At uni... wondering how i'd cope with bub

[JasmineLouise]

Hi all. :wave:
You may have seen some of my previous posts on the forum. Basically i feel i am ready to start a family but there are some things i'd like to get in order before going ahead with TTC. I am currently studing full time at Uni and was wondering if it is wishful thinking to assume i could continue with these studies once bub arrives:fingerscrossed: . I do know there are quite a few mothers in my course who manage with a bub and full time study but i'd love to know about your experiences or views on the subject.
Thanks fellow bubhubbers:thumbsup:

[PinkBinkie]

Hi!
I was in your position, ready for a baby but still at uni! We waited until my last year (education), with only one semester to go. Fell pregnant in Sept and finished uni in November. Had morning sickness during lectures and then my final exams but all was fine, just had to keep snacking! I know girls who fell pregnant and had bubs while still doing uni. Some coped but others found it too hard. How long have you got to go of uni? If you could wait just a little longer you would find motherhood much more relaxing with your degree already in your hands instead of the worry of how you'll fit study in. But if you've just started your degree I understand it can be a little hard to put a baby off when you feel you're ready.

[~Emmylou~]

I was studying a BA part time before I got pregnant with my daughter...I had to stop when she was born and I haven't been back.
I also work full time though, so study, work and baby was/is practically impossible.
I'm sure it can be done, but I'm not the person to do it. I guess my priorities changed a bit when she came along too - I just wanted to spend my spare time with her, not studying. I didn't have the commitment needed anymore.

[misskittyfantastico]

There are people out there that can do it and I applaud them but there is no way that i personally could study full time with a young baby.

[Beany]

I'm in the middle of my masters degree and due to drop my surprise little bundle in August.

The lecturers and supervisors have been extremely accommodating - it really is an ask and ye shall receive environment. My supervisor for the dissertation has certainly been an angel by extending deadlines and suchlike.

I will be taking next semester off entirely and then returning at the beginning of next year as a part time student. This has pushed graduation back by exactly a year but hey-ho, such is life, I suppose :)

I don't think your goal of remaining in uni are unrealistic. It might be a bit of a struggle if you continue on full-time but I know a couple of people that did just that and managed fine. Make sure you have the support network up and you'll manage anything.

[PhAnToM]

Where there's a will, there's a way!!

I had deferred studies to work in '98. I gave birth to my DD Sep 2002 and once i had her i felt that it was important for me to set an example for her. I wanted her to see the importance in completing what you begin and the importance of an education for mummy as well as daddy (DH has a PhD).

I went back part-time March of 2003 (DD was just short of 6 months at the time). I was/am extremely fortunate as my parents live next door and were so excited at being first time grandparents, that they sold their business to be "full-time" grandparents.
I would have classes 4 days a week, varied number of hours per week (generally 2 subjects per semester, and 3 subjects for 2 of the semesters). During these hours, my parents would come and stay with DD and look after her. I did all my studying through the night, so sleep is a distant memory. I was due to finish my undergrad degree last year when DH and i decided we were ready (and so was DD) for baby #2. We decided that 3 years was a good age gap and if we could time it so the baby was due in Dec 2005, then it would be good timing as i wanted to do further studies after my undergrad.
I was extremely fortunate and timing was brilliant. :yelclap:
However, with it having to be a c-section, my due date was brought forward, hence falling on my final exam day. Like somebody said earlier, my lecturers and lab tutors were fantastic. They allowed me to set my own exams dates and even said i could sit them after giving birth if i wanted to. Having had a child before, i knew that wasn't a great idea. So i sat them 10 days earlier than my classmates and while they were sitting their exams, i was having a cesar. However, i finished my degree and have my graduation in a couple of weeks.

I thought i would take a semester off before applying for Postgrad studies, however while querying, i got an offer from Melbourne Uni I couldn't refuse. So i am now doing a Grad Dip there part-time (DS now 5.5 months) and only need to do 2 subjects this semester and 2 the next to complete it as i was credited 6/10 subjects as they overlapped with subjects i did in my undergrad degree at the other uni.
So I am now doing Grad Dip with a baby (who was 4 months when i started and is still b/f) and yes it is hard, but it was hard before aswell. Parents had gone back to work when i put DD into childcare at 2.5 yo because she was lonely and wanted to play with other children.

I was much more motivated to study after i had children than i was before. So the motivation made up for the harder circumstances.
I should also say that other than great parents, i have an extremely supportive DH who never whinges or whines if i don't get to cook or clean the house or do the laundry.. he just takes over where i've left off.

I know i've gone on and on.. :ecomcity: but the moral of the story, if you REALLY want to do this and you have some support, there is no reason why you shouldn't or couldn't do it.

Good Luck!!:thumbsup:

[wa mum of 4]

Hey there,
I am currentlt studying nursing, I have 4 children under age of 9 youngest 8 mths, and DH works away 3 and 1.
I do all my study at night and baby in daycare an extra day a week so I can have a full study day.
My children are great, even DD (8mths) they understand when mummy is trying to study.
I dont let uni take control of my life, I do my best but at the end of the day family first.
If it something you really want to do, you seem to find a way. Us mums are pretty good at juggeling.
Good luck.
Sarah:D

[lj1977]

Hey there
I was working and studying before DS came along. I then hoped to continue studying but we had major issues with his sleep and i was just too tired. So i deferred only to try again the next semester - defferring again!!! lol
However i am about to go third time lucky and attempt to get it going again this semester. I think its hard to know what its going to be like when baby arrives - we never thought we would have such struggles with getting him to sleep and thought by now that would be solved but we are still working with Tizzie Hall and trying to sort it. But this time I am in a better headspace so I am hoping i can get on with it!

I think if you want to keep going enrol and just see how you go before census date - you got nothing to lose but the admin fee i guess. Just dont be like me and think you can keep going if circumstances dont allow - and waste HECS like i did on 2 units now have 2 withrdrawn fails which is annoying.

everyone is different and every baby is unique - so see what your combination of mum and baby turns out like then work it out.
Hope that helps - all the best with it

Lisa.

[shed]

I had to defer my unit when I was about 10 weeks along.

I knew it was time when I forgot my own phone number. I was really struggling with preggy brain and it just got too hard. I was only doing one paper and working six days a week. Too much for me but everyone is different and there are heaps of women on here who have managed it just fine (legends).

I have to decide what I am going to do before the end of the year. Hopefully some brain cells will come back.