[paula89]

Hi all,
I am considering enrolling in a Bachelor degree next year. It will be at UNE through Distance Ed. I am a SAHM to my son who is currently 2.5yo and am pregnant, due right at the beginning of August. I am thinking of just doing one subject per semester, but am unsure if I should start in 2013, or wait another year or two and then start when my baby is a little older. I was thinking that I would be able to handle it, then DS dropped his daytime nap which has made me a little unsure. I am considering putting him in care on day a week to give me more study time, and my mother would take him for one morning a week also.

The thing that makes it scariest for me, is having a baby during the semester. It will be early on in the second semester so I am hoping it won't interfere too much with exams and assignments, but it's more the what ifs that concern me. DS was a very easy baby and I could have studied easily when he was a newborn, but I know that the chances of getting another easy one aren't particularly high.

I would really love to start studying as soon as I can. My brain feels like it is slowly turning to mush and I need to do something to challenge myself mentally. But I don't want to put myself in a situation where I can't cope. Any advice?

[sparkles30]

At one subject per semester, I'd go for it. Depending on what you are studying, there will only be a few really stressful weeks around the time assessment is due, and then you can take a breather. At least enrol for first semester next year, and you can always defer for second if you find having bubs is too much.

[casime]

I did part of a degree through UNE distance ed and wasn't too thrilled about it to be honest. I now study through Open universities and find their set up much better.

I started my course when DS was a newborn, and he's not a daytime sleeper. It was hard going for the first six months until I put him in daycare a couple of days a week (I study on a full time basis). It's taken the pressure off, as I dedicate those days to only studying, and not think about it on the days he's home with me.

[trying~again]

I'd defer for 2nd semester. Maybe you can do a block subject in July & another in Dec (if UNE offers them? I studied through JCU and block subjects was the easiest way to study with small children around). I'be be more inclined to do 2 or 3 subjects in semester 1, but definitely none in semester 2.

[paula89]

I did part of a degree through UNE distance ed and wasn't too thrilled about it to be honest. I now study through Open universities and find their set up much better.

Yeah, I have had mixed feedback about UNE. Some people say it was wonderful, some people weren't very happy with it. Unfortunately the degree I want to do isn't available through Open Universities.

I'd defer for 2nd semester. Maybe you can do a block subject in July & another in Dec (if UNE offers them? I studied through JCU and block subjects was the easiest way to study with small children around). I'be be more inclined to do 2 or 3 subjects in semester 1, but definitely none in semester 2.

No, I don't think UNE offers block subjects, although I will check it out just in case.

I suppose I could do 2 subjects during the first semester and then defer for the second - I'm not sure why I didn't think of that!

[Honey1331]

I would take on one or two the first trimester and see how you go, you can always take trimester two off and study trimester three.

And I'm the opposite, I studied a year through OUA and hated it, switched to UNE and it is much more enjoyable and I find it is much better run towards studying via correspondence.

However my dislike of OUA may be more because of the uni my course was through than OUA themselves.

[NicolinaO]

With one unit I would think you will be fine. Although I too would be a little concerned taking on a semester when bub is due.. i suppose if bub is due early in the semester it's better than later as you could always cancel without penalties (depending on how early? I would check the dates).

I have deferred my final semester of a four year bachelor as DS was born right at the end of it and it would have made it really hard to make the exams and final hand-ins. End of semester is always hectic in my degree anyhow.. I am now planning on going back to full-time/on-campus study for my final semester when DS is 9 months and am planning on putting him in daycare for as many weekdays I can afford. Full-time study is just that - full time! haha

congrats on getting back to study though, I totally understand needing to get into something. I feel my head getting mushy and DS is only 3 months yet