Studying with a baby

Has anyone studied with a baby? How did you make it work for you? What were the challenges?

I went back to uni when my oldest was 3 weeks old. I did summer school to make the semesters easier.

Challenges were leaving assignments to the last minute and then dealing with a baby that wouldn't settle and doing all nighters when you couldn't catch up on the sleep the next day. When she was older she would press the off button on the computer and anything I hadn't saved would be lost. Soon set autosave to 1 min. Springing a leak in a lecture theatre. I had my daughter just down the road in barnados home based care. She was only in 12 hours a week as I did all my stuff I needed to do at home to minimise the time in care. Group projects were difficult. Most of the other students are single and young and just don't understand the limits of having a baby. I used to have the meetings at my house so she could sleep whilst they were there and if she needed a feed I had pillows by the computer so I could breastfeed and type at the same time. I had a chair with arms which was crucial for this.

However she is now 14 years old today. I honestly don't know how I did it and couldn't have done it with any of my other babies. She was exceptionally laid back and easy. I also didn't have a partner which I swear when we finally got together made life very hard work for a while. I was used to doing stuff for just me and her and another person added to the mix was actually harder rather than easier.

Me! Well, studied with a toddler while working and now studying with toddler and newborn. Mine is by thesis so no classes - it's all self-directed. This has pros and cons.

The key thing was having a supportive DH. There is no way I could have done it without him. My weekends and evenings were my study times, as well as DS's sleep times though that's way more tricky now I have a newborn who cluster feeds all evening.

Strategies (other than an awesome DH) - Prioritisation - housework isn't a priority (though in all honesty, it never was), making sure I spent quality time with DS when he was up - helped manage my guilt and also give me some time away from my thesis. Also, agreeing with DH about if it didn't work out - so putting it on hold, extending my self-imposed deadlines etc. This meant there is a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work out.

I went back this semester just been (Tyler was 8 months) as I have 2 papers left of my degree, but ended up doing one paper which was one day a week. It was actually not as bad as I thought, my mum and DP took turns watching Tyler for me, so if you have a good support system of family or friends then that will really help you out. The biggest challenge for me was because Im bf I was initially worried about that, but I just fed him before I left and once I picked him up so that wasn't an issue. Assignments were a bit tricky too, one of them was a group assignment so it was a bit hard to complete that, but it worked out, you just have to be super super organised (not something I am usually lol) and start the work as soon as you get, and work on it little bits at a time, I found that really helped me get everything done - I would wait till Tyler was asleep and do my work at night, as if I did it during the day I would just get stressed and interrupted and couldnt concentrate. So far it has been really good and Im so glad I made the decision to do part time as it was a good way to ease back into it and get used to being a mum and studying Good luck with it all, it's definately a challenge but so worth it

I returned to fulltime study when my son was 14 months old. I did 1st year nursing and then switched to Occupational Therapy. Everyone says that being organised is key...and I would agree. However I'm the type who leaves assignments to the last minute! From my past three years studying I've endured a lot of late nights...all nighters, big rows with my partner (because i leave things to the last minute...get all stressed and want to dedicate all my time to my assignments) lots of external stresses during study and assessment periods. However it's all been manageble and I've managed to pass every paper I do, and only had 3 C grades over the three years (this is a huge accomplishment for me to be able to acheive As and Bs). I studied straight out of school and left after my second year of uni, when I think back to that time I was barely passing, and spent far too much time partying. Studying when you have a child I think centres you alot more and makes you work harder to achieve good results.

 Having support of family is key, however I have relied mainly on my partner then anyone else. Ensure that you do spend quality time with those you care about, because often they feel left out, unimportant. Be organised (I will definitely be taking this on next year....my final year but hey better late than never lol)....and remember to take time out for yourself regularly.

Edited by ooEvaoo

Amme - I cant say about studying with a baby but I have done it whilst pregnant and with prioritisation as flissty said is so important. I found out I was pregnant into my final year of vet school and from the moment I found out I put measures in place to be ready for final exams. This involved stuff like not leaving things until the last minute and slowly, consistently working on it. By the time final exams came I was 29 weeks and didnt allow myself any all-nighters, in fact I went to bed by 9.30pm most nights! Just got my grades back and passed with flying colours. I attribute this to the fact I just plugged away at it the entire year...

Best of luck with it!

I studied with online courses (extramural except you go in to EIT for exams and tests) I did part time with only 2 papers a semester. I had K in April and started in July so she was only 3 mths old. I just did most of my work in the evenings after 7pm when bubby was in bed, relied on my DP to take care of her if I'd left an assignment to the last minute (except for feeding ofc) I started out "ahead" and slowly got behind and ended the year in hard out study 4 hours before the exams :P

One of the best bits of advice... don't sweat the small stuff, you can catch up on study if something baby related comes up and its important. Don't get too stressed over housework. It'll still be there (and worse in a few hours/days)

And put in an order for a "perfect(lol)" baby who feeds and sleeps really really well right from day dot!

I don't have a baby, but a 3 year old and I am about to start Midwifery fulltime for 3 years! I am so excited.

I did all through this year do a Pre Health course which consisted of Math A, Math B, English, Chemistry, Cells and Tissues and it was pretty full on as i was working too! You need to have good structure and good discipline.

Amme - I can't comment on the studying with a baby, but if you are looking at putting bubs in the Massey daycare you would probably want to get your name down quick smart as there is a fairly major waiting list from what I'm told.

I think how easy it is depends on the nature of your bubs. If hes laid back and sleeps great then it would be easy. If you have a reflux or colicy baby then it would be very hard.

And yup the massey daycare has a mammoth waiting list