Only day to study and dd off with tonsillitis

[RavenVonChaos]

Aaargh feel like giving it all up.
Does anyone else feel totally overwhelmed by studies, family and impending Christmas?
I am seriously considering jacking it all in. This would mean losing money and face. But don't think I can cope.
Any pearls of wisdom or tips?

take all your deadlines, bring them back by 2 weeks and convince yourself that that is your deadline because they'll ALWAYS get sick for the 2 weeks before soemthing's due

once I took that for granted it went quite smoothly

Good idea. I am pretty good at churning out the work but feel that I am not retaining any info atall - due to large amounts of complex stuff. Was very motivated at start of course but feel it waning. Hoping it's just Christmas and that in January I will start enjoying it again.

as long as you just keep reading it WILL all come pouring out from somewhere when it needs to, even if it now feels like it's not going in. Read 2 sentances, close book, write the sentances - that helps to stop the words blurring after a while. Think about your learning style, put trigger words around the house, I found having a study CD you never listen to otherwise helped me to get in the zone if I only had a short block of child care - then humming it in exams helps bring the info back. But not everyone can study along to music. Write your notes on yellow incase you are slightly dislexic - easier to re-read. Get fresh air, don't increase your coffee and sugar habbit - eat well and exercise and most importantly on your non study time DON'T FEEL GUILTY - separate out your day so when you're mum you allow yourself to enjoy it, then you'll enjoy your study blocks more too

podcasts are good too if you find yourself having a book/screen/notes block

oh and don't worry that all the non parents have way more study time than you, that doesn't mean they're learning more. Others would spend a whole day in the library and do less than I would in my 2 hour slot because I made it quality study time and spent no time in the coffee shop/on face book/ gossiping etc. Its easy to waste whole days in the library without really learning anything so don't be intimidated by non parents amounts of library time

Been there. When I was doing my Masters my DD was hospitalised with swine flu and a week later I got glandular fever - great timing! It was probably the most stressful year of my life and I nearly jacked it all in a dozen times, but somehow I managed to keep going and I got my MA.

Keep at it. Do a bit of reading while DD is resting and try not to worry too much.
How sympathetic are your tutors?

Not sure about the tutors as have not approached for support yet. It's all a bit serious!

I think that when things are going well at home/work then studying works okay. As soon as there is a crisis - sick child, unsupportive family, christmas holidays and relationship trouble - it all seems way too much. I hate myself for getting into this situation in the first place really - its not my intellectual ability just my mental capacity......

Good idea about podcasts and music. Have never tried studying to music before.

Think DD is loving having complete dominance over the remote control today. She is getting better and hopefully will be back to school tomorrow. Right back to studying!