Is Uni family friendly?

[pencilpotmonitor]

I know I'm asking a 'how long is a piece of string?' type question, and the answer largely depends on what you're studying, but I'll ask anyway

I'm considering applying to study Educatuion Studies with Sociology at my local uni. At the moment I work part time, term time only. It would be the perfect job except that I'm paid minumum wage and would like to increase my earning potential. But I don't want to miss out on my children's school activities...assemblies, sports days etc.

So how friendly would uni be? Would I be around to pick up most days? Can you miss the odd lecture for child illness/assemblies/sports days etc?

Thank you Mumsnetters

Well that's a shame, but don't give up
On to the next......

No sign of a reply yet.

How's the planning going?

Any news Belle? Don't give up!

Erm....plans. I've emailed the uni I like, and they've said I can apply this year, so next step is the Open day later this month. Eeeek!

I don't find Uni family friendly. There is no facility to record lectures if you cannot find childcare. Lectures, as stated before, end at 6pm so I have to juggle childcare. You work through school holidays/half terms. I have had to remain part time as I just couldn't work out how to fit in four children and attending Uni Full Time. Let alone Tesco's, washing and the endless homework, of both mine and the childrens...

There are very few mature students on my course also which dosen't help with the understanding or support. But that isn't the Uni's fault!

The NUS did a report on student parents a year or two ago. I think the conclusion was pretty much that uni wasn't family friendly... I found the report really interesting reading - can't find the full thing online anymore, but there is a summary here

I went to uni full time when DD was 3/4 years old and it was brilliant. I never missed a sports day or a school play and could stay at home if she wasn't well because no-one cares if you go to lectures. I even took her to lectures when I had to and luckily everyone thought she was cute, she would copy from the overheads and show off her work at the end lol I had her in the union, in the club and in classes and she loved it.

I only had two problems. One was a lecturer who refused to accept my essay late because my DD was ill. I didn't have a pc at home at the time and couldn't go out with her being so ill so it was late, it might also have been hand written. This lecturer wanted me to get a doctors note for my DD, ridiculous! I saw my adviser of studies who sorted it out for me and I submitted without any penalties.

The second issue was I wanted to do a class that finished at 6pm, it worked out ok because my Dad was around to help. You do get to choose your courses up to a point and you can see the timetable at time of choosing.

I really would advise anyone to go for it

mmsmum, the timetable thing probably varies by university. We only got given the timetable the first week of term.