MSc with a newborn

[mrslillian]

I'm due to graduate from my BSc next month, managed a 2.1 whilst working and having a now 5 year old so I have the entry requirements for the MSc I want to do. New baby due in August, no longer working but I'm unsure whether an MSc will be manageable whilst looking after a newborn! The course starts late September, it's 3 days a week. My husband is working from home for the foreseeable so he'll be around more to help out when he can. And I'm hoping our son will be back to school in September too (his school couldn't facilitate all the reception children so he couldn't go back in June). Has anyone else done a masters while having a baby? Don't know if I'm being ridiculous even considering it!

My baby is due end of August 2020 and I have my Masters starting late Sept 2020. A lot of people think i’m crazy, but I dont think a baby should halt your interest and career progression. It will be hard, I would imagine more so with a child and a newborn.

I’m doing my course part-time over two years, so i’ll be in uni 2days a week. I think it’s manageable if you are super super organised, selective with socials and you keep on top of your studies. Is your husband going to look after the baby while you are at uni? Goodluck with whatever you decide x

Congrats you are obviously a good student. 2.1s not easy to come by. I support what you're trying to do.

I see you are not working at the moment.
Will you be on mat leave?
Sounds like you are a high achiever and career focused.
Are you taking time out from work and for how long?
Hmmm.
3 days a week you would have to leave your baby. Im not sure thats a great plan, could put u under a lot of stress. Could DH mind the baby those days? Or family?
Is it a one year masters?
Could you do it over 2 years?
There is never a good time and it won't get any easier.
Could you speak to Course Director? Is there a woman on faculty you could speak with?
I think realistically you will need some kind of workaround.

I did it but it wasn't easy.
I had a year done, had baby Sept of Year 2 and went back to college that Oct while on mat leave from my job.
Lectures were 3 days a month and was pumping in the loos etc
My supervisor was a mum and very supportive.

Talk to the college, work out reasonable accommodations for yourself and go for it!

It depends on the type of person you are. I wouldn't attempt it but only you know how organised you are. What about financing it?

Thank you for replying :)

I was made redundant in March so won't be working. Financing isn't an issue as we're luckily managing fine on my husband's wage, I was planning on finding a new job next summer if I do do the MSc this year.

I've found a similar course that I can get funding for which is distance learning so I'm wondering whether that would be the better choice. I just don't want to put it off if possible, but I also don't want to miss out on valuable time with my baby.

It's a hard one to decide!

I did my MSc part time in two years. I started my dissertation when my third child was 6 weeks old. It was doable but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. Lack of sleep is a killer, but you'll be ok if the baby sleeps through?

Talk to your supervisor about the arrangements for deferring a year if it comes to it. You need a backup plan if things don't go according to plan?

I was going to do this. I'm an academic. Already had an MSc. Did it in a year. I'm so glad I didn't. My son didn't sleep well, had colic, I had birth injuries and anxiety surrounding the birth. I was knackered. An MSc would've tipped me over.

You won't know if you can do it until you try, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Will the MSc actually be taught face to face, and you’ll need to go to the university?

@BikeRunSki yes face to face, I live a 5 minute walk from the university.

I think I'm going to speak to the university and see what they suggest. I might just defer if it will be the most sensible option