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How much workload for 2 and 3 units per semester and juggling degree with family life???

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Author How much workload for 2 and 3 units per semester and juggling degree with family life???

bmacca83

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Thu Jun 14, 2012 5:06 pm

I have just received my offer to start my Bachelor of Nursing this year, going in midyear.  I felt starting midyear was a better option for me as my first year will be over a yr and a half, so nicely between fulltime and part time.

I will initally be starting with 2 units in 'my' semester 1 which is really sem 2, but then going up to 3 units for both semesters next year.  If for 2nd and 3rd yr I go full time, which is my plan, I will still only ever have 3 units, thankfully dodging any semesters with 4 units.

As I have a 4yr old and 10mth old, I am really conscious of being realistic about taking on too much.  My degree is really important to me but my kids will always be number 1, they're my inspiration after all.

I guess my main question is, how many days at uni can I expect for the 3 units per sem, I know I'm at uni for 2 days with 2 units, will it just go upto 3 days??

My plan for uni is to spend the time between lectures and labs to study and or work on assignments etc, sneak a few hrs of reading in per day when my youngest is sleeping and my 4yo is at kindy and when I need extra time on top of that, spend a Sunday at the library finishing off work that's due, whilst my supportive hubby plays mum for the day.  Is this plan realistic or am I lulling myself into a false sense of security thinking (hoping) this will be enough to ensure great marks?? 

I know some people will say I should wait til my kids are older etc, but when is ever the right time?  I'm hoping that because my kids are young, without sport commitments etc, if I disappear for the odd Sunday or a night here and there to go to a study group, they won't remember and I know they are safe at home with Dad or having a sleep over with Nana and Pop.

Does anyone out there have any experience with juggling both study and family?  I feel with 2 to 3 units it's not an over commitment but I would love to hear others experiences and opinions.  Thanks

p.s. I'm studying at Murdoch PEEL campus, WA if anyone has any experiences there also

Schizo

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Jun 15, 2012, 07:03 am

Your plan is very do-able...if there's such a word for it...lol

Usually the first semesters subjects are easiest and gets progressively difficult into final year. Whilst attending lectures are common place, you will find a lot of students (including full timers) missing lectures and catching up merely using lecture notes which are usually posted online before the lecture for students to download. I am one of these bludgers and find that it works well for me....I work and home keep and as such did have my hands full whilst studying.

However do allow time for clinical placements...it can make family arrangements difficult because nowadays its also not unusual for students to end up doing a clinical placement at the same time due to complete assignments. Mature age students end to try to completer their assignments well ahead of time to provide contingencies for time management.

Wishing you the best for your endeavour and enjoy.

bmacca83

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Jun 17, 2012, 11:20 pm

Thanks for getting back to me Schizo.

The day I wrote that post was the day after finding out I got my place at uni, so I was starting to feel very overwhelmed at the enormity of the degree.  I'm feeling much better now, knowing I have a support unit at home and not looking at the degree as a whole, but rather getting thru each day...week...semester etc.

I am a critical planner, so I have already made mental notes on how to work around placements with the kids and I know that as soon as I've been issued with a subject to write a paper on, I'll make a start.

It was really helpful to hear that my plan is do-able and my ideals aren't unrealistic.  Apart from what I wrote about my plan to make an early start on essays, utilise all time at uni, a spare hr a day at home and maybe the odd Sunday to round off an essay, is there more that you would normally include in your study routine?  or is it one of those things that you can't judge til your doing the subject?  Do you find some subjects just seem to click and make sense and there are other subjects that you really need to dedicate more time to as they're harder to grasp or just require more repitition to sink in??

Can you recommend anything I should try to learn or read before starting my 1st semester, I'm not interested in being top of the class but anything that can make starting this degree easier or give me a little extra confidence would be amazing.

Thanks again 

Schizo

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Jun 19, 2012, 06:07 am

If you allow a ahead start on your subjects, it should be comfortable for you. Studying on general anatomy and large organ functions will give you a chance to see how they are inter-related. Example - The kidney is not only a filter but also regulates blood pressure through modulating renin release or fluid retention.

Not all subjects will click and for that you might want to focus a bit more time on them. Surprise, surprise - YouTube is an excellent platform for visual learning - good for example for lessons on IDC (indwelling catheter) insertion for both male and female. Irrigation of IDC and etc etc.

All the best

swaz12

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Jun 28, 2012, 08:56 pm

Hi there Bmacca83,

Im also starting my degree in semester 2 @ the Peel campus! I also have 2 little ones at home so know exactly how you are feeling :) My 2 are 5 & just turned 1. they are adorable, but I find that my little girl is very demanding!!

