find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Refine courses

Posted April 2, 2013

Juggling Postgraduate Study and Parenthood

Juggling postgraduate study and parenthood is no easy feat.

Check out these top tips to help make your life that little bit easier...

Know Why You're Studying for a Postgraduate Degree  - Being clear on your future goals and aims is essential. If you're following your dreams so you can get a meaningful job that will better support your family it will be much easier to stay motivated than if you're only there to pass the time.

Have a Good Support System  - A good support system from family and friends is paramount. Having someone who can pick the kids up from school or cook them dinner if you have to stay late at uni will help make your life a whole lot easier.

Get a Diary and Use It  - Get yourself a diary and highlight all the due dates for assignments and other deadlines. This will help you stay on top of your work, and ensure nothing creeps up on you at the last minute.

Schedule Study and Family Time - Juggling study and family might not be easy, but it is doable. The trick is quality over quantity. You might not be able to spend as much time as you were before with your children, so make what time you do have really count!

Keep Textbooks Out of Reach  - Always keep university work and textbooks well out of reach from sticky fingers and baby artwork!

Childcare! - If you don't have anyone who can help you out with the kids then childcare is essential, even if you can only afford it for one or two days a week. Use these free days to go nuts with your postgraduate study and get as much done as possible.

Get Your Kids Involved - If your kids are old enough then why not get them involved in chores. This is a great way to spend time with your little ones as well as get must do housework completed. If they can handle going it alone then use this opportunity to get some serious postgraduate study done.

Have a Designated Study Space - If possible create a space in your home that you can call your study space. This area needs to be strictly off limits to kids so you can leave half-written essays or study guides open without worrying about it getting disturbed.

If You Need Help ASK!  - There is no shame in asking for help. Most universities have a counselling service or teaching and learning unit that is there to help those in need.

Do you juggle study and parenthood? How do you cope?
 

Leave a comment

All contributors must be over 16 year olds

By submitting your comment you agree to our privacy policy.

Categories