to be considering university as a 30 year old lone parent?

[GoodWitchHunting]

Is it crazy?

I'm worried the kids will suffer because I selfishly want a career.

They will be 11 and 3 when the course starts.

Did it at 28 with a six year old. Lone parent at the time. Ended up a lecturer (Dr. Dawndonna) and a rather nice younger model. Still together 20 years and three more dcs later!

By the way JAMW, the tax payer paid for your GP to train, along with a fair few teachers, headteachers and a good percentage of MPs.

TO JAMW on page 1 - is it not better that she goes to university and gets some qualifications and the tax payer support her while she does this than her sit back and complain of no qualifications and not be able to get a job. I say good luck to her.

I believe you should follow your dreams where ever possible. this is what you want to do so do it, and dont let anyone hold you back.

I wish you all the best,

Oh definately do it. though not a lone parent I have 5 under 3 with no family help, and Dh works at least 60 hours a week,

I did a full on course (P/T) for the first two years.

All of the people on my course are parents and 2 are lone parents. I've written essays breastfeeding a new born and with a toddler running around, I work in short sharp bursts and actually am very productive. Though I have had help for the firwt time when writing my dissertation, went to my mums for 2 days and she had kids, but wrote most of it in the youngests nap (45 mins a day).

I have LOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDD it. Do it in something that will give you a profession you want to do at the end.

You could do the first year p/t then your youngest would be in school.

honestly best thing I have ever done (apart from kids ....!)

dawndonna they give out loving partners when you do postgrad courses??? Well I'm adding that to the pros list ;)

and for GoodWitchHunting
They did with me!

GoodWitchHunting I'm in my 1st year of a social work degree. There are lots of mums on my course.

The only thing I would say is be aware it's a full time course. Year 1 is fine but for year 2 and 3, it's 5 full days a week in addition to all your work; exams, coursework and dissertation.

Mine are pretty much exactly a year younger, and I'm doing a PhD (though part time). I would say go for it. You actually get more support for an undergrad degree as you can apply to the uni for childcare funding etc (as a postgrad I did not qualify for that, but not for childcare tax credits either even though the course was a paid research one- very bizarre). It really is no longer so 'unheard of' for parents to be studying, and there is lots of support available from student unions etc. My university has buddy systems and all sorts- just be clear with everyone if you do need extra support because it is there but it isn't always obvious unless you know who to ask.

Also I think that selfish fucking taxpayer can go fuck himself if he doesn't want people getting a decent education. He sounds like a right whining old sod.

Another go for it!

I have a friend who is a single mum of three - now in her final year of a biomedical sciences degree and another friend single mum of two who just graduated with a 2:1 in law.

On my PGCE course (which is one of the most intense years that anyone can ever do) there are several lone parents.

You need good childcare & great organisation plus an awful lot of sheer bloodymindedness ... but it can be done.

Good luck!

Watch it EcoLady displacement activities stay with you!

Go for it! Its never too late. my first degree aged 40, masters over 50.

Tips for the workload- sheer bloodymindedness! Seriously, make completing it a focus and get on with it. Work out how you work yourself: I have only a research study left to do before completing an MA and I now know that I work as I did in employment: 9 - 5 for 3 days per essay rather than every day for an hour, so I organise my help (Ok, Dh) in that manner. I expect to complete my protocol over New Year becuase the boys ahve an abundance of good TV and DVDs to be amused with, as well as DH at home; easier than multiple school runs etc. Three days of this will not kill them, but I do need to give myself permission to get off the hook for it IYKWIM- or I feel bad. Better to build a more secure future tbh.

Use the staff: student services, study skills, tutorials- people who use them fare better.

Oh and the OU Good Study Guides as a preliminary read- invaluable.