Any uni student/mothers out there?????

im about to begin studing full time for the next 4 years and would like to know how other mothers juggle there children,partners,study?????

Tash, Ambah has just finished her Uni year, I'm sure she'd love to pop in to give you some advice.

Hi Tash!
I have just finished my first year at uni (I am doing a bachelor of Nursing). I started part time (2 subjects), then took on a 3rd subject in 2nd semester.
Next year I am going up to the normal load of 4 subjects.
This year I have had to have Aidyn in daycare for 2 days per week, and next year I will have to have him in for 3 days (purely because I cannot condense the timetable to fit into 2 days).
TBH I have found it pretty stressful this year, and always get pretty snappy around exam time (poor DP) plus the housework takes a huge dive whenever I have an assignment due or study to do.
I make it a rule that I never do any study during the hours when Aidyn is awake, as theres really just no point trying, plus I dont want it to interfere with the quality time he needs with me. So I usually never start any work until after 8pm at night, unless of course Aidyn is in daycare and I am at uni that day.
Surprisingly although I have found it to be hard and stressful at times, I also have really enjoyed it and managed to come out with much better grades then expected. Hopefully this will help me be more confident next year so I dont feel as stressed and pressured.
Being organised really helps... I have lost many many hours searching for and having to re-print out lectures and notes which I have carelessly misplaced, so definately try to start out organised and with a place for everything.
Sharleens sugesstion of doing 15mins study then a break etc is a really good one, as it can get SO stressful if you let every pile up (which unfortunately is what I did both semesters - leaving all of my study until 2 weeks before the final exams!)

All the best with it! What course are you doing?

ETA: we also had a thread with studying Mums chatting a while back... it is HERE

Hi - my daughter Cait had just turned three when I went back to Uni part time at the start of last year. Part time, eight contact hours a week over two days + school placements, which, like Sharleen said are a bit tough juggling your own children. And I've only done one ! Cait went to daycare one day and my mums the other day.

There was a woman in my course who had her third baby in August, rescheduled her placement, took an extra two weeks off (five weeks on total) and was back at Uni after that ! Her husbands job enabled him to be at home when she wasn't and like Sharleen above, she would spend entire days at Uni.

I havent had to do prac yet, but I am a bit worried as I will have prac in both semesters next year. At the moment I have no idea what I am going to do with Aidyn on the days where he is not at daycare... I may have to get DP to take leave off work if he can, as I have no one else who can watch him... (both my Mum and MIL work full time).

I'll be studying next year as well!! I'm really looking forward to it!! Hopefully I won't stress too much. I'm a very organized person so that is sure to help! :D

Hey i just start my Bachelor of Nursing Part time this year, (did 4 subjects all together) and start again next year, 2 subjects per sem... I start uni Feb 2007 and have blob in march 2007... Soo i'm going to be doing the juggling newborn routine... Don't know how it will work out! But We'll get through it!!!

Wow Cass, let me know how you go with it all, as I am considering getting pg again at some stage, and wonder how it will work with study etc. I wouldnt have another bub until early 2008 though, and was thinking I could just drop down to one subject for that first semester after bubs is born.
At least with your baby being born in March you will still have time to drop off a subject if you need to, before the penalties apply.
What uni are you doing your Nursing course at?? I am at QUT.

Lea - being organised will definately help ;) Are you planning on doing FT or PT?

I'm going to start PT and see how I go. I'd rather find I handle it easily and then pick up subjects then cave under the pressure of FT IYKWIM.

I've applied for both on and off campus but I'm hoping to get off campus!

im not but i just want to say good on you i wish i had the strength to do both

Ambah Will let you know how it goes... I've started studing all ready so i know most of the material we will be covering next semester, i'm thinking i'm going to be a little preoccupied with blob, so i should start now, give my self some extra time~ and i don't have any prac next year, so don't have to worry about that :) and managed to squeeze the classes into one day! Which is less time away from blob... i reckon its going to be difficult as i don't have a partner to help me... But the way i think of it, i not doing it just for me... it's for blob's future too
I'm studing at Griffith - South brisbane

shannon - extremely disorganised procrastinator <... I think u described me... I'm usually the one that leaves studing and assignments till the night before (heheh an still pass) i'm trying to change my ways but we'll see :)

lea - Definitly get what u mean, it's much easier to go part time then full time - expecially when preg or with kids... even some of my friends whom have neither are finding it hard full time~

Take care ladies :)

Ha Ha... you organised girls who get things done the night before LOL. My lecturers are lucky to have my assignments the following week :oops: LOL.

