Sudent parents -anyone take evening courses, I've got questions

[beebalmmama]

I'm heading back to school this next year to take some pre-requisite coursework for a Master program I would like to apply to. I've got it scheduled out (I hope) to where I'll be going part time all year. Currently I' staying home with my ds 2 (14 months) and ds 1 is in all day kindy. Financially we are pretty darn tight and I've been keeping a child very part time for some extra money. We can keep going like this if I can keep bringing in this small amount of money and dh should be making a small increase this next year. But it will still be tight. If I take classes during the day I wouldn't be able to keep this child (the parents schedule changes biweekly and so I can't plan a class around it). If I take an evening course (two nights a week - 3hours) and the other course online I should be able to continue to keep the childcare money coming in. However I would be losing a couple of nights with ds 1 who is in school all day. I also would still need to figure out when I can study and come up with childcare for my own ds for those times.

My other option is to get a part time job and find care for ds 2. I just wonder if with this situation if I will just be breaking even, in addition to losing the time with ds 2. Although I'm excited to start school I'm not really keen on the idea of sending him off to daycare yet.

[springbabes]

I'm taking prereqs for a masters program right now too. I have evening classes two nights a week and it's not bad at all. The classes are scheduled from 7-10pm but they always let us out 1-2 hours early. I like the 7pm starting time because we can still have our normal family dinner. And because evening classes are designed for parents and people who work full-time, the teachers seem to go easier on you and be a little more flexible. I would choose evening classes over part time employment.

[beebalmmama]

springbabes- When do you find time to study? This is part of my concern. I know I will not be able to do all my studying at home. I'm not a night owl, so late nights are out. I know myself enough to know that I will need designated kid free time and most likely away from the house to get adequate studying done.

I'm thinking if I go this route (eve classes) I may be better off finding a PT nanny/college student and paying hourly care over a daycare center or in home daycare.

[pinksprklybarefoot]

I did the night class thing for some time. It was fine, but I am happy to be taking day classes now.

The homework issue really depends on the type of classes that you are taking. Easy to take at night and sneak study time during the day during naps, etc: psychology, sociology, public speaking, writing. Need defined study time: biochemistry, calculus, microbiology, anatomy & physiology. For me, math and science courses usually require out-of-the-house study time.

[beebalmmama]

For homework I will have one class of each type both semesters. I'll be taking the psychology courses online and presume I'll be able to sneak in studying during the day and on weekends. But the other course will be Anatomy and Physiology for both semesters (the eve course) and I know I will need plenty of out of home study time for this.