Doing a degree with small children?

[colie]

Has anyone managed this. I am due to go back and complete my first year (in nov) in the Social work degree. 50% of the acedemic year is spent on full time placement.

I am looking for words of wisdom!
Along the lines of "I managed it with 8 under 3"{wink}

My kids are just 6,3 and 8 months.

Advice greatly received!

I am really envious of you!! Go for it!!!

I wanted to go to Uni but I have 3 kids and the hours didnt fit around school times.

I have been studying with the Open University for what seems like an eternity - I have 2 years left to graduate.

I wish you all the luck - you will be fine

I am just about to go into the second year of my social work degree, however my boys aren't as young as your children, they were 4 and 10 when I started.

I didn't have a proper placement as such in my first year but go straight into a four month full-time placement in two weeks.

I have found that it has been hard but more manageable than I thought it would be.

Only time will tell how I cope with being on my placement ( I am very anxious about it).

I think trying to get into some kind of routine is helpful, I am militant about bedtime during term time so I can work in the evening.

I think you will be fine, good luck

hi! im about to go into my final year of a forensic science and psychology degree. My DS was only 10 months old wheen i returned after taking a a year out to have him, and not miss alll those lovely things that they do in the first year!

plus do you have a partner/ family about? if so will he be able to help, then again im a lone parent and i manage fine, although it really helps that family live over the road.

i would advise you to make sure that you are organised, it comes with practice as you will know, i tend to record all lectures and then listen to them on route to the same one a week later, plus i write how many weeks untill assignments etc are due in in my diary so that you know where you are up to.

i think you will be fine tho, including placements. good luck anyway not that you will need it! xx

I am looking to start a Social Work degree in 2009, so will be watching this thread with interest - I will have a 3 year old and a 6 year old.

hi, lots of mothers go back to study as long as you are organized and have good childcare you should be fine. I'm starting a midwifery degree next week. so will be doing shifts in placement hospital too, it will be very hard I'm sure. I just hope I can fit everything in.

You will do just fine

I went back to study at 31 with dd who was 9 and ds just 9 months.
I dont have any family support nearby but my childminder was fantastic and I found placements very accommodating to students (i was doing nursing).

Have just qualified with a 2:1 and am now just terrified of working

Good luck, have faith in yourself and you can do it

Thanks ladies. you's all seem to have so much faith in me. I do have a supportive dh who will watch kids every evening and weekend so as I can study. CAn't afford childcare full time. so will have to give up family time at weekends etc. to study.

I am so panicking now wondering what possessed me to want to do this in the first place. Feeling guilty already about missing out on them in the future.

Mosschops-well done, especially on getting a 2.1 with no family support nearby. I will be delighted just to pass.