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Title basically sums it up - i have found a course that i really want to do - wnted to start it 3 years ago and now i might just be able to afford it.
But what are your tips? i work full time, have a 6 year old and a man (i think sometimes he can be included as another child LOL!!) and dont know how to find the time ...... how do you guys do it?
WOW - go girl if you can manage it all! I admire people who want to study, especially with kids and husband!
I haven't done it (studied when I was 17-21) but my advice would be to do up a bit of schedule with all the things you normally do in the week. Then schedule in time for study that CAN'T be interrupted. Still include "fun" time for yourself and family. If it all gets too much remember you can defer or do it later on. Don't put too much pressure on youurself - goodluck!!!
Sit down with your man and discuss who can take care of what and when and how (around the house and with your child). You need to allow yourself time to study and to complete assignments, preferably somewhere away from the house. The library or a cafe, perhaps. Those times need to be right next door to sacred. I think that's basically how things are working for us, studying, full time work, baby. We keep the lines of communication open- if one of us is overwhelmed, we help the other out. Good luck. :)
Wow, thanks guys - i didnt think anyone was going to give me any tips!
Well, looks like i am applying - i want to become a naturopath - and i have 3-6 years to complete the course. The best thing about this course is that it is at my own pace, not set to a schedule like uni (tried taht a couple of years ago and i just couldnt work to their deadlines).
Hopefully i can work it out!!!
catrionalee,
I am not yet doing it, because I've only just gotten accepted into uni, but I will be working 4 full days a week, studying part-time and have an almost 2yo and a 13yo living with me, as well as DH of course.
DH and I talked about how the house would run without me, as I would be at work all day and studying 3 nights a week after work (at uni or home, but there would be a 3 hour block where no one can bother me) and half day on Saturday. DH finished his post grad dip a couple of years ago so knows what sort of time commitment I'm going to need to do this properly, and has promised to give me that time without guilt or added stress.
I think your DH has got to be completely supportive and willing to give you the space and time to get things done. You too have got to be able to tune out of family and work at the end of the day and become a student in your mind. I think this last part will be the most difficult part for me, and for most mums in general. :)
Once you have the confidence in your partner to hold up the fort while you're off studying, you can relinquish the reins to him and concentrate on your own work. So communication between the two of you is vital and needs to be on-going.
Good luck hun. In fact good luck for both of us! Lol!
Good luck to you too Sushee!!
i dont know how i will do it, but i knwo i WANT to do it so i guess that will push me even further. I am soooo lucky, DF isnt my DD's natural dad but he does everything to help me with her. And its for all of our benefit in the long run.
But i am envious, i wish i could drop down to 4 days!
At least my course is at my own pace, no uni deadlines. I just cant wait to study!!!
I think i will just make 2 nights a week where they will have to understand that i just dont exist. Only thing is both of our pcs are in the lounge - hard to tune off from all the otehr goings on in the house. Might have to see how late the local library is open......
Hi Catrionalee
I've been doing work, study and care for a little one (not necessarily in that order!) since she was born. I work for myself, so cut back to part-time (very part-time to start with) and started taking on more and more work once she turned one. Since then I've had her cared for one day a week away from home and had a nanny for two days a week. This year I'm increasing the time we have a nanny for to longer days and probably an extra day and she's going to preschool for one day.
At first I postponed study (I've been doing my Masters part-time) for two semesters after she was born and I'm very glad I did. I got through as much as I could study-wise while I was pg. I picked up study again last year when she was 18 mths (subjects I did weren't offered 1st semester, so effectively I had 3 semesters off). I've fitted in a summer school subject to get me there a bit quicker and I only have one to go now. Summer school was very hard as it was intensive. I really needed DP's help more with the study side of things than the work (which I can kind of manage during the work on my own), especially when it came to assignments. I am very much looking forward to being finished in a June as study has taken pretty much all of my free time off me!
My biggest tip would be to work everything around you and your child and the times that suit your routine, rather than to try and make your family adapt. There's always got to be some flexibility on you and your family's part, so if you start out with the intention that study and work fit in with them you find they don't get pushed aside too much. And it's amazing how flexible work and study are prepared to be if you state your wishes up-front. I had to go in to a client's office for two days a week when my DD was less than a year old and they agreed to two long-ish afternoons (in between bfs for me!) and the rest from home. If I hadn't asked I wouldn't have gotten that.
Good luck, it can certainly be done!