Please tell me why I am going back to uni, I'm panicking!

[beansmum]

I'm moving back to NZ at the end of jan (after 9yrs over here), and going to start uni in feb. I was planning on phoning the uni to apply to enrol last night (totally different system there, no selection process or interviews etc) but I ended up getting all panicky and putting it off until today. I do want to do it, I'm just worried that I wont cope, and if I don't cope I will be so far away from any family and I'm scared!

It is the right thing to do isn't it? Positive stories about being an adult student with a child please!

I'm a single mother with a 5yo daughter. I'm just starting the 3rd (and final) year of my maths degree. I must admit it has been hard, but I'm sure it will be worth while in the end. I was looking for work for 2 years and didn't get anywhere, before deciding to start university.
I have a friend who is also a single mother, who has recently graduated, and is now doing a masters (sociology).
It really is worth while. I have made so many friends and am really enjoying my course.
I think you should go for it. What's the worst that can happen? It'll be great, I'm sure

This is my second year of studentness. I have 2 DSs and a DH who is away most of the week (Gen M-F). And I LOVE IT!

In fact would go far as to say I would go totally insane without it.

I'm really worried about making friends, I've been so much on my own since I had ds I've forgotten how to talk to people, and I'm worried about coping with the workload. I'm going to be doing a double degree, which isn't LOADS more work than a single degree, but is still a bit daunting. I'm worried that ds will feel a bit ignored as well, he'll have to go into full time preschool until June and then school and possibly an after school club. he's used to being with me all the time. I'm worried about everything.

I was worried about making friends too, but it just kinda happened!
The workload can be quite tough, but you just have to try and keep on top of it (I spend too much time gossiping and drinking coffee, but that's my social life and I do my work at night.)
DD was with me 24/7 until I started uni. Then she was in full time nursey. She is now in school and after school club 4 nights a week and has to go to holiday club sometimes. I'm lucky as she loves it, but at the end of the day, you will feel guilty. You just have to keep in mind that this is the best thing you can do in the long term, and you and your DS will have a better life because of it.
I was worried about everything too. But what's the point in worrying? You have to give it a go, and I'm sure you won't regret it.

Friends do just happen _ I too have made some great friends - some 10 years older, some 10 years younger. And NONE of them have kids, and actually I quite like that - no constant chatter about kids 'stuff'( that sounds awful but I don't mean it to be). Really just nice somehow !

Good luck - you will get in the swing of it in no time - MAKE THE CALL !

I was at uni before I had ds, had loads of friends, but then when I went back after having him, into the middle of a course where everyone knew everyone else I felt really out of place. I didn't graduate in the end and I suppose that is worrying me too. I know a lot of things have changed since then, ds is older for a start, but I'm just not convinced I am capable of completing anything.

But the main thing that has changed since then, is that you want this more.
You are capable of completing it, and need to have more confidence in yourself.
I had no self confidence when I started (2 weeks late!) but friends do happen, and I know loads of people who I can chat to when taking different modules to the people in my 'friendship group'. I also meet lecturers for coffee as many of them have kids the same age as DD. I've met people at nursery and school. No doubt, there will be a mature student association or some such, and there is also a student parent network here (with Facebook group!)
Please, stop worrying and just get on with it. You will regret it for the rest of your life if you don't.
Good luck

Thanks, I just needed a bit of reassurance I think. I will call. Not tonight, I'm still stressing about my course choices, but definitely this week. I do have to do it really, I can't stay at home with ds forever.

I STILL can't decide which courses to take! There are a 4-5 which I have to do but then I have another 2-3 to choose and they could be ANYTHING. I'm trying to get them to fit into school hours so I can't actually choose anything, but I still have a pretty long list of possibilities. I think I just need to give myself a deadline, maybe call on Sunday night.

I don't know how it works, but isn't it possible to choose something, then change your mind later? (I quite frequently do this with modules. We can do this up until the 3rd week of term) At least you will have enrolled that way, and you can have a think afterwards!

You're right. I should probably just enrol with the ones I have in mind at the moment, I can change up until 2 weeks after the start of the course. I think I have pretty much decided now but I'll give myself until Sunday anyway, just to avoid the hassle of changing if I don't have to.

beansmum, have you enrolled yet?
I'm just here to give you a kick up the backside if you haven't!

No! They're 12hrs ahead so I'll phone tonight, Monday morning there.

I do have my courses sorted out though, I have made lots of pretty charts to work out how my choices affect my options in year 2 and coloured them in and made a timetable for next year (also very pretty). I'm still scared though!

I love pretty charts! I change my mind so often, I get to make loads of them!

Of course you're scared, you wouldn't be human otherwise.
I'm scared too, starting 3rd year tomorrow, and still messing round with my module choices despite the fact that anything will do at this stage to get through my degree!

I'm sure the scared feeling will lessen soon and the excitement will follow

eek. I'm going to do it! Right now!

Have fun tomorrow trumpetgirl, or as much fun as you can with maths. (I did 2.5 yrs of a maths degree, I hated it)

YAY!

Thanks, I will have fun tomorrow. It'll be good to see everyone again, even if some of the lectures are crap!