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Original poster

Continue education while working full time and prepare for a baby

5 replies

aCupOfTeaSunday · 22/01/2023 11:34

Hi everyone,
I developed a fascination with Philosophy over the past few years, and I am now interested in a Philosophy post-grad course. It is a one-year weekend course in Cambridge, while I work full time and live in London- so one hour travel every weekend.
I would like to know if anyone has a similar experience and has any advice on continue learning after graduation while working full time. Am I biting more than what I can chew?
All advice is welcome. Thank you so much.😊

OP posts:
mindutopia · 22/01/2023 11:45

Do you have the free weekends and can you afford the course without going into debt such that it will set you back if you choose to have a mat leave when you’re done?

More importantly though, what’s your long term goal? Is it just for fun or are you hoping to use it as a career stepping stone in some way? If it’s for anything more than just fun, I’d think about the usefulness of the course. I’m a uni lecturer who teaches postgraduate courses and I can’t personally think of any at a legitimate university that are fully on the weekends, so just be careful you aren’t blowing money on something that won’t benefit you.

That said, if you have evenings and weekends free and can afford it, I can’t see why not. I did a PhD while commuting to London for work and with a toddler. Pre-children you have plenty of time (after is a different story!).

redskydelight · 22/01/2023 12:16

I know a few people who have done this to get MBAs (and the qualification was very much for their career progression so they considered it worthwhile).
I think it's fair to say they all found it exhausting - it means you never get a free day and it is fairly relentless. If you're pregnant so potentially more tired anyway, I'd worry it would be too much for you.

If you want to continue to study, it might be better to look at distance learning, so you can fit the study around your life/how you feel a lot more?

RandomersAssociation · 22/01/2023 13:58

If you browse the Mature Study and Retraining board, you’ll find lots of people recounting their experience of undertaking similar study on top of work, etc:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Should be helpful!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Higher education Philosophy & religion
Original poster
aCupOfTeaSunday · 23/01/2023 10:15

mindutopia · 22/01/2023 11:45

Do you have the free weekends and can you afford the course without going into debt such that it will set you back if you choose to have a mat leave when you’re done?

More importantly though, what’s your long term goal? Is it just for fun or are you hoping to use it as a career stepping stone in some way? If it’s for anything more than just fun, I’d think about the usefulness of the course. I’m a uni lecturer who teaches postgraduate courses and I can’t personally think of any at a legitimate university that are fully on the weekends, so just be careful you aren’t blowing money on something that won’t benefit you.

That said, if you have evenings and weekends free and can afford it, I can’t see why not. I did a PhD while commuting to London for work and with a toddler. Pre-children you have plenty of time (after is a different story!).

@mindutopia Thank you for the good questions in your reply. It made me think more thoroughly.

Yes, I have free weekends for at least a year, and I won't go into debt because of it. As for the long-term goal, it will help with my career progress. I am working in tech, which has a lot to do with building a digital world where the human elements sometimes need to be noticed due to a lack of expertise. The combination of tech and philosophy will give me an edgy and is the icing on the cake as many workplace training lack personal interest.

I will check the timetable carefully to see if classes occur during the weekend.

OP posts:
Original poster
aCupOfTeaSunday · 23/01/2023 10:17

redskydelight · 22/01/2023 12:16

I know a few people who have done this to get MBAs (and the qualification was very much for their career progression so they considered it worthwhile).
I think it's fair to say they all found it exhausting - it means you never get a free day and it is fairly relentless. If you're pregnant so potentially more tired anyway, I'd worry it would be too much for you.

If you want to continue to study, it might be better to look at distance learning, so you can fit the study around your life/how you feel a lot more?

@redskydelight
Thank you, the information is helpful and I will also check distance learning.

OP posts:
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