University study

[jellybean88]

I'm planning on applying to study midwifery in the sept applications at Griffith university

Just wondering how others managed full time study with 2 children under 2?

I will need to work in the field as well I think 10hrs p/w per unit

Please tell me I can survive this

How did you go re: money from centrelink and daycare ?

Anything else I'm missing?

[Mumma T]

Jelly I am in a bit of a different situation working full time and studying parttime with only 1 under 1 so not much advice but I just wanted good luck!

I think its awesome when anyone goes back to study. I am studying Primary teaching and am adement I will get through the 8 years parttime study

[Traveller]

I manage with heaps of support from my husband and understanding friends who are patient enough to know I will see them in a few years when I have time. It's hard but doable and if you are committed it will be very possible.

[Olive]

Honestly I haven't studied with two kids under 2 but I think it would be very very hard, if I were you I'd wait.

[jellybean88]

I'm lucky I have a very supportive husband but I'm worried I don't want to miss out on my kids growing up and I'm not one of those people who study's for hours I've been lucky in that 10 mins cram in usually gets me at least 80% in exams and I'm great with assignments although unlike my other study's this is something that interests me

I definitely feel this is the right path for my life it's just whether its the right time.
I guess it's the leap into the unknown that scares me and letting go.

[nothing2lose]

Have you studied at University before? The type of study required is more hours of concentrated study rather than last minute cramming.

I applaud you for wanting to further your education but I agree with Olive, I'd wait if I were you.

[jellybean88]

I have been to UNi before for a year but stopped because of finances and decided it wasn't the right direction it was an addon/continuation to my advanced diploma if I wanted to so I thought I'd try it out .
I'm aware ill have to work on my studying lol I think though in the last 4 years since being married and having a kid I have matured alot and would probably be more reliable in that area now

I think mayby ill see how I'm going.in August

[LimeSlice]

Some things to think about:
- Day care - are there actually places for the hours you will need them? Can you afford it? At around $80-100 a day PER child, it is an expensive undertaking. You may or may be entitled to CCR/CCB - you need to call CL and get confirmation on what you can and can't count on.
- You are undertaking an area of study which requires a full measure of commitment- you are not simply passing exams here to get a degree, you will need to actually recall and apply this information in a clinical setting. So your study hours will need to be on track. This equates to around (at leat) 24 hours PER week. Plus your prac hours.

Is it possible for you to undertake part time study?
If not, before enrolling in FT I would strongly recommend you look into the SSK units at OUA, it will help you get used to studying with the kids, see what you are and are not capable of, and also help you hone and learn the skills you will need to study at a university level.

I think it is fabulous you have found an area of study you wish to pursue, but it can be very difficult with young children, even with a supportive husband, and even more so if you are not used to, or haven't for a long time, studied at a tertiary level. Good luck.

[glorious]

dont forget it isnt simply just uni and clinical you have to do. you are required to do continuity care experiences out side of all of that.

Yes it is all possible, Mid is a hard slog no matter your situation you need to make sure you have some support behind you and the kids.. (dont forget they wont be 2 under 2 for ever )

[Babyluv]

I'm studying primary school teaching and have been for the past 3 yrs. In that time I have been preg, had my daughter, worked split shifts so I didn't have to put her into daycare, fallen preg again and now have my son. I will be attempting to continue studies at 50% loading and still have my two kids at home. Studying with kids is possible but it's really hard. I usually study about 5hrs a day, mostly at night and they often expect you to do more. Mid is very diff to what I'm doing but you can do it!!! Good luck

[Traveller]

sorry I missed the bit about 2 kids under 2. Mine were 2 aged 3, 5 and 6 when I started but I know of someone who did it with 6 month old twins and someone else who has just given birth and already had an 18 month old, and she is still continuing. They manage with good family support but personally for me it was important to wait until they were a little older, although of course people still judge me for having kids in daycare 5 days a week from aged 3. I couldn't manage without full time daycare though, so that would be the first place to look and see if you could manage that both financially and emotionally.

[hj1981]

I manage with heaps of support from my husband and understanding friends who are patient enough to know I will see them in a few years when I have time. It's hard but doable and if you are committed it will be very possible.

Yep that is how i survived too if it is something you really want to do and you have support you can and you will do it ............... with maybe a few tears and stress attacks along the way hahahaha

[*beannaithe*]

Traveller, curious as to what your friend did with her 6 month twins while she studied? I am doing one paper, starting next month and am doing it extra murally as I had no idea what to do with the girls.

[Traveller]

It was a friend of a friend, but the babies were split between daycare and a grandparent. The others I know with just one baby tend to take them to class and lectures and breastfeed to keep them quiet, but then they need family to watch them when on placement.

[My Three Sons]

I haven't done it with 2 under 2, mine were 18m, 3.5 and 5.5 when I started (I deferred my first year when DS3 was only 6 months as I didn't want to be doing uni when he was so young). I was able to do BMID though- and do it well. I used childcare for the younger 2, and after school care for the eldest (and DS2 when he started school in my final year). I also needed the help of my parents as back ups if my husband was held up at work, or if I had to run off to a continuity of care appointment or birth. It is really hard work though. Mid is not an easy degree and you really do have to understand all the elements you learn, and know them well as it is peoples lives and births that we are assisting with and it is really important that we know what we are doing. Prac is usually done in blocks, so you will have to have people who can care for your children during those blocks as you will be doing prac shifts. Our uni (and most down here at least I believe) will also give you some night shifts. I was lucky as I only had 3 or 4 I think in the whole 2 years.

It is doable and certainly worth it, but it takes a lot of dedication, hard work and sacrifice. I certainly don't think my kids have suffered though because I have done this. It has been INCREDIBLY hard financially though. Things are now really really tight for us as I don't start work for another 8 weeks yet and it has been a long time since I earned a wage.

I love it though and can't wait to start!

[Freya]

I've done it and I'd honestly wait. Atleast until your bub is 2, ESP with the clinical hours involved. I ended up withdrawing are a year of study because it got too much and I was quickly coming up to doing clinical hours which are not flexible for those with kids.

[surprised]

I did a semester with a newborn and almost 2 year old. It was hard going, and that was by distance so I could do the actual work when I felt like it (plus only a quarter of a full time load). Semester 2 started and I quickly realized it wasn't going to happen with the newborn much more active and less sleepy. The difference between study pre-kids versus study post-kids was incredible (for me at least). Now I get why the mature age students always seemed so on edge! I'm sure you can do it if you're really determined, but you need to think about if you're prepared to pay the price. I wasn't. Good luck Hun!