Studying after baby

Hi there

I am considering doing some p/t study so that when it is time for me to go back to work f/t I will be able to get into a better job in the area I want to work in. But we have a 5 yr old at school and a 4 mth old. I just want to hear if anyone else has a similar situation as me and what their experiences were like studying part time with a baby and a older child?

I'm probably only thinking of doing 1 paper a term so I don't over do it and stress my self out - obviously this will take a while to complete the study.

A bit different, but just to give you an idea, I was working full time and studying one paper a semester. I was doing on average 2 hours of study each night and weekends were usually spent working on assignments. It was hard work and I would imagine even harder with a little one, but I still think if someone is motivated enough anything is possible.

If my DD was doing regular long sleeps during the day I would work on finishing my Grad Dip, but she's a catnapper, so only get 30mins at a time. I could imagine I would just get into something and she would wake up.

I guess it all depends on whether you 'treasure' your nights, as I would think that's when you would do the majority of the study as I was when working full time.

Probably no help but good luck if you go ahead with it!

i know it different but i have done 2 papers a semester since before i had DS. DH does a fair bit round the house which helps (night feeds, bath, feeds baby dinner dishes, helps get him dressed in the morning as i have to be out the house before 8 some mornings). i find it pretty managable as long as your time is well organised. i do about 12 hours in class and about 20 hours over the evenings & weekends when he is asleep (never when he is awake) though thats probably a bit excessive unless you want solid A's. i pick up the toys whenever he has a nap so there is nothing at all to do once he is in bed at night and i have all night if i need it. ill be cutting down to 1 paper next semester as ill have 2 kids who probably wont sleep at the same time and ill be tired at night. ill go back to 2 papers when my youngest turns 1 and probably stay at that right through my masters until both kids are at school.

DS1 is in creche but was on the waiting list since i found out i was pg and didnt get in till he was about 8 months and DS2 will probably get in next semester because DS1 is already there so he gets priority. definitly dont assume you will be able to get her in though cos the waiting lists are pretty hefty.

ETA: just realised you would have 1 child at school. depending on how hard lily is to entertain i think it would definitly be managable to do 1 paper a semester. Mack has just turned one and this is the first semester i wont get an A for one of my papers and i worked 3 nights a week when DS was really young too

Edited by monikah

it is definitely doable if you put your mind to it. it wont be easy, but I have seen it done. My dad did it and he was working 8 to 6 at the time as well as the two of us.

wow thats huge. can i ask how that figure is broken down (just out of curiosity)

monikah - it was student services, text books, course fees and there was something else there too.. The paper by itself without all those things was $600

I'm doing part time at home with baby, part time work (15 hrs) and part time study.  I fit in the study late at night (quite late sometimes as I'm a nightowl - however maybe the morning might suit you better?).  It's going fine. 

I think the trick is to pick a subject that you like to keep you motivated, and to not take on too much at once so that you don't get put off.

BTW I'm studying through SIT (our local polytech) which has no fees.  You just have to pay for course materials and textbooks.

I'm doing my Masters thesis while working PT, with a 22 monther and another one the way. I'm working 0.5 and my study load is probably 0.4. I have Dan in DC 1/2 day a week for me to do interviews and data analysis, and I have a very very very patient DH who tolerates me spending the evenings and part of the weekends on the laptop or reading transcripts in front of the TV.

My discipline levels fluctuate. I'm really lucky that if work is quiet, I can study there. I'm on a roll at the moment - don't know how long it will last!

I study part time and have always managed to get student loan for the fees portion. Books I've got second hand or used the library and with Massey extramural some of the papers I haven't needed text books.
I plan to continue doing 2 papers a semester after the baby is born - I'll be doing one internal so I can attend classes (this method of delivery suits learning style more).
With interest free student loans it seemed a no brainer to use that for fees and worry about paying it off when I'm back in the work force and hopefully earning more due to the qualifications I will have.

What Qualifications are you wanting to gain?