Studying part time away from home - is it do-able?

[Dragonwoman]

I have a place on a part time masters course. The course only runs at a few universities and is quite specialized. The university I will attend is a two hour drive away. I plan to commute for lectures and study, placing my toddler in the university nursery and staying overnight in a b&b as necessary. My older children will stay at home as they are at school and will go to a childminder after school when I'm away. We can't all relocate atm because of DHs work. Am I mad to think this will work ? I was confident initially but now the time is getting closer I am starting to worry! Will I just crumble under the studying, travelling and organising this will entail?

how many days a week is it?

I'm sure it'll work - you'll make it work! And it's good in the long run, even if it'll seem stressful at first.

I'm goign to be in similar difficult situation next year - my first DC is due end of Jan 2011 - and then Dec 2011 I need to do a 3 month school placement - trianing to become teacher - DH and I live abroad with his job, so will need to decide whetehr to come to Uk without DC - and ship my mum over to look afetr DC - or put DC in Devon with my mum and do teaching in Herts - and travel and see DC at weekend!

ANYHOW.... you have made a good decicision, and it will work - and all your DC will get used to it.

how long is course for? If it's one year it'll fly!

I haven't had the timetable yet, but I'm hoping to only need to attend one or two days a week. The course is 3 years though as it is part-time. (One year full-time). At least I don't have to leave the country - your situation seems even more daunting!

My situation was ok originally, but cos of EDD I'm having to defer the last bit, which is a pain, as it would have been better to qualify and then have a baby - but it's taken us 5 years to get pregnant - so not complaining.

Yours is DEF doable - 1/2 days will be fine - no problem - in fact i bet the older chn will love it. And the youngest will adjust pretty quick i'm sure. A bit of hassle, but def def doable. Good luck with it all!

dragon, i am about to start full time uni, witht the same sort of conditions. except that i dont have a toddler, youngest is 7, and instead of a b&b, it will be university accomodations, ie, halls. (eek). and its a three hour drive away. (double eek)

its all down to you, and whether you feel you need to do this, andhave the emotional strength to do so.

CupcakesHay - you can ask your uni for either finding school near your mum or yo ucan approach schools and find one suitable for you

there's still lots of time to sort that out