I’m a single mum of 2 school age children. I’m really passionate about working with children and my dream,which I always felt was unrealistic because of lots of issues especially being in a dv relationship of 15 yrs I finally escaped this situation it’s been 2 and a half years now and I’m at a place now where I think I can chase that dream of becoming a teacher. Im wanting advice or opinions of the realistic chance of doing this I’m in my late 30s - what’s the study load like? and I have custody of my children 95% of the time and have no one to do help with them. I would prefer to do on campus as well as I think online would not be ideal for me. Any advice or success stories would be greatly appreciated xx
7 Replies
I have a degree already and started my dip Ed just before my daughter was born. Full-time time with a newborn but also with support. Couldn't do it. Online study has waaaaay more reading than on campus. The hours were killing me. I think you can do it but I strongly recommend on campus. The workload online is sooooo much more.
If your children are in school then yes I do think it would be doable.
I was a single Mum of 3 kids when I went back to uni to become a teacher 10 years ago. My youngest wasn’t school aged yet and the JET program (I think it was called that) helped with daycare costs.
It was very challenging, I gave up a social life, I didn’t watch tv, I had no money and I worked bloody hard! I did it full time, I was on campus and did about 15 hours a week at lectures and tutorials, you also have to factor in pracs which I think I did 2 weeks in my first year, 5 weeks in years 2 and 3 and 10 weeks in my final year. I connected with other single mums at uni and we became each other’s support, helping with each other’s kids and with the workload.
It’s totally worth it though because now I earn $100k, I am doing a job I love and no one can ever take it away from me. I also think about the example I have set for my children, with hard work comes great rewards!
My advice is set a goal, make uni the priority and most importantly, don’t ever leave assignments to the last minute, cause you can bet that’s when your child will get sick or some other emergency.
Just do it! The quicker you get started the quicker you’ll be at the finish line.
I have my kids full time and did it when they were young. Definitely possible!! Great job for single mum too with work hours and times you need care.
I'm a nurse and studied wasn't single at the time but not far from it still looked after the kids and everything else required and did far better than ever expected don't work full time but make about 80k thinking about continuing to study since ive had another baby
I'm 34 and studying a bachelor of education. I have 2 young children and I work part time as well.
The difference is though that I'm partnered. In saying that my best friend is a solo parent to one child and is about to graduate.
You bet you can do it mumma, is it hard, absolutely. Is it worth it... you bet.
Start off part time. Just tell yourself that you'll take 6 years instead of 4 and if you do it quicker then amazing!!
Go to the uni and have a chat with the education advisor. They'll point you in the right direction
My study load is very different, but my situation is similar.
I’m a single parent of 4, with 100% care, in my mid 30’s.
I’m currently doing my cert 3 in early childhood education, while working.
I don’t have family support, but I have great support from friends.
Somehow I’m managing to study, work, raise my kids & almost maintain my home and yard!
If you want it enough, you’ll make it work.