Studying after baby
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33640
Printed Date: 22 August 2025 at 12:37am
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Topic: Studying after baby
Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Subject: Studying after baby
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 3:51pm
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Hi there
I am considering doing some p/t study so that when it is time for me to go back to work f/t I will be able to get into a better job in the area I want to work in. But we have a 5 yr old at school and a 4 mth old. I just want to hear if anyone else has a similar situation as me and what their experiences were like studying part time with a baby and a older child? ------------- http://lilyslim.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 4:11pm
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My mum was a solo parent who studied some more after having me, I spent majority of my time with my grandparents tbh. However I was an only child. My mum went back to study when I was 6 months, I was a ff baby so it was fine for my grandparents to take care of me. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 4:21pm
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I'm probably only thinking of doing 1 paper a term so I don't over do it and stress my self out - obviously this will take a while to complete the study. ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 4:25pm
hay i am going into study in july i hav no idae how it will work but i am sure i will get it done lol  ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: Jaxnz1
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 4:33pm
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A bit different, but just to give you an idea, I was working full time and studying one paper a semester. I was doing on average 2 hours of study each night and weekends were usually spent working on assignments. It was hard work and I would imagine even harder with a little one, but I still think if someone is motivated enough anything is possible.
If my DD was doing regular long sleeps during the day I would work on finishing my Grad Dip, but she's a catnapper, so only get 30mins at a time. I could imagine I would just get into something and she would wake up. I guess it all depends on whether you 'treasure' your nights, as I would think that's when you would do the majority of the study as I was when working full time. Probably no help but good luck if you go ahead with it! ------------- 
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 5:23pm
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I'm going back to study over the summer tri at Vic, going to do one paper so far too, Lily will be 9 months by then. Are you thinking of next tri? They have day care at Vic and most unis. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 5:34pm
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i know it different but i have done 2 papers a semester since before i had DS. DH does a fair bit round the house which helps (night feeds, bath, feeds baby dinner dishes, helps get him dressed in the morning as i have to be out the house before 8 some mornings). i find it pretty managable as long as your time is well organised. i do about 12 hours in class and about 20 hours over the evenings & weekends when he is asleep (never when he is awake) though thats probably a bit excessive unless you want solid A's. i pick up the toys whenever he has a nap so there is nothing at all to do once he is in bed at night and i have all night if i need it. ill be cutting down to 1 paper next semester as ill have 2 kids who probably wont sleep at the same time and ill be tired at night. ill go back to 2 papers when my youngest turns 1 and probably stay at that right through my masters until both kids are at school.
DS1 is in creche but was on the waiting list since i found out i was pg and didnt get in till he was about 8 months and DS2 will probably get in next semester because DS1 is already there so he gets priority. definitly dont assume you will be able to get her in though cos the waiting lists are pretty hefty. ETA: just realised you would have 1 child at school. depending on how hard lily is to entertain i think it would definitly be managable to do 1 paper a semester. Mack has just turned one and this is the first semester i wont get an A for one of my papers and i worked 3 nights a week when DS was really young too ------------- 
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Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 5:46pm
| I completed my diploma in teaching with a newborn and a 15 month old and while it was hard, i have NEVER been more organised while studying. I was incredibly motivated and didn't much around like I hads in the past. i also got great grades. i found the less time I had, the less i could procrastinate |
Posted By: amme_eilyk
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 5:55pm
| it is definitely doable if you put your mind to it. it wont be easy, but I have seen it done. My dad did it and he was working 8 to 6 at the time as well as the two of us. |
Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 6:01pm
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nicky I looked at the summer school and while I could do some of the days - it was going to be $1000 for just one paper which is DH's salary a week so I will have to look elsewhere ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 6:33pm
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wow thats huge. can i ask how that figure is broken down (just out of curiosity) -------------
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 6:41pm
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I have a 5 month old and am a single Mum and I'm studying via Correspondence doing my Cert. in Small Business Management. I'll be going on to do my Diploma of Teaching (ECE) extramurally once I have completed this course. I agree with what lizzle said. I've never been more organised with study than I am now. It's not just that you don't have the time to procrastinate, but I also really enjoy making my mind work like a grown up IYKWIM. I spend at least 60% of my day, probably more, immersed in baby stuff, it's nice to deal with adult stuff so I get really into it. So far I've got all A's as well. Granted I only have the one child, but I do think it's about you being organised and willing to go the extra mile. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 6:50pm
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monikah - it was student services, text books, course fees and there was something else there too.. The paper by itself without all those things was $600 ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 7:09pm
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Yeah for a student loan I think it's 45 points a trimester from memory to get one. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Blankney94
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 7:11pm
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I'm doing part time at home with baby, part time work (15 hrs) and part time study. I fit in the study late at night (quite late sometimes as I'm a nightowl - however maybe the morning might suit you better?). It's going fine. I think the trick is to pick a subject that you like to keep you motivated, and to not take on too much at once so that you don't get put off. BTW I'm studying through SIT (our local polytech) which has no fees. You just have to pay for course materials and textbooks. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 7:14pm
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wow that sucks. how do they expect ppl to upskill?? ive always got student loan for some reason, but never student loan living costs. of course it all has to be paid back :( but if you plan on staying in NZ they auto write the interest off now so i put any extra money onto the mortgage, lol.
