When the hell will my university issue a timetable so I can sort out childcare ?!

[Peggotty]

I'm getting really frustrated waiting for a timetable for the course I'm starting in September - when do universities generally release timetables? I really really need to sort out childcare now. I sent them an email a few weeks ago and haven't heard anything. I'm starting to feel stressed and anxious about it as I want to be able to tell my dc what will be happening - they have been used to always having me around, my dd in particular is really resistant to change and sensitive and it would help her if I could tell her what day she'd be in after school club etc. Arrghhhh!

DD didn't get hers until late Aug/early Sept I seem to recall.

oh crap!! Its a course with a high number of mature students/students with dc, I'm really hoping it would be sooner.

My course starts the very end of September, the timetable is released early Sept complete PITA

I am going into my second year and was given next years timetable back in April. last year we got them sent out around June IIRC certainly plenty of notice thankfully.

I would try to phone them and explain you need to know ASAP

This is always a really busy time for universities with exam boards and graduation. Try calling up your department office this week to see if anyone can advise you. Mention the childcare issue.

Unfortunately many universities can't finalise timetables until close to the start of term as space is very tight so they need to know how many students are taking each module.

DD needed to know last year because of timetabling issues at the school she worked in. The uni did try to let her know early but it just didn't happen. In the end DD had to resign from work because she couldn't commit to the hours she'd be available as she didn't know what days she'd be at uni and what days she'd have free to work.

Thanks I'll try ringing them. This is my first experience of trying to sort childcare - nightmare!!!

I had this problem two years ago before beginning at university; I'm now understanding more fully that depending on the course structure, it wasn't the lecture timetabling that was the problem, it's the seminars/tutorials that are impossible to predict at this stage because of not knowing yet precise numbers/room availability within the building etc.

You may have to be patient a while longer.

I am having the exact same problem and the uni has told me I will not get it until I start in September!