full time online degree, part time job and expecting a baby

[kay06072021]

I’m looking for as much advice and encouragement as I can get.

I’m only 20, and my life has changed and completely gone in a different direction than what I had planned.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m so blessed to
be having a baby, and it’s a happy
time, but I will be honest, we used protection and did not plan for this to happen right now, we’re calling it ‘a happy accident’. We can’t wait to meet our bundle of joy, but I’m unbelievably stressed about the future, so much so I can barely sleep.

I’m studying a full time primary teaching degree with the Open University, as this is my dream job. I also work 30 hours a week and am obviously expecting a baby. I’m still in my first year of uni.

my question is, am I totally insane? Do I need to give up my degree? or can I manage with all three commitments? my baby will be 3/4 when I finish and after maternity leave they will go to the nursery I work in.

Any and all advice welcome, don’t sugar coat it, please be honest with me!

im in the same boat, just a year younger, and i do my OU degree part time instead so i can balance my time a little better. they're really supportive of student parents- email your tutor!! and congratulations on your happy accident

Whats your support network like? I have a 9 month old, a job and am doing a postgrad uni course (job related), and tbh I couldnt do much more.

It's going to be bloody hard but it's possible!!

What I do suggest is before you make any decisions about your course, speak to the OU and find out what your options are and what support they could offer you to enable you to continue with the course.

I am sure you will find a solution somewhere

Congratulations on the baby.

You're young, so that's definitely in your favour. You'll have more energy so that's great.

It depends on so many factors - how much support you will get from your partner, family, friends is crucial. Whether you have money to get outside help at times, even things like being able to afford to get a takeaway instead of cooking every night, or buying ready made food for the baby for some meals, is something to consider. My husband did everything for the first few months, cooking, cleaning, dog walking etc.

I know the OU is pretty flexible but the thing is that for some people if they give it up, they never get back into it so that would definitely be something I'd try to hold onto.

As an ex-teacher, teaching is really really hard and I can't imagine doing it with a baby though...there is just so much pressure all the time. But again, you are young and some people deal with it better than others.

I'm intrigued - how does the OU provide a primary teaching degree? What happens about teaching practice?

Are you talking about juggling these commitments after maternity leave or during it? If during then yes you're insane, & it would disadvantage your baby.

It’s totally possible but a full time course and a 30 hour a week job won’t work with a baby. Providing the baby is in nursery 4-5 days per week then I would say the job and part time course or the full time course with maybe 10 hours work.

I did a full time masters and worked part time with a one year old, it was workable but every minute of my time was filled and there was absolutely no time for me. I regularly studied in the evening until 11/12. It was worth it and I actually enjoyed it, you just need to be committed.

Congratulations 🎉

I’m studying ft with OU and just had a baby, will be going back ft work soon too. Babies are pretty boring to begin with so studying is done when they sleep/feed.

It depends on your ability, expect grades to drop because your attention will be so fragmented. Every minute counts. Good luck, I’ve been up since 4:30 doing my tma, baby wanted boob and has gone back but I’ve just stayed up.

Employers will think it’s fab too ime

@Aubergina

Are you talking about juggling these commitments after maternity leave or during it? If during then yes you're insane, & it would disadvantage your baby.

You’re not insane. It won’t harm your baby.

I do my OU degree part time however I deferred last year’s module as it was mad, business disappeared and 3 kids and a baby got too much when Covid hit, I couldn’t concentrate, wasn’t producing my best work or enjoying it.
I have studied with pregnancy and babies, worked part time and other kids, it’s hard and you need support but can be doable. Have you considered deferring a module and going part time? My husband is my only support and would of been impossible to study with the babies had he not ushered me to my desk and told me to get on it with it, whilst attending to all the kids leaving me without disturbance.
Motivation can be hard too and you have to enjoy your studies in my opinion, as sitting there until 1am writing TMA’s is hard. Good luck op.

How much maternity leave will you take from work? Are you planning to literally continue your course within days of having the baby?

It wont harm your baby. What a ridiculous statement. It'll just be really hard work.

To the poster who asked about teaching through the OU - they organise placements for you. Im a nurse and we have a load of OU students, so I imagine its much the same.

I'm working FT (wfh at the moment), have a 9 month old and doing an OU degree at 90 credits per year so 3/4 time. It's hard, don't get me wrong, but it's worth it. I did lots of study when baby was napping in the early weeks, now I do it after she's gone to bed.
You're not insane, nor will you damage your child. I'm as unorganised as they get, but having to juggle the three has certainly taught be some skills! Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck with the rest of your degree!

"If during then yes you're insane, & it would disadvantage your baby."

For God's sake.

Ignore the poster saying it will damage your baby. That's not true in the slightest and by working towards your future you will be improving your baby's future too!

Not quite the same but I returned to work (working from home exclusively) 5 weeks after having my baby last year. It was easier in the early months than it is now (she would sleep a lot whereas now at 9 months she wants my interaction a lot more) so I would say it depends on your support network. My DH helps out a lot in terms of cooking/cleaning/looking after DD if I need to get something done.

I have also done an OU degree so I know how full on they can be but I also know that the benefit of them is that they can be flexible if needed, you might have to extend the time it takes to finish your degree but I'm sure you will get there in the end! I worked full time when I did mine and completed it over 5 years, it's one of my greatest accomplishments!

I'm not sure the set up of your degree (mine was scientific) so I had a couple of residentials which obviously meant my DH had to supportive as I was away. It seems like yours might have a placement? Will you have the support to do this?

Do you intend to go back to working 30 hours after maternity leave or could you afford to drop your hours slightly to give you more time? Will you have family support with childcare or will you be paying for nursery etc. These are all things you can consider in your decision.

If I were in your position I would have a look at when the next modules of your degree start, then I'd maybe consider planning to study up to when baby is about 5/6 months (this is when I found my DD wanted more interaction - before that I could work with her on my knee when feeding/cuddling) and then I would reassess. I'd consider taking a break from studying at the point you go back to work so you can ease yourself into each new routine.

It's certainly doable, I just think you need to consider the support you have and the fact that you will have a difficult few years but it will be worth it in the end!

Congratulations and good luck!

thank you! I would be happy to consider dropping some hours at work, and i’m lucky enough in the sense that I work in the nursery they will attend so I get my childcare half price!

thank you for your advice x