Martin - Testimonial
Name: Martin
Age: 25
Course: BA(Hons) International Business
Year: 2
1. How many children do you have and how old are they?
I have a baby boy who is five weeks old.
2. Do you receive family support in caring for your child(ren) while you study? If so, how important has this been to you in terms of your success?
My wife, myself and our family take full responsibility in the caring of our child at the moment. Our family has been very supportive. It has been very important for the development of the family. If it were not for the support of family and friends it would be impossible to succeed in my studies.
3. Do you require childcare while you study? If so what arrangements do you make and where is your childcare situated?
We require no childcare at the moment.
4. How do you fit personal study/assignments in with looking after your children?
The initial juggling act of study and family was difficult, but you get into a routine. As our baby is young he requires a close eye but I can always make time for studying. If I were in a full-time job still, it would still involve juggling but with a career rather than a course.
5. Please briefly describe a typical University day (from when you get up in the morning to when you go to bed at night).
Well everyday is slightly different. But when I wake up it's usually about 06:30 in the morning. I make sure my baby and wife are ok and then go to uni to study. I attend lectures and then have lunch. I normally meet my wife and baby for lunch, then if I have any lectures in the afternoon I just attend these and then go home. When I get home, I take some time to look after Elliott and make sure my wife has time for herself and I try and prepare dinner. In the evening I normally do some form of course work for a couple of hours and then go to bed.
6. Do you have any advice for a prospective student with a child?
To adjust to the life as a student was not too difficult. I moved from three years full time employment to higher education, and was just married. During the second year of my studies my wife was pregnant. Initially it was difficult to juggle studies and family life, but once a routine was set up it became easy to adjust to. I could not have carried on with my studies if my wife had wanted me to work after the birth of our son. However, her support and view of education has helped both of us pursue our own goals.
The easiest way I have found to juggle between studies is to have a family that listens and takes care of our child; lecturers who are sympathetic to particular situations and fellow students who take an active interest in learning about each other. This all helps to build an environment that not only supports mature students to study but assists mature students to experience life as a student as well as a parent.