Studying with a newborn?

[Ebeneser]

I'm doing an Open University course. My EDD for my first child is the 28th October, and my next module is due to start around 7th October.
Has anyone ever studied after just having a baby? I don't know if it would be better for me to take a year out, or if it would be worse trying to study with a 1/2 year old and working at the same time (I plan on going back to work full time after taking a year off for maternity).

Any advice from someone that has been in the same situation would be appreciated.

Hiya, I started a PhD in September with LO due and of February. He arrived 7 weeks early and we were in hospital for 6 weeks then it's been like having a newborn since his due date. In short, three months of total disruption!
Being able to study is going to depend on your circumstances. How flexible is the workload? What support do you have for baby? What are you energy levels like on minimal sleep? Is it more stressful to take time off or to try and work exhausted? Would you enjoy being a full time parent or do you need something else? Is your choice to study now or wait a year? Personally I think 3 months off is the minimum otherwise I'd just be sick with exhaustion, but that's just me. Got to make it work for you x

I think it depends on you and your child. I'd have struggled but I had a friend at uni who had a baby in the summer between her 2nd and 3rd year at uni and she did very well in her exams and professionally.

It'll be a 30 credit module, the last one I need to finish level 1. They are fairly structured, with certain units needing to be studied in order to complete the assignments that are due on specific dates.

I managed to work full time, do two 30 credit modules and a separate college course 2 evenings a week the year before last. It was knackering but as one of the modules was very easy I could just ignore that one until I had an assignment.

I guess if my baby turns out to be an angel then it would be easy, but it'll be just my luck to get a baby that doesn't sleep and projectile vomits while levitating on the bed at all hours. If I don't get enough sleep I'm really good at making my head turn 360 degrees and levitating as well!

I'll hold off registering for the module until last minute, or leave it for a year I think. If I can get a decent head start on the materials over the summer I might be in with a fighting chance.

My partner will help, but he works full time, so if I'm on Maternity I don't want to overburden him.

My second DC was born end of Feb and I started a post grad qualification in the Sept so she wasn't new born but I did have two children under two, went to college 1 day a week and worked 9 - 5 the other 4. I did this for two years, then the last 2 years I did as weekend study so one weekend in 4 I was out all day Sat & Sun. I passed the qualification with a good grade so it is possible but obviously depends on lots of things. Leave it to decide as late as possible.

I had a baby halfway through a uni course. While it was somewhat disruptive I can 'the day it was difficult with a newborn. The first six months were a breeze really. But between 1 and 3 it is pretty much impossible if you are the main carer. Have you considered nursery /nanny etc.?