fresh start

[spitbath]

i'm starting school in a few weeks and and square one with college credit (went to trade school a while ago, changed my mind) my DH works full time, we have a 3mo LO, and MIL will be watching him while i'm in class (about 2hrs daily). that's our situation, and to me it looks manageable, and to be honest, exciting! the 6 months i've been at home due to pregnancy and birth have been driving me crazy, and i finally know what i want to study..

i guess my question for y'all is if you have any personal insights for me starting out. i would really appreciate hearing any wisdom going into this as a parent (and a lady trying to stay sane ) i'd love to hear from anybody who can look back at themselves in a similar situation thinking "i wish i would have known..."

thanks in advance!!

[Penelope]

Congratulations! What an exciting adventure.

My best advice: good attendence. If you've got a good record of coming to class, asking questions when you don't understand, keeping up with the material, then if you need to miss class because of a sick baby or something, your instructors will be much more understanding.

Common mistakes my students make: they don't buy the books (I know! crazy!); they don't take me seriously when I tell them I fail for plagiarism (so if you're at all uncertain, ask for clarification on citing your sources); they don't ask for help when they need it and then get lost or behind.

Honestly, the maturity that comes with motherhood will be greatly to your advantage - college can be a real challenge sometimes to traditional-age students if they don't have much experience in being self-directed.

Great good luck.

[spitbath]

thanks for that great advice. i'm really going to take that to heart

[purplevega]

Good luck. I really enjoy being in school and am excited to start back on Wednesday. I have been in school since DS2 was six months old. It was a very few hours a week and now has increase to us using a nanny at our home for 12 hours per week. Both my DS enjoy(ed) spending time with daddy, grandma, and now the nanny. I always try and keep in mind that I am doing this(school) for my furture and my childrens.

Advice for school...stay ahead. Read chapters before lectures so the material is a review not new. That way if you still don't understand something after lecture you can ask your professor. Also find a study partner. I have had the same study buddy for 2 years. We meet 1-2 times a week to do review work books and bounce ideas off each other.

Kim

[punkrockmomma]

OP, I'm in a slightly similar situation to you. I'm starting school full time this month. I'm 29 and haven't been in school for 10 years, and that was culinary school. I now have a 2.5 year old DD, who will be going to day care 16 hours a week. Which I think she will enjoy, because I think she's bored being at home with just me all day. I'm very excited about the school I'm going to, it has a nationally recognized teacher training program, which is what I'm going to school for. SO, I'm very excited.