I start uni on Monday - help me!!!

[EmilyandLola]

Hey,

I've got a little girl, Lola aged 16 months

I start Uni on Monday, doing English - feel so out of my depth, trying to apply for all the funding etc, just want a little support, Im a single MUm going to be studying full time - it's going to be tough isnt it

oh, and she's at nursery for the 2nd day today and I miss her :-(

It's going to be hard, Emily, but most of the other students will also feel out of their depth too

(and it doesn't take long for students with children and family commitments to find and support each other).

ahh thats good then.

Im getting increasingly more annyoed and P'd off with the financial support in this country. Unless you call, beg, moan, pester - nothing is offered to you.

I applied for my Student Loan 3 months ago, and the LEA still havent put my course code through so nothing can be finalised and paid to me - Im at my wits end.

Apart from

Student Load Finance Direct application

Income Support
Housing Benefit
Childcare Grant

is there any thing else I'd be eligible for?

Welfare Officer at Uni seems to not care :-(

Hi Emily

I'm also a single mum studying a degree full time. My dd is 2 years old and goes to nursery 4 days a week.

I do miss her but the fact that I'm so busy with uni and she loves nursery makes it easier.

Have you seen if your uni offers any bursaries? I get a general bursary and additional assistance from the uni to cover childcare.

You can't claim income support when studying full time because your student loan/grants take you over the threshold.

Good luck with the course. It's hard work studying full time but also very rewarding.

what are you studying?

Im thinking after my degree trying to get into some education system doing a PGCE.

She's only doing 3 days at the mo, as thats all i can afford etc, my mum will have her one day but if i can get help with the childcare grant i may increase it to 4 days -

Im glad your doing this, as a single mum i think it must be so importnant doing some thing that tests your brain, and furthers you - your earning potential etc after you complete the degree, i just want to be able to provide for Lola for the future, Im only 20 and am getting very little support from her dad etc, bloody men!

I'm studying for a BA in education studies with plans to go on to a PGCE in early years.

It is not easy but like you feel it's really important that I can provide for my daughter and be a good role model for her.

My dd's father has her once a fortnight, which isn't much but is a god send when I have to get an essay finished.

What university are you going to Emily?

Univesity Campus Suffolk

Good luck.

Are you feeling nervous?

Is your finance sorted now?

you may be eligible for the parents learning allowance, £1325 towards course costs. Also apply through your Local Authority.

Also remember that the hardship fund/ALF fund at your uni is there for people like you. I applied and was refused a grant for living costs , but was given £2500 towards childcare fees. its certainly worth a go!

I started a Masters when dd was 2, though to be fair, I did it part time as I was working full time and I have the support of a SAHD.

What you are doing is setting a really good example for your daughter. We always referred to nursery as 'school'. So whenever I dropped her off at 'little girl's school' I went off to my own 'big people's school'. By the time she got to Reception, she was quite au fait with the concept of the packed school bag and homework, having grown up seeing me do it.

I can't help you with the financial aspects, but I can suggest is you set up routines so you don't get snowed under. I used to separate school from family and work. When DD was in bed, the books came out and I found I got an awful lot done on Saturday mornings when DH used to take her out while I sloped off to the library. I gave myself set timeframes e.g. 3 hours in the library on a Saturday then family time after that. It worked for me in that it concentrated my mind somewhat, no idling around in the canteen and I found I got really efficient. I also found the 2am to 4am slot incredibly useful for finishing project work.

Congratulations and good luck.

Slug my dd goes to little school whilst mummy goes to big school too.

hi, I'm new on here, and am a student single mum too. i have 2 children a 9 year old and 21 month old. my baby goes to a childminder for 3 days a week and absolutely loves it and i have a friend who helps me by taking my son to school 3 mornings a week. i find it very hard trying to balance everything, as I'm sure many people do, esp reading through this thread! i try and work when the children are in bed, and if baby has her afternoon nap- which she has today, but I'm on here instead- whoops distracted again LOL
Sarah

Hi Sarah.

What are you studying? What year are you in?

Hi Mia
I'm doin Early Childhood Studies, I'm in my first year can't beleive I'm half way through it already- its gone so fast
how are you finding it so far?
Sarah

Hi everyone

I am contemplating going back to study in september. I am 21 with a 13 month old dd, a few of you have mentioned you are studying early years at university which is also what I am wanting to do. I unfortunately have no a levels or uch and was wondering if anyone has any advice on the best entry route to a degree in ealy years with qts

depending on what work experience you have you may be able to enter as a mature student- not sure what the lower age limit for this is.
i got into my early years degree as i had been working as a childminder for 8 years. i have no a levels etc but as i had lots of experience with the children.
i know others on the course that have no experience with children but have entered the course following doing an access course, dont know if this is a possibility for you

hi guys. i went back to do my degree when dd was yr&a half, i was 21 like you little cheese. now i'm over halfway through 3rd yr-it's flown so far! broken up with dd's dad now, he helps out but she lives w me all the time, it can be a bit crazy and tiring, and my house is always a tip but it's such a boost to my confidence, i feel so proud every time i hand something in. us girls have to look after ourselves and be independant! i think i'm much more of a focused student being a mother, we are such good multi-taskers . how is it going emily?

Hiya. just thought i would let you know that im a single mum, my ds is 9 months old and i had him last year whilst doing the first year of my degree. He was born 5 days after my exams ended which was lucky. Its hard going but very rewarding when you get your assignments back and you have passed them. Make sure ur open and honest with your tutors and let them know if the work load is too much, and make sure they know about ur situation. Mine are really understanding and very accomodating. Im in my second year now and expecting baby number 2 which wasnt very well timed and will make life just that bit more fun but its honestly a really good thing in a way having a child about whilst studying as it makes you more focused and makes you determined to pass as your children are relying on u. Ur daughter will be really proud of you when she's older!

charlotte good luck with baby. studying and being pregnant must be hard work.
i agree with what you say its great when you have dc to focus on. i have to remind myself sometimes that i am exhausting myself for them lol.
but when i have got each of my results it has shown that it is worth it, but the last essay i handed in- i dont want the results for, its bad and i know it
but seriously anyone considering it- go for it, i have been umming and arring for years. decided to go for it this year and am loving it. its made me so much more focused on the important things