Student mom

Student mom

Back to school is not only for my kids but for me too 😭😭😭! Yes... I’m currently a student! I’m doing my Masters in Translation Medicine and this year and is the ‘do-or-die’ year so I’m completely dreading it! Being a student and a mom simultaneously isn’t the first time for me. I started my undergrad degree with a 3months-old baby girl. It wasn’t easy at all! 

First, I had to overcome my husband’s family’s put-down on how I will quit within a few weeks and so to save the shame to just stay home and look after baby! The fact that my unconditional offer came the day after I was pregnant was a shock to everybody but I was determined that I could do both. It was a tough journey but I did it! I did it with no family, financial or emotional support at all! I did it in 3 years and without failing any of my exams! I did it without asking for my extra support from university who I shoould say didn’t know how to support a student mom! My daughter was my driving force through all of it! Seeing her face was enough for me to prove all these people wrong that despite my having a child young doesn’t stop me from achieving my goals! 

I decided to do a masters with 2 kids and working full-time which is definitely tougher! A took a year break as things were getting too much and wouldn’t cope with everything. But now I’m ready, I think, to finish this off! My children are the reasons why I keep progressing to the next stage and definitely not my excuses! 

My tips to survive studenstship and motherhood at the same time:

1. Childcare - arrange a childminder/nursery who is close to you and know your chaotic student life’s tell them in advance what your timetable is like so they know when to expect you. My childminder was a God-send but it took a long time for me to visit all childminders in my area and choose my one. Your Families service at your local council will have a list of all the registered childminders and nurseries within the area.
2. Organise your time - every second is vital! I used to study only when my baby was sleeping or taking naps! Whenever she was up, my attention was for her only! So it’s important that you keep a rough timetable on when you can squeeze in your studying time! Plan your meals in advance so you can just come home and cook it without wasting time or going to shop, etc...
3. Have a student life- don’t forget that you are a student and make the most of it! Since alcohol is not in my repertoire, nightlife was not a must! How I did enjoy it was taking part in uni shows (taking my little one to rehearsals, etc) and being involved in societies! It was a great way for me to socialise and de-stress!
4. Council tax- don’t forget to tell your council that you are a student so you can get a deduction in your council tax! Every penny helps!

Good luck!

Do you have any other tips for student moms?