Part time vs full time degree

[Earlyriser84]

Evening

I wondered if it's possible to do a degree full time , work part-time, volunteer and raise children?

I'm wanting to re-train and I'm currently doing some college courses and volunteering in my chosen field. I really want to go back to university and get my degree so I'm looking for people's experience of doing just that. I'm worried about not being able to fit it in as I work part-time and have two toddlers!

I'm mid 30s. Part of me just thinks go for it although the sensible side says take the part-time route.

I'm doing a part time honours degree, work full time, college one day a week, and supermum . It can be done . What you wanting to do?

I don't think you would manage a full-time degree with all the other stuff you have to fit in, probably better to do it part time.

What would you do if your lectures were scheduled for days or times you were working, are your employers flexible?

It all depends on your hours which you haven't told us. What are your part-time working hours? it is possible to do a degree full time and work part-time, (i did it ,11hrs of work per week), but to add volunteering and very young children to that schedule i'm not sure. How many hrs of volunteering do you do and when? you might even be able to squeeze that in but i think that will be the max you can fit in. Your dc will NEVER see you.

My work is flexible as I work from home for two days a week (plus evenings and whenever the kids are napping) and volunteer one day a week.

I guess what you say OneFineDaye, my children would never get anytime with me. I could probably manage it but thinking about it, it wouldn't be fair on the rest of the family !

OP- you sound like me! I am having the same dilemma (although I am older and have a primary aged/teenage children).

My heart wants to do the full time course as it is at a place I have always wanted to study at, but would have a massive impact on the family. My head says do the part time course (only one university offers this) as I can still continue to work 2 days, volunteer (which is relevant to the course) and have a family life. Both involve awful commutes.

I think in your case with 2 toddlers, I would do the part time option as it could be very stressful juggling family life and a full time course.

It depends on the course, to be honest.

What are you retraining as?

Could you do a OU degree? I do a full time course with them, totally manageable.

golden yes, I have the same issues ! I'm an all or nothing person generally too. How long would the commute be for the part-time ?

I'm wanting to do Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy with the aim of working in the field of substance misuse. I'm doing college courses and volunteering in this area and, even though i know i don't necessarily need a degree to do client work, I would like the option of being able to do postgraduate qualifications and i think Psychology would be a good base.

My oldest starts school next year which is when i hope to start.

It's been over 15 years since my first attempt at university !

I thought about the OU and have done courses with them before.

I do a part time degree and work full time and it's a struggle. I go to university one day a week (except to holidays) so my time at work get squashed. I also spend an awful lot of free time doing coursework/revision so really don't get much time for myself. Before a big deadline my DH has to completely take over the housework/cooking for a few weeks.

I don't have DC but can only imagine it would be a nightmare.

Please don't underestimate the amount of your own time you have to put in outside of your lectures.