Masters with two toddlers, am I mad?

[Auntybez]

I plan to return to part time study in May to start a masters.. with the bold plan to eventually carve out a new career over the next number of years by the time I’m 40 (PhD in Occupational Psychology). I’ve been working for the past 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry, but my primary degree is psychology. I recently left my job due to a house and county move. I’ve always had it in the back of my mind to return to psychology and take it as far as I can.

Im 34 and have two kids - 13 months and 3. I can get a crèche place for two full days. Will this be enough time? I have studied at degree level within the last 6 years while working full time but I’m aware that’s not masters level, and I didn’t have kids at the time! Will the standard required be too much and I’ll have too little free time to give it the attention required? I’m not working at the minute - I’m a SAHM and very grateful to say I have savings after selling the house at the ‘right time’. I’m aware this is a very lucky position and I feel like if I don’t try this now while I can use full crèche days, I never will.

Any advice or input appreciated. Thanks x

That sounds pretty perfect. Given that you did your degree relatively recently you’ll probably find you enjoy the step up to the next level - assuming you enjoy the subject.

Logistics will obviously be crucial - constructing a day to day routine that doesn’t leave you too frazzled to think. You don’t say whether you’ll be studying online or in person - I guess there are advantages with either. But doing a Master’s / PhD while parenting small children is not at all uncommon - you’ll be fine.

I did one when my children were 4 and 6, and I was working full-time. I hated it, and it was hard work, but it was a means to an end, and worth it in the long run.

Me too - I finished my P/T Masters when my children were 4&6. Much easier to do when they’re little and go to bed early.
Like a pp I also hated it towards the end but ploughed on and it ultimately enabled me to get a much better job with a significant earning potential.

Thanks for your replies. This is all encouraging 😊

I'm not sure the two days is enough however a few questions to help you decide

• Ask to see the syllabus to see how much prep and revision time is recommended
• What else happens on those two days currently? Don't underestimate how much time those `just` tasks take

– Are you easily distracted? Will a knock at the door for a parcel set you back — What happens when the kids are ill? Can someone cover for you? — What happens when you have to do the inevitable group work and the others work part or full time and can only do evenings? — What happens during your dissertation? You will need more time then — Do you have to do practical work? — How much is the leap from your course to the post grad? Is there a lot of overlap? — How much travel time will you need? — What's the assessment schedule like? — Don't underestimate the jump from undergrad to post grad — Can you speak to some students who have done the course, ideally in your situation — Can you do a lot of your study remotely? What days are they? — Can you afford all the books and reading materials?

You may be able to guess I've also completed a MSc recently. Rather than give you a blanket answer please decide about your situation

Thank you so much for this @Gremlin574 I appreciate your honesty and having these points to consider. How did you find your masters?

you’re right about the ‘just’ tasks - I’ll still be expected to run all the usual household tasks on top of studying and they can carve at least an hour out of the 6/7 of the crèche day.

I’ve though more about it and I’m trying to defer until September when I can get an additional crèche day. Thankfully it’s entirely online and they’re very good at accommodating students who work full time and those with family commitments.

I am worried about the jump from
under grad to post grad to be honest. So im
hoping additional time before starting will allow me to brush up
on my writing and refresh from
undergrad. I didn’t make it clear but my psychology undergrad was completed in 2008! My recent degree was biomedical - but I only did year 1 - I found working full time and full
yime study too hard and dropped - plus I got a my ‘dream job’ in a lab and turned out it was hell on earth. Mistake!!

Is a taught masters or research-based?

I'm doing a part time masters (aiming to complete in 2 years ) with 2.5 days of childcare a week. When all goes well it's about the right amount of time, but I'm struggling to keep up with household things. Also sickness, half term (oldest in school) the odd night with very little sleep can make it very tough.

My course is online, but sometimes contact time is scheduled on my kid days and deadlines can be set with the expectation you will be working the weekend.

From my experience waiting until you have an extra creche day would be best. Good luck! Maybe look up course texts and get reading in the interim?

I stayed mine with no kids then finished it with a toddler and twins . It was fine , you might as well do it because the babies are much intellectual stimulation and your social like will be curtailed anyway .

If it’s part time and you are motivated, disciplined and used to studying recently you will be fine with 2 days a week. I’ve always studied and worked full time since my oldest was 4, study part time obviously with working on the courses evening and weekends. You do need to have that mental rigour and there will be days you are exhausted and feel like your head might explode but there will be others that you really enjoy. I don’t want to pretend it’s easy but it’s definitely doable. If your partner is supportive and does their fair share that makes a huge difference too. Just remember if it was easy everyone would have one 😁

It’s taught for 6 modules and then a year long dissertation (2 year course)

It sounds like a good combo to me, three days would be more than doable, especially if the dissertation is in a different year as I think that's where mature students often struggle, it's hard to get all the research done and written up in that back end of the year which is a summer when the kids tend not to be off, especially if at school. I would defer to Sept if you can, either way, I think given it's a two year Masters and you have proper time off (many don't), it's great! Good luck with it all.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity.
Like anyone trying to study with small dc, it depends on having a supportive partner (and bonus points for other family members who might be willing to help out on an ad hoc basis). As has been already said - lots of people study for Masters / PhDs when their dc are small. Not to say it would be a walk in the park, but if you can make the logistics work (like childcare being at the time the lectures are, etc). go for it.

I think you've made an excellent decision to postpone until you have more dedicated time.

My MSc was pretty horrendous. My undergraduate wasn't in the Sciences and the leap was massive. It's done now. Dont tell DH I'm earmarking 2027 for a MBA 😂

@Auntybez I'm also interested in Occupational Psychology, can I ask where you are studying?