Full time degree and school aged children

[Teaandbiscuits35]

I’m about to start a full time degree and am have two school aged children. I don’t have my timetable yet but am nervous about juggling school runs around uni and still managing my mum duties around studying. Everyone thinks I’m nuts for doing this in my early forties but it really is a life line for my family to have a better life where we don’t struggle financially and it’s the career I’ve always wanted. DH can do morning drop offs so would only be afternoons I struggle with.
Any advice much appreciated.

[Coolaschmoola]

You'll be fine. If necessary get an after school club for any days you can't make it in time, but chances are it will only be 1-2 days a week max.

I did a full time post grad with a two year old, and I'm about to start a Masters with a full time job and school age children.

The key is to plan your time, put your essay submission dates on a calendar and set your study time in stone.

I always do 6-8 on Saturday and Sunday mornings, before anyone gets up, and an hour a night after bedtime. When I have an assignment coming up I spend one day a weekend in the library.

It's all in the organisation.

[Teaandbiscuits35]

That’s reassuring. I definitely think after school clubs will be my saviours and that’s helpful about the studying. Thanks for replying.

[Jessicabrassica]

I'm going into year 3. DH can do pick up and drop off 3 days a week. The other two days its breakfast club and either after school club or clubs offered by school if they run late enough. It takes some juggling but its doable. I even still manage exercise 3 or 4 times a week, volunteering and a social life. I started my degree when youngest started school.

Enjoy the adventure!

[animaginativeusername]

Going into 3rd year, early 40's and cannot believe how well I coped. My lecturer assured me in the first year that with all my commitments and responsibilities I will cope better than the younger students which had proven correct. Use your natural instinct of being a parent, multitasking and you will be fine

[anotheroneofthattype]

I'm jealous of you all managing. I've been accepted on a FT course. But no help whatsoever to take my children to school 4 days a week. So I'll not be able to start.I'm gutted, my husbands career is flying and I'm trying my best to better myself and getting nowhere

[juneau]

I'm doing PT with school age DC and during term-time it's fine. The problems for me are during school holidays or when one of my DC are ill - then it's really hard. I know I couldn't cope with FT, but there are plenty of students on my course who do while having babies and toddlers and jobs - all I can say is that they must be a lot more disciplined and organised than I am! Realistically, I could do FT if I didn't exercise, didn't meet friends and worked solidly while the kids are at school. As for assignments - they're often due around the same time, because each course has to fit in a certain number with regular gaps in between, so they're often on the same week. I wish you luck!

[Yourownpersonaljesus]

I did a degree then a PGCE as a single parent with one child at primary school. I was in my late 30s. I also had to get the train there so that added extra time on to my day. I relied on breakfast and after school clubs and childminders. I mostly read and worked on my essays when my DD was in bed. It was really difficult but I did it. If you have someone else at home to look after the kids you'll be fine. Good luck.

[QueenRefusenik]

As an academic who has several students in your position I'd say it's perfectly possible if you're organised - my mature students with kids are awesome! There will be an academic 'in charge' of your degree, different institutions call them different things - at my institution I'm called 'Programme Leader'. Keep them informed! Technically according to our uni policy at least, childcare issues don't count as 'exceptional' circumstances (not for stagf either, which is a WHOLE other thread...!) but there are always ways round, over or under that which the academic in question will know about (most of us have kids too, we know the deal!). Most of us will do anything we can to help if you're putting the effort in, you just need to talk to us!

Good luck!