Wanting to go to uni - 4 kids - good idea?

I am currently studying Women's Ed at Tafe here in Adelaide and have wonderful lecturers who can be very supportive and very good at boosting my self esteem to convince me about going to Uni and studying to be a high school teacher. It's when I get home and am bombarded with chores and kids' needs that I feel that Uni is a galaxy away!!

I have wanted to study at Uni for years, but it's always seemed like a dream. I would love to hear from other mums that manage it. I would probably be about 44 or so when I graduated - is this too old to start at a new career?

I would love a crystal ball that could tell me that it's a good idea and no one will suffer from mum studying and not being home all the time.

I'm looking at the double degree of Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts at Adelaide Uni.

Thanks!
Laura

Laura, i don't think it's too late at all. Many women and men change careers at forty - there is no reason you can't start one. I'm sure many employers down the track would probably look upon you with high regard - having the maturity of an older adult, and the youthfulness of only just hvaing studied - so not yet bored, etc.
My mum is 40 (I'm 21) and she has a 16yr old, 11 yr old & twin 11 month olds.
She completed uni as a single mum with the three of us about eight years ago, and now she owns two successful businesses. She is up to her neck with stress but it's her passion - don't let anything get in your way!!

Good luck!

I went to uni with a woman who had 5 kids under 16 I think. Obviously she was used to chaos and she seemed to find uni a breeze and sailed through it. Much calmer than the rest of us stressheads.

i have just come through my final year of uni with an 11 month old and im going to do my hounors , so i say go for it . its somthing u can do for ur self

Thanks everyone for your kind and helpful thoughts. I am really determined to go to uni.....I wish I could start straight away, but 2011 is easiest for me as a start year.....I guess it will come quickly enough!!

Good luck to all the present studiers - I think you're amazing!!

Laura - If the passion is there you'll find away to fit it in..go for it sweets

Hi Laura, I am doing my PhD at the moment with an 18 month old. I have a really supportive DH though and couldnt do it without him. Uni definitely takes up time and you need to be quite organised and realistic to make sure everything with the kids gets done as well. But it can be done.
If it something you have always wanted to do then you will regret not doing it. As for the age, I don't think that matters at all. All the other things you have done in your life will add to your learning and teaching and will come out in ways you won't expect. Good luck with it!