I've been studying externally for a couple of years now. With bub due in early Feb I'm going to take Sem 1 off and then do one unit Sem 2 (all going to plan...) and gradually get the units done here and there.

I have friends who have done a bigger load and they have found it quite stressfull at exam times but it certainly can be done and I really admire them. I'm just lazy.

I just did a bridging course, Intensive Open Foundation, it was full time and I struggled a bit but I think I did alright.. I find out how I did on my exams on Monday. I was another of the "do it all the night before" people, but I did not do too bad with my essays.

I guess in a way at least being single meant that was one less thing to juggle, but ex did stress me out a lot and told me I was being selfish for doing it. I had a lot of trouble with Logan not sleeping much so I had to learn to function with little or no sleep some times. I also had Logan in the daycare on campus so in a way that made it easier since I don't drive and if he got sick I was only a few minutes away.

One girl in my Ancient history & culture class called me an inspiration because she said she could barely cope with the work load and she isn't a single parent so she thought I was amazing :oops:

I am hoping to get in to Early Childhood Education next year, I still don't know if I want to try to do it full time and get it over with faster or make it easier on myself and do it part time. Am I able to change to part time if I find full time too.. well, full on, does anyone know?

Hello, I completed my Diploma of Library Studies at TAFE fulltime over two years. During that time DH was away frequently (for work) so I often did a lot of juggling re hours, etc. Our family day care lady was a godsend as we had evening classes and DD was being fed, bathed, read to and tucked up in bed while I was in class learning.

In the second year, I also worked 20 hrs per week, and I found I had to be really really targeted about how I spent my study time, only investing it in those tasks that were the highest priority. This meant skipping over some of the repetitive activities once I understood the method they were demonstrating, and concentrating on those areas that I didn't yet understand.

The other thing I would like to say is: be prepared for your life to undergo a huge transformation - study opens doors and changes your life for ever! There will be moments when you are so completely tired and overwhelmed that you really have to choose to keep going, keep your eye on the prize at the end of it. Also don't be afraid to ask for extensions when you have a genuine reason, but don't abuse them either!

Good luck!

Melly01 - U sure can go down to part time, if ur not coping with Full time...

Marydean - Thanks for the luck - i'll use it!!!

Me too, me too!
I had already started my Grad Dip Psych last year when I fell pregnant, did summer semester to catch up (was a mid-year intake) and then had to pull out of first semester this year (couldn't be pregger for the first time and be a student at the same time!). But I'm going back for first semester next year...not sure I can do the two subjects I've enrolled for, so I'll see how I go...
I'm also doing it by distance, which will involve one weekend school per unit, but Oscar will be old enough to leave with DP.
Might be better to hold off first semester and go back for second, if you can? Even if that means doing a summer semester to catch up, like I did. I am really glad I chose not to do second sem, because Oscar really does take my time and energy - I'd rather be present for him and all the milestones of the first 6 months, than to be half there for study and baby. Plus, for what I want to do, I need really good marks, so it wasn't worth risking it.
Good luck with study and blob!!

