The big challenge for me as a student parent was sticking with the studying over such a long period of time. You have to adapt to so many changes; my course began part time in the evening, then half way through changed to part time during the day.
I found obtaining grants hard work too. I received funding from my local authority because I was getting tax credits and working. It’s quite difficult to work out what you are entitled to and one thing depends on the other.
There are external influences too, such as moving house or changing jobs; money issues are all knock effects of being a student parent. I have been quite lucky having a flexible part-time job. My employers have allowed me to change my working days, and have also let me fit lectures in around my working day.
Work, study and childcare
A typical university day would be; get up at 6.00am and prepare breakfast for everyone. Make packed lunches for three and prepare the evening meal in the slow cooker.
Get myself showered and dressed, get the children dressed and ready for nursery and school. Wash the pots and leave the house at 7.50am to walk to nursery for 8.05am and then onto breakfast club for 8.15am (attached to the school).
Travel three miles by bus into town to arrive at work at 9.00am and work through my lunch (half hour) to incorporate a two-hour lecture from 2.00pm till 4.00pm. University is across the road from my work. I return to work and make up another half hour until 4.30pm. Leave work and go back to collect the children. Arrive at home for 5.45pm for dinner. Bath time for the children (shared duties between me and my partner). Children are settled with reading and hot milk and off to sleep by 8.00pm. Then my study continues from 8.30pm till 10.30pm. Lights out at 11.00pm.
Wrap round care at the school i.e. breakfast club and after school club are very useful. I also have help from mums at school. It is very beneficial that my work is so close, but this is how organised it all has to be. I have had to remain in the same job for seven years in order to make this work.
Student parent group
I got involved in NUS’ research as I felt it was important to be part of a group and to share similar stories. Also, I wanted to learn from different experiences and how other parents have overcome their individual challenges to help put my own into perspective. I am looking forward to presenting the survey and being part of the launch that can make an impact on future parents wishing to study.
I would like to see would be a more holistic approach to parents who study. There are so many different factors influencing our study pattern. We have to depend upon having a good childcare provision and networks, both formal and informal. We have to be flexible and ready to adapt to the changes in course structure, which means having an understanding boss, colleagues, loved ones and children. Also, better fluidity of communication between departments including, financial, central administration local authority and the faculty would improve the experience for student parents.
My advice to parents wishing to study is that it is a daunting prospect with many challenges, but the overall feeling of purpose and reward are worth battling for. Ultimately we are doing this for our family, to set a good example and to achieve the profession we seek to improve the quality of our life and future potential for ourselves and our children.
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Meet the Parents launch in pictures