well good luck and i hope you get to sort something out :) i love studying -------------
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 8:07pm
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I'm doing my Masters thesis while working PT, with a 22 monther and another one the way. I'm working 0.5 and my study load is probably 0.4. I have Dan in DC 1/2 day a week for me to do interviews and data analysis, and I have a very very very patient DH who tolerates me spending the evenings and part of the weekends on the laptop or reading transcripts in front of the TV.
My discipline levels fluctuate. I'm really lucky that if work is quiet, I can study there. I'm on a roll at the moment - don't know how long it will last! ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Renee & Lauren
Date Posted: 25 May 2010 at 8:34pm
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well I decided to enrol for one paper at the moment through Open Polytechnic and it's only $251. With DD at school and DS sleeping 2 or 3 times a day I can get some study done during the day so that is good. I am doing NZIM Cert in Management but I still have to do a degree so it will take me ages to get there.
Thanks for all your help in making me make the decision. ------------- http://lilyslim.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 26 May 2010 at 10:07am
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I study part time and have always managed to get student loan for the fees portion. Books I've got second hand or used the library and with Massey extramural some of the papers I haven't needed text books. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 26 May 2010 at 10:45am
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Good on you for signing up. I have taken one paper a semester for ages while working and now with baby. I have found that i tend to do most of my study at night after baby has gone to bed (as she only really sleeps a half hour at a time during day and thats not enough to study in!)
Im getting really great marks with this current paper and think it is because im enjoying using my brain again! Good luck with your first paper :) ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
 Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 26 May 2010 at 12:38pm
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Yay for studying.
I have a DD3 and i work 30 hours a week and i am doing 3 classes, english,chemistry and biology! It is hard, but very rewarding! |
Posted By: floss
Date Posted: 26 May 2010 at 12:51pm
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I am doing my diploma in ECE at the mo I have just finished my first year and I have 3 children a 4year old and 2.5yr old twins, I do most of my study at night and as I have to work 16 hours in a centre a week my children are at daycare in those times. ------------- My beautiful big girl Sienna 15.04.06 Double the trouble double the fun Noah & Lola 10/11/07 |
Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 26 May 2010 at 5:06pm
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I am studying with the kids. It is hard during exam times but other times not really. I study while they are playing all over me as such. Dont know how it will be if you have to have quiet to study. I now have to put the tv on to actually be able to study when hubby takes them out for the day.
I just written 3 subjects this term with both kids and didnt go to bad. Start out slow and if you see you can handle more add another one and go from there. But really not that bad. Just need to make sure you do a bit every day and not leave it to the end as the kids will then get sick and grumpy etc. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 26 May 2010 at 6:44pm
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congrats on studying!. I only have the one child, but have been studying for 3 years, have 1.5 years to go (FXd!) currently doing 7 papers!...which is ridiculous but that's how the degree is structured. I am a serial procrastinator, always getting sidestracked..but manage to pull good marks. Really need to organise myself...and I always have these plans to but never implement them!. I do majority of work at night. Def needa organise myself as I have like 7 assessments coming up in 3 weeks. ------------- 
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