Thinking about doing a degree but really scared!!!

[schneebly]

Hi
I am currently a SAHM and have have 2 DSs aged 2.10 and 17 months. DS1 will be going to nursery 12.5 hours PW as of August and I have a friend who will take DS2 a couple or mornings per week while DS2 is at nursery. Would I be mad to try and study for a degree - it is mostly online learning so I could also do some work in the evenings when DSs are in bed and I am usually Mnetting! It is a course I really want to do and by the time I completed it would be around the time I would be looking to re-join the workforce. I am just really worried that I will not cope - I feel like I need more mental stimulation and want good prospects for the future but not sure how I would manage. What do you guys think?

A degree sounds nice, and I always thought I'd do one, but haven't yet. And a lot of correspondence courses are the type that promise "guaranteed earnings of £xxxxxx or your money back", and that just makes them sound a bit disreputable. Besides, I think they are only worried about getting published by hook or by crook - nothing against publication, you understand - but I think a bit of writing for the sake of it and to develop the art is necessary too.

Of course a combined degree in writing, Swedish, homoeopathy and beetle identification would be just the thing...

there 's internet groups though, aren't there? the woman who wrote that midwifey book...babycatcher, she bascially wrote it on insipration and encouragement from them, i think. I keep meaning to dig it up.

benasontoast- that's exactly what I do, the MN to a deadline thing LOL

And SallyS has issues with it I believe

Perhaps I'll trawl the internet for inspirational groups then.

Thanks to everyone who has given advice and shared their experiences - I really appreciate it. I had no idea how many student Mnetters there were! I can't believe how excited/nervous I am about this - I guess I really want it. I made a couple of phone calls earlier and have been given conflicting advice regarding funding so have now been told to just go ahead with my application for the course and if I get offered a place to apply to the student awards agency and see what happens! I guess I will just have to wait and find out 0 off to work on my personal statement for the application - I will post it here and maybe you lot can let me know if it is crap! Cheers!

Hi,
Not done this before very new to it so please bear with me. I have kids 3 DS's 16, 8 and 8 and 1 son 14. I work p/t and doing a f/t degree in health and community studies. It is hard work but nothing beats that sense of achievment when you complete an assignment for the submission date and manage to pass it. Kids are not neglected it is such a feel good factor when you achieve something for you so if you have the opportunity go for it.

Thanks carnation - I am really pleased you are enjoying it and I hope it is the same for me.

It is hard work, but it sounds like you have taken the first step so good luck with it.:)

right - have posted my personal statement \link{http://mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2240&threadid=183125\here} see what you think!

i did my OU degree with 2 kids under 6,and working part time, actually didnt find it too bad, just did enough to get by! it isnt lonely and it is enjoyable, you will be really proud of yourself when you finish! i did humanities but now want to do speech therapy ...
do it, its really not that bad!!

Thanks sophynoo! It is great to hear so many of you being positive about your experiences.