Pregnant & want to go to Uni

[lemonjuice19]

Hey guys,
Recently found out I’m pregnant and I’m at college full time and hoping to go to uni next year. Was hoping I could get some advice on what to do and how to get a degree with a baby if it’s possible 😭

Would you be looking at a September start? When are you due as it may be very close to the academic intake. I’d get in touch with the university you have been looking at. Their admissions team will be able to assist / signpost to departments internally they can advise you with regards to workload, contact hours, student loans etc so you can plan childcare and money etc.

Hello, don't worry, it's possible of course! I'm not going to say it won't be hard work and sometimes it won't be easy but definitely possible. There's lots of help and support available. Is there someone at college you can have a chat to, a tutor or someone like that? I'm sure they can help you talk through your options and concerns. At Uni I'm certain there'll be creche facilities of some sort. Perhaps contact the University you are thinking of attending and explain your situation and see what they can help with! Good luck and congratulations!

I found out I was pregnant six weeks after I started a two year full time course. I had the baby and went back after the summer and she was 11weeks. It was hard work but I managed it and gained a good pass. I missed a distinction because I didn’t do as well on the multi choice paper. DH hadn’t got up that morning to look after her and take the others to school and I scraped in with five minutes to spare. I was furious with him. I could find a parking space nearby and I had to run all the way.
I must add I breast fed her until a week before I went back and continued morning and night feeds until she was 18 months. I sometimes fed her with a book in one hand and baby in the other. If you are determined enough you can do it. Otherwise defer for a year. Check Uni’s facilities some have crèches. Our college didn’t but they did later on. Good luck.

I'd also check how much contact hours there are and what's recorded and what's not. I work at a uni at the moment, our courses are roughly 4 hours a day with independent study on top but obviously some days have pretty much full days. I've also worked at unis with 8.30 starts and lectures finishing at 6 so this could cause childcare issues too. Talk to the university way in advance to check what help and support there is before making a definite decision. It might be more reasonable to take further study when your child is older or online courses (I'm currently finishing an MA with Uni of Nottingham). Good luck to you though!

Thank you guys, this helped amazingly! I’m going to continue with my course, I’m 4 weeks! I have time to think but I’m leaning more towards deferring a year and working until I can afford uni? Then I’ll email the unis and ask loads of questions!! I’m 20 so it came as a shock but I’m happy. 🥰

Just came on to say that DD discovered she was pregnant whilst a student. She stayed on to complete her degree and finished with a first from a RG university. It was hard work and exhausting for her at times but it can be done. Good luck.

Hello,
I'm a mature student. I found out I was pregnant 2 months before my finals and am 32 weeks now and finishing my degree in May hopefully. It is tough but I think it is actually easier being pregnant at uni than when working. Usually days are shorter (i can leave at 3pm instead of 6 or 7) and uni is quite flexible.
I think the most difficult thing about studying and having a small child might be the financial issue as child care is expensive. But maybe you are eligible for financial support?
Also, if you can afford to defer then do it. You're still young and there's plenty of time but you won't ever get the time back that you might miss with your baby.

I think I can do this! I think I’m going to have a gap year to work and then go to uni when the baby is around 1/2? Or is that a bad idea? I just don’t want a newborn in child care when I’d want to be looking after it but I’ve not got a lot of money sadly:(

Is it an option for you to go to a uni near home/family?

I went back to do my masters when dd was 2. I got 15 hours free childcare, paid for an extra 5 on top of this and DM took DD o e day a week so I managed fine.

If you wait until DC is 2 you should be eligible for some free childcare, in addition, a student with a dependent is eligible for housing benefit plus you'll get the childcare element - around £250 a month. Check universal credit. It's hard but doable

I think the main thing may be you feel you miss out on uni life is the social aspect but this may not matter to you (didn't to me during undergraduate days although I was child free I hated partying).

Sorry I wrote the reply assuming you were a single parent which I was. Apologies. If you Dp is working or you own a home together some of these benefits won't apply.

No it’s okay!! I have a boyfriend, we live together in a council house as we were both homeless for a while. He has a little job but it doesn’t pay more than £30 a week. To go to uni I’d need to go to Edinburgh and I live nearer Glasgow, and I have no family in Edinburgh to support me so it would just be me and my partner. :(
Hopefully I’ll figure it out soon, this really helped! Thank you so much 💗

I definitely think defer for a year, as the baby would presumably be born mid August?

I sat my A levels when DD was weeks old (and got 3 As) then did a Chemistry degree at a Russell Group Uni with DD in tow. It absolutely can be done. Speak to citizens advice and the Uni's you're interested in to get a feel for what support you might be offered. It might be a good idea to draw up a draft budget for various stages (when you're home with baby, finishing college with baby in childcare, at Uni with baby in childcare) to see if the support you'll get is sufficient.