I started studying for my Bachelor of Early Childhood in 1994 and I studied part time for that year. Then found out early 1995 that I was pregnant with Emma. I finished Uni in the November and she was born in Dec. I went back to Uni part time the following year (I also worked part time). When Emma was 8mths old we moved to country Vic so I studied part time externally and continued to do that through 3 moves and another baby. My XH's Mum would come and stay and look after the kids for me while I was on placement or my Nanna and Granddad would come. I seperated at the end of 1999 and put my placement for the end of that semester on hold until school started again the following year and I had moved back to Adelaide and got settled. I was lucky enough to find a place close to Uni and studied full time for 2000 and completed my degree. The kids went to day care and because I was studying full time and on my own I got JET payments for day care which meant that I only had to pay $4 a day or something like that. I managed to work my timetable (being a single parent meant I go the pick of tutorials etc) into 4 days which meant that the kids were at home with me on Fridays. I got through most of the subjects at Uni with credits and p1's until my final year where I got mostly distinctions and credits. I always left everything to the last minute and remember one day where I took in my file of quotes form articles that I had typed out at home and in 2 hours (just in time to get it in!!) I completed a 5000 word essay but just putting sentences between quotes!!!

It can be done and does require some juggling. I don't think my kids suffered any ... they were both young and didn't know any different ... full time day care when I was on pracs didn't hurt them any ... it was only for a few weeks! If it means getting the prac done and not then do you really have a choice?

I am planning on going back to Uni to get my Masters in Educational Leadership when Asha is full time at school ... 2009 or 2010!

Cheers

I'm a 3rd year uni student. I'm not sure how I am going to go but I have my fingers crossed I'm doing 3 subjects distance education so here's hoping. I plan on doing two degrees I think now is a good time to have kids as by the time I'm finished they will be near starting school and I can start my career and it gives me the chance to be the stay at home mum I always wanted to be.

Best of luck with everything, just make sure you schedule some YOU time in there as well, DP and I are making a commitment to have one weekend a month for just ourselves and I plan on having at least one day a fortnight that is just for ME, probably sounds a bit selfish but I think it'll be good for everyones health :-)

I studied externally for my teaching degree when pg with DS and finished when he was 2 1/2. Just about to start my masters this year and can't wait. My only suggestions would be to set yourself a routine at home so that you have study time, family time, housework time and stick to it. Also stay on top of assignments so you don't have a huge stress on at the last minute. check out the flexible delivery modes sometimes they offer courses in block mode (do th whole course in a week - absolutely worth it!) And don't take on too much at once. Are you studying on campus or externally?

this thread's been really helpful. i'm 18 in my first year uni currently doing 3 subjects (the full-time load is 4) and i'm waiting to see if i'm pregnant (have had ALL the symptoms etc) and one of my biggest concerns is how to juggle uni and a baby! i worry that if i was to put my baby into childcare while i'm at uni (longest day is 10 til 3, all others are 3 hours or less in the afternoon) that it would affect the mother-child bond that's formed and stregthened within the first year. could it affect the baby in a bad way? what have other people found?

Im straight back into my second year Social work full time. Im loving it..and really felt like I needed it after having the past two years of doing nothing particularly with my brain lol. I love getting on campus and mixing with different people. I am defintately not disciplined enough to study externally..ive tried it before. Its hard when you have newborns. I can remember going back to uni when my babies were 3 months old it was really hard..for me it didnt work out at all but thats just me. I think its important to be quite organized and not leave things to the last minute..and I guess if you are passionate and enthusiastic about what you are studying it makes all the difference too. I was doing my bachelor of nursing before and going into second year it just wasnt the right fit.

Jo

This thread has helped a lot.
I am wondering when to have a baby at the moment and I just can't decide. This is my final year of uni (Masters). These are my 2 options I'm thinking about:

1. Start trying now. Be pregnant for the last half of the year (if all goes to plan) and have the baby early next year. So when I finish Uni don't work straight away, wait until baby is a little bit older.

2. Get pregnant later in the year, then will be able to work for 6 or so months before baby is due. But, then have to quit job and get another one when baby is older.

Any one have any suggesstions? Will it look bad on my resume if I don't work straight after uni? Doing psychology. Will they think I'm out of practice later when I apply for a job?

What's it like being pregnant and working (pracs)/doing uni (+ thesis). Will that be hard? Worried about the morning sickness thing and if that will affect me a lot.

Really can't decide. Very confused at the moment. lol. Any suggestions would be great.

