[msro82]

Hi

I will be starting my Bachelor of education in Feb, I will still be working 32hrs a week and Dd will be almost 6. I have decided to study this by distance full time. The uni says its like a full time job and to allow 8-10 hrs per week per unit.

I believe that I will be able to do this.

Has anyone else worked 5 days a week (4 short days of school hours and one really long day) and also completed full time study? Some people have told me I am nuts and unrealistic.

My theory is to get through the first semester full time and if I struggled too much, change to part time in Semester 2.

Thanks

[ChunkyChook]

I think it is one of those things that depends on the person and their personal situation.

Do you have a partner? Are they relativey helpful/hands on. Do you like to socialise alot? Happy to stay home and study.

I used to run my own online business, do FDC from my home 4 days a week and study as a single parent. After 2 years I had a meltdown quit everything and got a job at my local maccas only working between 9.30 & 3.00. No weekends or school holidays. Best decidion I ever made. Some people are more goal orientated and want more.

This post has been edited by ChunkyChook: 16/11/2012, 07:48 PM

[msro82]

Thanks for your reply

I have a partner, he is hands on enough. We are lucky (for now) that DD is generally asleep by 7pm each night give me 2-3 hours a night.

We tend to socialise mostly over summer, which won't affect study. Given this is something that I need to do, my current line of work I am always at risk of being made redundant, so I have the incentive to get it done.

I figured I will spend time with DD immediately after school, help with homework and one piece of housework each night.

I appreciate your response.

[jayskette]

I have worked and studied full time for 3 years, but I didn't have kids.

Best of luck!

[Lilybeth]

I have worked full-time and studied part-time (a Masters) by distance education. I found that a bit of a struggle, even without kids.

If I was working full-time with a child I would definitely go part-time again. I suppose it also depends on how stressful your job is and whether you could utilise study leave for your assignments and exams.

Seeing how you handle full-time work and study in the first semester, as you said, might be a good idea.

[cira]

I think it also depends on whether you want to excel in your courses or just pass. And how much you are willing to give up family time - will you be okay studying most of the weekend?

[sanjasem]

Yes I've done it. It's hard work and stressful, however I'm at the end of the Bachelor of Education and just need to complete the internship. It will have taken me 4 1/2 years instead of 4, but considering I have worked mostly 30 hours each week I think I've done well. I've made sure I have a few weeks break each year and limit study in school holiday time. I do study at night time when my daughter is in bed, and allow one day a weekend when it's assignment time. I made sure assignments were done ahead of due dates too. What uni are you planning to study with?

[msro82]

Thanks for the replies :-)

I live in Tasmania and will be studying through Utas.

I get 5 weeks annual leave a year, plus the option to purchase an additional two weeks. Also coming up to long service in two years. I figured I can take a day or two of annual leave as required, Dd would be at school so totally uninterrupted study time.

I will get through the first semester and re-assess.

Sanjasem - I am hoping to also do assignments well before the due dates. I hope that if I just keep ahead and don't procrastinate I will be fine :-) It does sound tough, but doable.

[FreeRangeMum]

Yep I did it when DD was 2. I was working 4 school-hour days, and the other days looking after DD. I did a full time study load. Managed to pass every subject (and even do well on some!) and graduate on time The trick it to let go of any perfectionist tendencies, set aside study times (eg. I would study every night until 11pm, but not during the day on weekends unless I had a big assignment), and only study what you NEED to study. I gave up doing the weekly readings quite early on and just concentrated on doing what I needed to do to get an assignment finished. Exams were usually at the end of semester and I would just cram....

It can be done Good luck!

[SarahM72]

Depends on the person I would think. I'm studying full time with a large family (I'm also a single parent). I'm also doing a TAFE diploma part time. To be honest I could do a lot more, I just can't be bothered. Studying by distance is very easy to fit in with whatever you are doing as long as you can stay motivated. You also get a long break over summer, unless you do summer school. So you can relax and recover from the hard slog over a nice long summer break.

The only problem is when something unexpected goes wrong with the kids and I have no back up. If you have a partner it will be much easier I would think (depending on how helpful the partner is).