How to cope with full-time study and a new born baby...need study tips or something.

Safia - posted on 03/22/2013

Just wanted to wish you good luck in life. I had to withdraw my semester when my baby was born. I was wondering if I could get back to my studies later this year ( my baby will be 8 months then). This post and all the replies gives me encouragement. Thanks a lot. :)

Mandy - posted on 10/05/2009

Definitely take advantage of your child's naps and set up a schedule so they're predictable. If you can, arrange to have someone give you at least a few hours of free time as well. Finally, although a newborn can be hard to deal with, depending on your child, studying with a toddler is way harder than a newborn.

Andrea - posted on 10/04/2009

I am a single mother of an 8yr old, 5yr old, and 2yr old. I work full time, and attend shcool full time. I do the "mommy" thing of the eve when I am home with them. When I have homework, I give them homework...things such as coloring pictures for me...etc. It keeps them busy for a while anyway. Then when I lay them all down (at 8pm every night) I get things done! Yes, I find myself up sometimes until 1 or 2am....just keep telling yourself how worth it it will be when you are finished! It's better to get it out of the way now then have to miss football games and such when they are older!!!

Eartha - posted on 10/01/2009

Well, I am a first time mom to a now 10 week old. When I started this semester my son was only 4 weeks old. It is extremely hard to find study time, but i recommend studying after feeding your baby, because they usually go to sleep shortly after eating. I know they say sleep when the baby sleeps, but sometimes you are going to have to study while your baby sleeps! There are nights when you have test the next day or something important due, when you are going to get little to no sleep, but it pays off in the end when you make the grade and move one step closer to graduation! Hope that helps!



Also what do you do with the baby while you are in school, if he/she goes to daycare or a sitter, ask for extra time. Pick him up a little later some days, just so you can get an hour or so of study time!

Stacy - posted on 09/17/2009

I went back to school full time when my daughter was 4 months old. I found it easiest to balance and separate the two by doing the majority of my studying at the school. When you get home you are overwhelmed by the duties of a household and motherhood and can get easily distracted. I don't know your situation and if you have to work as well, but I was lucky enough to only have to work part time so it made it easier. I know as a first time mom it's really hard to leave your baby. What got me thru that was focusing on the fact that by the time my daughter was 2, I would be able to provide a better life for her and my family. Sacrificing that time will get difficult at times, but just remember that you are making a brighter future for the both of you. Good luck and God bless!

Colleen - posted on 09/16/2009

I had my baby at the end of my semester... April 8th.. when finals were just around the corner. I had Jordan on thursday and was back to school on Monday.... if you have the motivation YOU CAN DO IT! I just started this fall semester in the Education program working part time. I had to quit my job because it was too overwhelming and my son, school comes first because thats where the future is. It's still overwhleming but forsure managable!

It is most important to keep up with a set schedual with your child and then with your own!

Ashley - posted on 09/16/2009

if you get your baby on a set routine then things work out to where you can study..for instance my 4 month old goes to bed at 8:15 every night and that gives me time to study and get what i need to get done..i had him on this routine once he hit 2 months..so just get him on a routine that will work for you and once he/she is adjusted your good to go...

Melissa - posted on 09/16/2009

Hi Im Melissa my daughter will be 2 on Sept 21 and I have been in Nursing school since she was about 4 mnths.I think babies especially little ones really just want to hear there mothers voice,so i used to read her my medical books in a sweet voice as if I was speaking to her.I would do it over and over to help me memorize it.IDK how you study everyone retains Knowledge differently but it really helps me to say it out loud so maybe that will help you.I was very worried about how I was gonna go to school and take care of a little one but honey its gonna be tough but just keep your eye on the prize and constantly remind yourself why you are going to school in the first place(I am assuming that,like me,you wanna make a better life for yourself and your daughter)and youll be fine.

Summer - posted on 09/12/2009

I read my textbooks to my daughter when she was first born. It worked so that I could spend time with her and still study. Plus, it's never to early to read to your kids, regardless of the topic.

Keri - posted on 08/18/2009

I was in the beginning of a semester when my daughter was born and would even truck her to school with me in a sling during the first month she was born (she was an angel and slept through class). I had such a hard time getting my homework done, I suffered from post partum depression and needed to sleep when she was sleeping. Homework got done while she was in her swing or on the few occasions that friends came over to help me out at home. It was very difficult, I learned to skim books and to cram in fifteen minute jam sessions once or twice a day. I'm sure the experience is different for everyone, just know you're not alone and you can do it!

Alisa - posted on 08/11/2009

I was in the same boat as you, my boy was 3 weeks when the semester started. I did a lot of reading and studying while feeding or rocking. (took a lot of manuvering). Also, just having someone else feed the baby gives you roughly 20 minutes to right a response paper or other homework.
I still say sleep at least one nap when the baby does because you will be extra tired.

do any and all work at the school while you can.

Take an online course or two if you can. they require more reading, but you have more time at home.

set aside time for homework and work ahead when possible. try to get a sitter (possibly a family member) for these times.

be realistic. if you need to drop from 15 to 12 credit hours. do it. you need your sanity and dont wanna get burned out.

for food i cooked only twice a week. but when i cooked i prepared food for at least four days. so i was sit eating good and it would only take a minute to make (thank you microwave inventor!)

hope this helps!