Not sure if I should have written this here now, longer than I thought it was going to me. I guess no one has written anything for a while here so hope it's ok :)

Anyone?

I guess it could work either way for you. From the perspective of having to stop/start/stop/start when I had my babies, I would probably want to finish first, then you have that under your belt for ever. Ive never been a daycare person, so have never left my babies unless its with trusted family/friends..but if you have some care available for you when you study it might work. I have always been less motivated to study while I have babies to look after..life seems so much more interesting! Goodluck with whatever you decide, as no doubt it will be the right choice for you.

Jo

Oh I will have finished uni at the end of this year. So that won't be a problem. But with the work thing it might. I don't really need to work for the money. Just worried about how it may look on my resume later like which way would look best iykwim?

Thankyou for the reply!

Hi SaraJane,
I was pregnany while doing my honours year and struggled during the morning sickness part. Once that past (for me 12 weeks) it was all good. I would try and have your baby straight after uni. Perhaps once your bub has hit 2-3 months you could do some volunteer work one day or week or something so that is on your resume and you are keeping in practice.

Thanks krysalyss, that's a really good idea about the volunteer work.
I am really excited about having a baby now so I prob won't be able to put it off for much longer anyway!! lol.
So is the morning sickness and tiredness that bad? I mean, even tho it's full time uni it's not really full time iykwim, so I think it will be ok. But really good to hear from someone who was in the same situation!! Thanks so much.

Hi Sara, hope this response isn't too late for you!
I would be inclined to try to finish uni before bubs is born, but not to bother start working, especially if you will be pg at the time. I don't think not working straight after uni will look bad on your resume... you can just be honest and say you had a baby. I don't see why it should affect it too much at all? I like the idea of volunteer work too... and thats something that would look really good on your resume ;)

WRT uni and pregnancy, it can be done, but it may be hard, depending on how your body copes with the pregnancy. I just went on my first clinical practice when I was 5.5 - 7.5wks pregnant, and m/s hit me smack on day one. I found it incredibly hard to cope and had to take 2 days off, in which I went to the Dr and was given a script for Maxalon, which kept the nausea at bay and helped me get through the rest of prac. I will now be doing 3 subjects for the next semester, including another prac subject when I am 6 months pregnant... so will have to pray that all goes well!
Wishing you all the best with your decision hun, and with TTC! :)

Thanks Ambah. Yep, we've decided to start TTC now, looks like it will fit in well if all goes to plan :)
I will finish uni before the baby is born and then have a bit of time off until it comes then go back to work after it's a bit older.
Thanks for sharing your experience, glad to know it can be done while at uni!!

Hey, I have 2 kids, a 10 month old and a 2 yr old. Im studying full time at the moment, and hubby will also be studying full time next year. I have them in daycare 2 days a week and i try to do all my study then and when they are asleep at night. (im studying externally)

Hi, just bumping up an old thread. Is anyone starting uni this year?

yep, back at uni again in feb, ugh.

Hi Rebecca.
What do you study? I'm assuming you're second year? And where do you go?
This is going to be my first on campus studying since I had my son, so I'm pretty nervous about my dedication to it (or should I say lack thereof).
I'm hoping I'll put in the time for it.
I'm worried about the course I got into though.. There's quite a few harder subjects (chemistry and anatomy and whatnot) and I don't want to have to focus all of my energy and time on my course rather than my son.
How did you manage all that?

i wanted to study this year...i still can be im a bit lazy when it coems to the studying bit i must say and tend to leave it till the very last minute lol...also i dont wanna put my mum out by asking her to babysite if i do....so shall see,,,but id love to do it.

Hey Jessica,
I definately think if you want to go to uni, then do it! Even study part time if it's easier. In years to come, you'll probably find your life will be a lot easier with a uni degree under your belt. Also, I'm using uni as a way to get out a bit more and be more social. I'm lucky as my mum is desperate to watch Ruben as often as she can.
What were you thinking of studying? A lot of courses can also be done externally so you wouldn't have to worry about getting someone to look after Ashley