Any mature students with kids?

Hi I started my first year and I am a mature students with kids and I commute daily to Uni. Anyone in the same boat as me and how are you finding or coping with it?

Reply 1

ErasistratusV

It's a tough gig, I can't deny that.

Much will depend upon your proximity to your chosen Uni and how much travel time is involved.

I was leaving home at 0630 daily and not arriving back home until 1930 most evenings, throw in a couple of hours of private study on top and I had little real time for much parenting- I certainly could not have coped with the school run.

Reply 2

Rittahb

Thanks for taking your time to reply. It's definitely a tough gig. I leave home around 5:45 and get home around 19:30 sometimes . Hopefully I will get that hang of it coz I am always tired I do most of my private study on days off or when I have a few lectures . How many days did / do you go to Uni?

Reply 3

PinkMobilePhone

I have 4 kids (11, 15, 17 and 19) but I don't commute - I study at home.

Reply 4

Rittahb

Hi @PinkMobilePhone thank you for taking time to reply. How are you finding it juggling kids and Uni? My kids kids are 4,7&10.

Reply 5

PinkMobilePhone

Original post by Rittahb

Hi @PinkMobilePhone thank you for taking time to reply. How are you finding it juggling kids and Uni? My kids kids are 4,7&10.

It's not too bad, but my kids are obviously a little older. They were 8, 12, 14 and 16 when I started back at uni.
The younger ones are home educated so they're mostly in online classes. I do have to hang a Do Not Disturb sign on my door sometimes otherwise they come barging in, but on the whole it's alright.

I imagine commuting for you, especially as your kids are younger, must be challenging.

Reply 6

Rittahb

Original post by PinkMobilePhone

It's not too bad, but my kids are obviously a little older. They were 8, 12, 14 and 16 when I started back at uni.
The younger ones are home educated so they're mostly in online classes. I do have to hang a Do Not Disturb sign on my door sometimes otherwise they come barging in, but on the whole it's alright.
I imagine commuting for you, especially as your kids are younger, must be challenging.

It is quite challenging. I leave when the kids are asleep and come home sometimes when they are about to go to bed. I find it hard to squeeze in private study time especially when I have had a long day. I do try to do some study time if I have 1 Lec in the afternoon then I go in the morning so I can have time to do some study. I am doing diagnostic Radiology course and it's mostly 4 or 5 days.

Reply 7

Tommcc1288

Original post by Rittahb

Hi I started my first year and I am a mature students with kids and I commute daily to Uni. Anyone in the same boat as me and how are you finding or coping with it?

2 kids, 4yo and 2yo. Also working part time which has completely fully booked Monday-Friday doing one and a half days in the office and a morning from home. I'm in uni Monday-Thursday but managed to space out my lectures/tutorials so I've mostly got an hour's break in between. I use that time, and the time commuting to get reading done and look over upcoming lecture powerpoints to get context.

Got a wall planner in which I schedule what I'm doing day by day regarding prep for lectures/tutorials/assignments. That gets wiped clean every Sunday and I plan to following week. I take time with the kids for dinner/bath time/bed time through the week and then getting this work done after they've went to sleep. Trying to get out with them at the weekend too, but if I find myself sitting about the house at the weekend- there's generally something to be getting on with to keep upto speed. Also keeping leave banked from work for when assignment deadlines/exams roll round.

My fiancee's an absolute champion for holding down the fort through the week though- we've got the 4yo in nursery 4 days a week, and the 2yo one day a week until she's 3, so slowly but surely she's getting beyond deserved time to herself back.

Reply 8

Rittahb

Original post by Tommcc1288

2 kids, 4yo and 2yo. Also working part time which has completely fully booked Monday-Friday doing one and a half days in the office and a morning from home. I'm in uni Monday-Thursday but managed to space out my lectures/tutorials so I've mostly got an hour's break in between. I use that time, and the time commuting to get reading done and look over upcoming lecture powerpoints to get context.
Got a wall planner in which I schedule what I'm doing day by day regarding prep for lectures/tutorials/assignments. That gets wiped clean every Sunday and I plan to following week. I take time with the kids for dinner/bath time/bed time through the week and then getting this work done after they've went to sleep. Trying to get out with them at the weekend too, but if I find myself sitting about the house at the weekend- there's generally something to be getting on with to keep upto speed. Also keeping leave banked from work for when assignment deadlines/exams roll round.
My fiancee's an absolute champion for holding down the fort through the week though- we've got the 4yo in nursery 4 days a week, and the 2yo one day a week until she's 3, so slowly but surely she's getting beyond deserved time to herself back.

Oh wow!! You are a super woman. I don't know how you do all that! Thank you so so much. You have given me so many ideas which I will implement. I find Uni hard work as it is. I don't think I can cope with a partner time job. What course are you doing?

Reply 9

ErasistratusV

Depending on your course you may have to attend every day. That was certainly the case for me. Much depends on the length of your commute and how mind-taxing it is. Get home, do an hour or two and go to bed. It might mean you have to hit the books at weekends. As a mature student you have the advantage of real-world experience of the workplace. Treat studying as work, stay determined and focused and organised. You'll do fine. If there are dozens of first years running around handing in work minutes before the deadline and cramming content two weeks before the exam and still passing, you will manage it nicely.

Don't be too hard on yourself regarding studying and it taking some precedence over family life etc- your children will see you studying, take on board the importance of your work and adopt the same attitude to school and homework which will set them in good stead for their own academic progress.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 10

WrexhamUniReps

Official Rep

Original post by Rittahb

Hi I started my first year and I am a mature students with kids and I commute daily to Uni. Anyone in the same boat as me and how are you finding or coping with it?

Hi,

Don't let the fact that you're a mature student hold you back, you've got this far and you'll do amazingly!

There are many mature students returning to education with or without children; some of the students at Wrexham University have shared what it's like to be a mature student and I've attached this blog below - whilst it may be different to your University hopefully this will help reassure you!

https://wrexham.ac.uk/blog/posts/mature-student-blog/

No matter the university you attend there will be support out there for you; if you're struggling let someone know and they'll do their best to help you. 🙂

Good luck and I wish you well in your studies!
Shannon - Bsc Childrens Nursing