To think I can do a degree right now? Young DC at home and pregnant

[Hocusypocus]

Just that really.

I have a DS of 10 months and am 16 weeks pregnant with our second, AIBU to think doing a degree now is a good idea? I've always worked basic jobs and desperately want a career.

I'll be on campus two days a week, sixteen hours. DP works full time but can choose his two days off per week to accommodate my studies.

I have an interview set up for next Wednesday but my DM thinks I'm biting off more than I can chew..

I think juggling young children with studying can be very difficult but I know people who have managed it, but it's not for everyone.

Also it depends on what you are studying... some degrees won't lead to a much higher salary.

I work full time. 18 month old ds. 22 weeks pg. I started a part time degree in September.

If you don't try it you'll never know. I say go for it.

I managed it with a baby and toddler but with the Open University. Its doable with childcare but you need to be very organised. I had the toddler at nursery a couple of days a week so I could study in peace when the baby napped.

You'll be shattered, but as long as DP has your back wrt childcare and house stuff you should be fine.

When would you start? IF you would start next September then yes do it. Student finance would help towards childcare costs. If you could put them in child care an extra 2 mornings on top of the 2 days on campus then you will be able to get it done. It won't be easy but I managed my PGCE whoch was 2 days at uni plus 2 at placement whilst caring for my 1 yr old and planning our wedding!

I have spent the last three years running an UG degree course and I don’t think you’re mad. You will need to think about the work you need to do outside lectures- possibly plan for another 16 hours a week? But much of that will be reading and you can do it in evenings without needing more childcare. You probably will need childcare as you progress into further years of your degree, but that’s doable. Several of my students had very young children. It’s not easy, but it is doable and by the time your children are in school you’d have a degree- perfect! Ask at the uni what their attitude is- they should be very supportive. There might also be things like lecture capture and online modules to help if there are periods you will struggle with (eg when next baby is born). What degree do you want to do? Some are probably more child friendly than others...

Thanks for the replies

I'm wanting to do health and social care, I'll be using student finance to fund it and have been told I can get help with childcare to the tune of %80 of the costs which is great.

It all seems very enticing, I just want to be sure I'm not throwing myself in the deep end at a tricky time.

I do have a few worries about ending up with a ton of student debt but not being able to complete, I think that's very unlikely though as I'm very motivated, but it's still a niggling worry.

The start would be January, so not too far off

@Hocusypocus, you can get up to 85% of childcare costs covered. However, how much help you actually get depends on your household income. If your DH earns over a certain amount (not sure how much) you may not be eligible.

I'm currently pregnant and planning to go back to uni in September and am wondering wether I can balance working part time and studying with a baby!

I couldn't see any point In starting a course in January with a baby due before the summer. Seems like it would be a wasted semester to me.

What sort of job prospects would you have with that degree. Would you be better off going straight for nursing, probation or social work for example.

What would you do after the health and social care degree? I'd start thinking now about that, as if your ultimate goal is a nursing or allied health profession, you'd be better doing an access course and going onto an accredited health professional course.
I only ask as I've met a couple of h&sc grads and they were working as Band 2/3 health care assistants on £16-19k, and wishing they'd done something like OT or physio instead due to the salary and potential to progress.
I'm in my last year of a Biomed degree (part-time around full-time work) and you absolutely can do a degree with limited time, but you do have to prioritise the course.
Think carefully about where you want to go afterwards.

I'd have your second child then then him I about qualifications. Like other poster said I'd go for a professional degree: nurse or allied health care - radiographer, biomedical science, occupational therapist, physio, paramedic

If considering biomed def look at co terminulus degrees

Oops wrong spelling co terminus

I'm in my final year of a part-time masters with a now 6yr old and 2 yr old. It's been hard, but doable. You'll need to factor in time to study as well as time on campus.

Prioritise and stick to your timetable, would be my advice.

I did my law degree with a toddler and a newborn baby (gave birth to my second the week before my finals) and I managed. I then went and did a masters degree. If I can do it so can you. I’m not sure you’ll be improving your earning potential with that course though and I think you should definitely do an access to nursing course instead if possible.

I'm taking note of all the replies and suggestions.

My long term aim is to become a social worker, working in probation is also something I'd like to do.

I did wonder whether it would be bad timing to start in January when baby is due in April, truth be told I've been reflecting on my lack of achievement up until now and would love to have a worthwhile job by the time the DC are school age.

Absolutely prepared to consider other courses that would put me in a better stead for the positions id like

I tried doing a masters with young children (youngest was 2). It was really hard, and I had to finish at just PgDip. But my now ex wasn’t helpful, and lots of life stuff happened. I’d ask about what would happen if you were unable to hand in work. My PG uni had a good policy and gave extensions, but the place I did my UG had a really complicated system that involved a lot of stress and either having to do a completely different piece of work at a later date, or just getting lower marks generally.

Do it now! Soon you'll have two young DC so it won't get easier. However - I agree with others it's good to really plan ahead and assume you'll need more childcare help than just your dp doing 2 days a week - otherwise you'll never see each other, will get burnt out, and unless you have brilliant sleepers you'll struggle to find the time to study.

Also agree with others that you might improve your earning potential faster with other courses - worth considering if that's a priority.

I would also consider prioritising a more vocationally focused degree. You may only get finance for one degree, so it would be imported to choose carefully.

If you want to do social work I would suggest that you do an access to HE course (many FE colleges run them), do some relevant volunteering while you have your baby, and then start a social work degree when baby is a year or so old.

Great you know what you want to do, thats most of the battle. Tbh i think you should go for that degree.

I know people who have done it in similar circumstances, usually part time but they had jobs on top of studying and kids! It's going to be hard but worthwhile in the long run