I am lucky enough to only be doing the 1 unit, as I have a credit for previous study at Murdoch in the foundation course...YAY!!

I think that your study plan is a good one, and should work providing you don't have any unexpected issues along the way, as we all do from time to time.

when do you have your Tut? I have mine on Monday the last one, 4-6. Thought it may be a better time, not as busy etc and have more time to 'get' things lol if you know what I mean.

It has been about 10+ years since I was last at Uni so I am too a bit hesitant and over whelmed with what to expect come the following years at Uni.

Good luck! I hope that everything works out for us YAY!!:-)

Swaz

bmacca83

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Jun 28, 2012, 11:24 pm

Hi Swaz12,

It's nice to hear that someone else will be starting at the same time as me who is also in the same circumstances.

I must admit that I'm feeling alot more confident and excited about getting into the degree, when I wrote my initial post I was having a BIG meltdown day.  I do tend to overwhelm myself sometimes, worrying about things that haven't happened yet...will I cope?? will I still be there for my kids???  Joys of being a mum I guess, 'worry' is our middle name after all!!

I'm doing the 2-4 tut on the monday, just cause I've got the lecture at 8.30am and thought it would be useful to have a few hrs at uni to read etc before the tut whilst my kids are at daycare.

It sounds like you will have a great opportunity to ease into uni life by having the 1 unit for the semester.  Will you be going upto the 3 units per sem for 2013, like myself?  I am hoping to go fulltime in 2014 and 15 as all those semesters will also be 3 units and since they 'strongly encourage' you to be fulltime for 3rd yr, it makes sense to me to continue with the 3 units for 2014 (2nd yr)...

I have never been to uni before so it's a very new and exciting experience for me, how great to give up Barbies for an intellectual conversation..yay!!!

I have tried to prepare myself mentally for any curveballs thrown my way from life, it's pretty much a guarantee it's going to happen somewhere along the way. I guess I'm confident in my ability to make the most of every spare minute and not procrastinate, organise myself and family within an inch of our lives and prioritise EVERYTHING, all the experiences that motherhood affords us.

Best of luck to you, thanks for your encouragement and belief that my 'PLAN' is realistic.  Maybe we'll bump into each other somewhere along the way.  Goodluck and enjoy it all ;) 

swaz12

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Jun 28, 2012, 11:46 pm

Hey Bmacca, 

How do we chat while online, do you know?? Lol

Do you live in Mandurah? I live in Southern River so I have quite a commute to Peel....but I really want to do this & have been wanting to do this degree for a long time!! So really looking forward to actually starting. Like you mentioned, just take it 1 week at a time, 1 assignment at a time :) 

Tell me about it with planning....I have been cooking up a storm to freeze!! Lol lol 

Are you going to the orientation day on the 24th July? Should be good fun & also a chance to get to know the campus too. 

I just can't wait tostart, anywayenough of my rumbling on! 

Hopefully we will bump into each other lol 

Cheers swaz

Sarahq

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Jul 11, 2012, 07:06 am

It certainly is do-able

I have an almost 3 year old and now a newborn. Bubs was borun just before exams. What has worked for me is cramming as many subjects on one day. Even if there were lengthy periods of molasses that's the time I studied.

I found that I could do most stuff whilst I was at uni. Very rarely have Ihave to dLehrer amounts of study at home with the kids.

My husband and I had discussed to go full steam ahead and of it got too hard then we would look at dropping subjects. So far so good. Remember that you have a good month at the start of semester to start subjects and drop out without financial penalty. This might help and give you an idea if you can manage.

Just do what yoU can do and don't be afraid to ask for help!

Good luck :)

Sarahq

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Jul 11, 2012, 07:09 am

Jeepers

Sorry about all those typos!Stupid iPhone :)

bmacca83

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Jul 11, 2012, 07:14 pm

Thanks Sarahq, it's always nice to hear of people in the same situation as the one I'll soon be in.  As the days wear on and it becomes more real, I'm getting more excited and looking forward to what lays ahead.  Like you say I can only judge once I'm doing it and if it's too much then I can drop back a bit, thankfully starting midyear means I'll only ever have 3 units so to me that seems more do-able.  Good luck to yourself and your family, it sounds as if you definintely have your hands full, but I'm sure your looking at the big picture...for some short term stress and periods of possibly feeling overwhelmed, we'll be in careers that are rewarding aswel as flexible to be there for our families for many more years.  All the best and thanks again for the positive comments.

Sarahq

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Jul 17, 2012, 04:15 pm

HI again bmacca

You will be fine - and I am sure the semester will fly by and you will wonder what you were worried about!!

Keep Smiling and all the best :)

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