Ashley - posted on 08/11/2009

I decided to go to school online. It's been a godsend because I can do it around my daughter's schedule! It's much better for me because I'm not INSANE from sleep exhaustion and my daughter doesn't suffer from it. Just take it one day at a time-make little goals throughout the day. It'll make you feel better

Kathryn - posted on 08/08/2009

I started uni when my first born was just under two months. I am only doing it part-time. I have spaced out my classes over 2 1/2 days, this means I get a few hours before and after classes that I use to go to the library and study or prepare for assignments. She is with a home day care mum for the 2 1/2 days. This means that I am not stressed as I already have studied through out the week and the rest of the days my attention is totally on her. I voice record my lecture and play them when I am driving. It really reinforces the material and makes recall easier. Keep going.

Melissa - posted on 08/08/2009

my daughter is 7 weeks old and I go to school full time but I do it at a online school so i can choose when to study/ turn in homework. i usually do school work after i lay her down for the night because she sleeps for longer periods of time and i take it easy during the day. hope you and your baby the best of luck.

Melissa - posted on 08/07/2009

I am 8 months preggo and taking 3 months off when #3 is born because my school is flexible. If i had to continue studying I would make time for a nap during the day when your baby naps. Also there are many days now where I have a child on my lap watching tv while I am doing hoemwork. My other two have been home all summer while I have been full time so I have been taking any chance I can get and anticipate being interupted. At first it was frustrating but got in a groove in no time.

Megan - posted on 08/07/2009

I honestly couldn't do it, I gave up studying for 6 months when my son was born before I returned and just started off with two classes. I am studying my degree by correspondence and now doing 3 papers, which is challenging with even a 1 year old running around. I study when he sleeps tho and he goes off to daycare for two afternoons a week, so that I can depend on that time to catch up! I am expecting my 2nd child and plan to take another semester off to just relax and appreciate the time when they are little babies. You never get that time back and before ya know it they aren't babies anymore :( Definitely don't rush into it and don't push yourself because the worse thing for your child will be a stressed out mother. Just make sure you have lots of support and people helping out with babysitting etc if you do decide to continue right away. You will also need time to yourself to sleep as well.

Ciara - posted on 08/07/2009

Im a full time student as well and returned back to school a year ago i've had a hard time studying with a 20 1/2 month old let alone a new born, basically I just find alot of babysitters!! or study in between nap time! hope this helps! good luck in school!!

Linda - posted on 08/07/2009

I was a full time student with a newborn. I'd read textbooks while I was nursing, write papers while baby was sleeping. I'd use a voice recorder to take notes if my hands were full and couldn't write, so I could write them down later. It also worked for writing papers. It wasn't easy, but I did it! If you know any other students with young babies, you could share duties to have study time too. Good luck to you!

Sarah - posted on 08/06/2009

If you have you parents close by to help it's great. I usually have them watch him while I go to the library and study for a few hours. The most important thing is to learn how to manage your time effectively to get the most done in the shortest amount of time. I am also a single mom, full time student, part time worker, with an 18 month old son. It can be done! Don't be afraid to ask for the help of teachers, parents, friends. Most people realize that schooling is your ticket out and they are willing to do what they can to help you succeed.

Wendy - posted on 08/06/2009

well is very difficult to go study full time and take care a child. I have been going to the school part time since my daughter natalie was born. My daughter is almost three years and I am planing to go full time next year. I took one class during this summer and I did very good. My tip to study is to study for a period of one or two hours everyday do not try to study for long hours is not gonna work. study everyday a little bit it will work. Well it did work for me. Good luck to everyone

bye

Britt - posted on 08/06/2009

I had my son in the middle of last samester and it was really hard to cope with the new born and classes but i went back to school after a week of haveing my baby but i had decided to have no morning classes and a few internet classes. I don't know if your nursing or not but i found that when i was nursing i would have a school book with me and red it than i was more relaxed and could concentrat more also one night a week someone in my family or a friend would take him for a few hours so i could rest and study. this helped alot ( when this happens make sure to turn your cell off and disconect the house phone so you can't call every 5 mins to see if your child is ok ) talk to your teachers too they can help and a lot of the time they are willing. Good luck

Jen - posted on 08/06/2009

I just graduated in May and plan on returning for grad school next August and when my daughter was a new born I only took 3 classes. 2 on campus and 1 online. I always did my work when she was sleeping. It's the easiest time. Forget about the house work until your school work is done. However, I am not a single mom so I had the luxury of giving her to my husband or my in-laws when I needed to get my work done. I took 4 semesters worth of school (a little more than 40 credit hours) while working 10 hours a week with baby in tow. It is possible, but it takes a lot of scheduling and time management. If you're baby isn't already on a schedule I highly recommend doing so. It takes off a lot of stress.

Stephanie - posted on 08/06/2009

Well my son was born on Aug 7th (of 2007) and we moved on Aug 10th then started school maybe a week & 1/2 later so I know just how you feel. HECTIC. I decided to cut down my course load to 12hrs when the baby was born which meant i only had classes 3 days a week. I did most of my work on Tuesday, Thursday, & the weekends since I was off. I found that the busier I was the better my time management got. Now my son will be 2 tomorrow & I'm still in college taking 20hrs of classes this semester & working 20hrs. Use your free time wisely and try to arrange your schedule so you have some days off if that's possible. It REALLY helped me.

Candice - posted on 08/06/2009

i took 4 months off before returning to school. i never could have studied with a newborn in the house. i had a hard enough time studying with a 4 month old. she ended up at gramma's alot. i couldn't even put her down during her naps so my only possible study time was if someone took her for a few hours. when i did return to school, i returned part time. i just couldn't keep up a full time schedule. i was so tired all the time. my daughter is 15 months and is just now starting to sleep well.

the only tip i have is don't push yourself to do everything. the baby is the priority. school will still be there. sleep! you can't study tired! and ask for help.

best of luck!