anyone FT undergraduate? How do you find fitting in with other student s goes when you have kids?

[JennyLee]

I am in 3rd year at uni and have been a student since my ds was 2 when i started with an access course. I find everyone else in my year is childless and so I am the odd one out. also feel guilty sometimes when I am busy with assignments any comments greatly appreciated!!

Me too

I'm also about the only mature student in one of my courses. I can fit in with the others when they chat to me, but I don't have time to hang about for a coffee or to meet in the Union bar so thats makes me stand out a bit... I also feel bad when working for assignments, I have 3 exams this week and the guilt is killing me.

Yes, I find it hard to refuse going for a drink too, it always sounds lame, that I have to get back and I feel like sometimes the lecturers are a bit impatient about it too see me as another moaning mature student with a kid.

All our assignments were due in december and on the same week with exams the following week, it is hard, but it is not all the time! so keep that in mind the exams will be over and then there will be spaces with no big assignments - but it is hard when you are in the middle of it I know! I consider giving up sometimes but then it would all have been for nothing. stay strong!! it is not forever

JennyLee-looks like i have opposite problem-dp is at Uni(final year!) so he is out drinking with all those childless friends while i am her indoors with dd and ds

He went out at 6.30pm last night and arrived home at 9am.Men just cant say know to that odd beer!

Is true they can't and it is never just one either !

notasheep???? you dont mind that your husbadn was out that long? you must have a very understandign relationship...

What a relief to know other peolple in same boat.
I had dd in my 2nd yr of F/T degree took a semester off. Before I had dd I socialised with other students on Access course as well as at uni. But now I feel so alienated adn also keep thinking about giving up or going part-time. I am totally exhausted all of time and really lack motivation at mo.

How does everyone pick themselves up and just keep going when you have 5 essays and piles of clothes and housework to do????

Message withdrawn

What gets me is mountains of laundry and the reading you are supposed to do, it is overwhelming sometimes. Try and get through it and even if you need to take a break from it, you can always go back. I feel like that all the time I often want to stay at home with DS but now my family expect me to get honours and so on.

I am also always tired and it is constant pressure in term time.

I found it stressful enough at uni before I had kids...the academic pressure, being short of money, social commitments, lack of proper sleep - I don't know how mature students with children cope at all. I know what it's like when your family expect the impossible too!!...keep going Jenny, you are doing something wonderful for your future and your children's future.

Thank you so much meanoldmummy for that lovely post, it is good to hear other peoples experience of university, means that it is not just me who finds it challenging.