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KiwiWonder
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Topic: Studying Mamas Posted: 10 July 2008 at 10:32am |
I am going back to full time study this coming semester (i.e, just over a week away  ) for 'hopefully' just one semester (finish a BA I started pre-kids)
Unfortunately, it's not extramural at all, so involves me going in to lectures / classes etc.
Care of children will be primarily managed between DH and MIL at this point (by the looks of things at least) but involves very little arranged care other than the hours I need to be at classes as both DH and MIL are still working
So I know there's a few mother's here who've studied either full or part time while they had kids.... do you have any tips to share? I'm quite worried / nervous about the whole thing really... but it would be nice to have the degree completed even if I do nothing with it
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kebakat
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Posted: 10 July 2008 at 10:44am |
I'm doing my study extramurally so I can't really help with the classes side of things. Keeping on top of work is the biggest tip I've seen in studying threads. Start assignments nice and early so you dont have a big rush to finish them.
I've started my study already for this coming semester. I've read up about my assignments and have started making lists of things I need to read etc to do them.
I think you just need to be organised.
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Paws
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Posted: 10 July 2008 at 12:53pm |
Well I still think you should have come to Massey with me but hey!!
Seriously though, I think organisation and planning is going to be key! Set aside time each day when DH or MIL can take Z and K so you can study and work on assignments etc. Otherwise make sure you set aside time when they have gone to bed.
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Natalie_G
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Posted: 10 July 2008 at 8:54pm |
I passed my last paper till after the bub is born woo hoo.
I will be taking a break probably until mid next year, we shall see how it will go. I study extramually and work full time, i am studying Bachelor of Accountancy at Massey. Man its hard work lol.
How did everyone else do?
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 10 July 2008 at 10:13pm |
Last semester I did on campus study. When you are out there for classes make sure that you do some study out there as well as you will have un interupted study time out there.
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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Paws
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Posted: 11 July 2008 at 5:44am |
Dagster wrote:
How did everyone else do? |
I passed last semester too much to my shock! B- in Sociology for me. w00t!
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Candkids
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Posted: 11 July 2008 at 3:51pm |
theres a huge thread on this i think in the 1st baby 2nd baby or more section.
im dreading my course material arriving, i soooo cant get motivated
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EnJsmum
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Posted: 31 July 2008 at 8:41pm |
I'm doing full time law 1 hour away from home. My advise would be to prepare the kids (or at least the 2 year old)so they know where you are going (take her for a tour around uni if you can) andorginise everything in advance. But most importantly work out what the important thing in life are and comprimise the rest, because no matter how fantastic the people supprting you are they will not do everything the same way you would! I have to rfemind myself that there is no "right" way to do the dishes or vachuming or the dinner. It sounds silly I know but just ignoring the little things has saved my sanity!
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ooEvaoo
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Posted: 01 August 2008 at 10:49am |
Yup definitely prioritise your time, try and get as many hours as you can outside of lectures etc to study and do assignments. I'm studying fulltime on campus and Kahtrell is in daycare. I've got him in there for 44 hours a week though he definitely doesn't spend that long, I've just booked more hours so that if need be I can get in more hours of study, or I can spend time with him at the day care before and after classes. With my partner doing office shift work I really do need to fit in everything like school, study, house work, time with Kahtrell etc. But it is managable. To my surprise I averaged A++ in my three semester papers last semester, and in my full year papers As. Because I'm having to balance study and home, I've now decided to change degrees next year (from nursing to Occupational Therapy) as the clinical hours are too much for me.....I really don't fancy being away till 11pm at night on placements!...so that's another 3 years study to add to my ever mounting student loan lolz.
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LittleBug
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Posted: 01 August 2008 at 11:51am |
I'm back at study, it's hard slog with Chloe as she has only got Fridays at daycare, so Monday's she's with my sister, Tues with a friend, Weds I have no classes so I'm at home with her, thurs someone looks after her for a couple of hours and Friday she's in daycare.
I'm really struggling atm because I found out I'm pregnant again and the nausea and exhaustion is really a battle. But before that I was really enjoying it, it was great to have the time away and realise that you are more than just a mummy sometimes. It feels good to be achieving something for yourself. And while it is crazy and busy, it is doable!!
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Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years).
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nikkitheknitter
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Posted: 01 August 2008 at 12:06pm |
All I can say is that should you need to procrastinate, OhBaby and TNN are brilliant for that.
And should you need to work, OhBaby and TNN are terrible for that.
How do you think my post count got so high.
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ooEvaoo
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Posted: 01 August 2008 at 2:54pm |
Here Here...I second that, as at the moment instead of doing assignments I'm on oHbaby, on campus of all places lolz.
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mummy_becks
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Posted: 01 August 2008 at 3:37pm |
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I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived!
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SquishysMum
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Posted: 02 August 2008 at 5:46pm |
How about studying with a newborn? Ours is due in March next year, but I was meant to be doing one paper for work (starting grad dip so I'm properly qualified). It will be extramural, and involve 36 hours total of lab time doing exercises, which isn't the problem, it's the extramural. Any thoughts? I REALLY want to do this course, I had to fight to be accepted into semester 1 anyway, so to not start seems like such a waste IYKWIM.
I don't know, I feel like I know the answer anyway (don't do it!) but I still don't want to give up yet...
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kebakat
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Posted: 02 August 2008 at 6:35pm |
Studying and a newborn... ummm nah I wouldnt lol.. I was sooooo tired for that first month and then just getting back into doing all the old things I use to took even longer.. But it might also depend on the baby. But then you can't tell what you are going to get
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LittleBug
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Posted: 02 August 2008 at 7:08pm |
I don't think I would have been able to cope but we had huge feeding issues... I think it just depends on how things are going with you at the time? If you can't do it though, definitely don't feel down about it because having a newborn around is hard enough work on it's own.
You can sure try, if you are determined though! Is there any way you could push it back a semester, or even a year? Most places will make allowances if they know you have a valuable reason for it.
And LOL at procrastinating on OhBaby! I'm always on the lab comps checking between classes... usually when I should be doing some real work
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Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years).
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EnJsmum
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Posted: 05 August 2008 at 9:16pm |
Cathrine wrote:
I don't know, I feel like I know the answer anyway (don't do it!) but I still don't want to give up yet... |
Do you have to decide now? If not I suggest you wait and see how you are.
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nikkitheknitter
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Posted: 06 August 2008 at 10:50am |
Cathrine wrote:
How about studying with a newborn? |
Hrmmmmmm.... a newborn.
I started back at uni when Han was 16 weeks and that was quite difficult... and it was internal! Just the sheer amount of time taken to try and breastfeed the damn kid. Mind you, if you can buy a book stand then it's perfect reading time! (I never quite mastered the art of holding a book open and breastfeeding at the same time. Wish I had though!)
I'd say perhaps semester 2 might be a more viable option.
BUT I'm sure it's been done before, so if you really wanna go for it then more power to ya!
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SquishysMum
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Posted: 07 August 2008 at 4:44pm |
Nah, I figure it will be too hard, and I'm just kidding myself! I'll start in the second semester I think. I do have to decide soon, cos the application process is quite long and arduous, so I think I'll just leave it. Thanks for your advice.
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flakesitchyfeet
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Posted: 08 August 2008 at 3:03pm |
I'm tossing up when to restart my study. I am upgrading my Dip. through Massey extramural, working towards a BSpEx with a major in sport management. Dropped out of last semester because of MS, and don't think I'll pick it up again until 2nd next year, with our first DD due in Nov. Although to start in Jan and get it out of the way earlier is sooo tempting...
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