I am really struggling. If the exhaustion improves soon I may keep it. I think the hardest thing is the consideration of clinical pracs. We have to do a regional prac at some stage and for me, with no license at this stage (laziness) that is going to be awful, luckily i can choose ballarat which is not too far to drive rather than having to accomodate 4wks away from family in somewhere like Shepparton or Mildura.

It is hard, but if the passion is there, and the desire is there you will work it out.
Best of luck.

If you really want to do it you find a way.
I have excellent support in family and the back up of friends if need be and wouldn't be able to manage if I didn't. And I have just realised that my MIL who is my 'I can generally have the kids anytime' babysitter will be away one of the two weeks when I can choose my first placement and if I choose the other week my DH will be on nightshift so I am going to have a bit of juggling to do.
One of the girls doing straight nursing at my uni has a 4 month old and 2 other kids. We just had lectures today and she couldn't find anyone to have her bub for the couple of hours so she just brang her to uni. You manage!!
Good luck with making the decision. You can always apply anyway and if you get in and find next year isn't the right time just defer for a year.

it's not easy but you make it work. Have good childcare in place, including for when you need to study not just for when you are in a lecture. It's hard now but it will be hard in the future too when your kids have commitments that you have to try and fit in around uni (after school clubs, plays with friends, etc), so you just have to choose your hard. If you want it enough you will manage :)

You manage, you find a routine that works for you and your family juggling kids around lectures, labs and placements is often hard but you manage. I have done it with a baby, whist pregnant, with s newborn and toddler, it just works, some how!

My best advice is start a study group! They will be immensely helpful when starting exams and assignments more study seems to get done if you in a group (IMO)


Love MN ;-)

Gosh you're only a baby still LOL! I'm 33 and many, many more in my course are in their late 30's and 40's! It is hard - I don't have a baby, but still working in around the 4 kids and their activities is tricky at times. But I do most of my study at night once they are in bed. Just take on a part time load for now and see how you go - I did part time last year but it worked out OK with the kids and DH and the housework so I went fulltime this year.

Oh yeah, in my course at least 50% are mature age students and many, many women are 35 +
It is awesome :)

Thanks for the advice everyone:) After reading how you ladies manage I am in awe!!! It sounds like a constant juggling act but as you said if the passion is there then it can be done. Plus I like the idea that in times bub can come with me if needed or defer a year. Thank you again...you have inspired me and good luck with your remaining studies.x