Baby and grad school, can it be done?

sterjacks21 · April 2015

I am currently going back and forth between applying to graduate school in the fall. I'm scared that if I stop my schooling now (I graduate undergrad in two weeks) that I'll never go back to school. My undergrad degree isn't something that you can really get a job in, you have to specialize in grad school to get the job opportunities. I'm just wondering if any of you have done the whole grad school and a brand new baby thing? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

els831 · April 2015

I'm in medical school and will have my baby in September of my last year of school. So far, I definitely say it can be done! Two keys are a supportive partner (and preferably family help, but we don't have that and feel ok) and financial resources. For us, that's my husband's salary plus some cost of living loans from my school. For me, something clicked in my heart that I was ready for a family and would just have to find a way to make it all work...and so far it has! I definitely say go for it!

sterjacks21 · April 2015

Med school! That is so impressive! Good for you! Med school is my absolute dream but I messed up my GPA freshman and sophomore year of college....to much partying not enough studying.

MiromiM · April 2015

I've known people who have gotten it done (my DH was recently graduated with his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and I'll be *hopefully* in grad school for Bio the year after next). Know that it will most likely take you longer to finish. Also, because babies sleep erratically, I would consider someone else watching the little one while you are studying/taking classes. Are you also going to be working outside of grad school? Do you have to go full time (9 hours)? Does your partner also work? Can you do a lot of your classwork/research on the computer?

XCrissCrossX · April 2015

I would wait until January. If you start classes and then have a baby you're going to fall behind right at the beginning and be super stressed about it the entire semester. You will be exhausted and will feel like you're not giving either school or the baby the attention it deserves.
Can you tell I've BtDt?
It can be done if you have enough support but I wouldn't suggest it. Having a baby changes your entire life including your relationship with your SO. Acclimating to those things without starting a new program at a new school is hard enough.

sarahlinde · April 2015

I am on baby #4 now. I started grad school right after I had my last child. Is it hard? Yes! Can it be done? Yes! If its somethingg you really want to do, i highly suggest doing it right away. The older your kids get the more you are going to want to be with them. I am so glad I did it when I did or I do t think I ever would have done it. It was definitely a challenge with 3 kids and my husband working second shift but totally worth it! Good luck to you if you decide to do it!!

Elecin · April 2015

I'm doing my MBA now. It's not easy when you're tired but it can be done. You can do it!

whytheatre · April 2015

I'm in law school currently and I decided to double up on summer classes so that I can take the fall off. I just don't want my grades to drop because I'm not sleeping much come September. I know it will be difficult when I start back in January but it will definitely be doable. You can do anything you desire too!

ReneeJ2011 · April 2015

I started grad school 6 days before I got my BFP! I had come to the point where I wasn't going to put my life on hold since who knew if I would actually be able to get pregnant (we had tried for 2 years when I applied) then bam right after school starts pregnant!! My plan is to continue full time because by the time I get off maternity leave I will be in my final year and mostly just clinical and clinical related theory classes so really hard to switch to part time at that point.

Princeapea · April 2015

I'm currently in grad school for my nurse practitioner license.. I am taking the fall semester off and then resuming in January.. Since I'll have the majority of that semester off of work - I'd like to spend as much time with bebe before returning to full time work and grad school

KellyT22 · April 2015

As someone who is supporting her husband while he is a full time student, I can offer an some advice on what it's like on the other side....if can be done if your partner can support you and the baby financially.

You will be unbelievably busy with school. You'll want to help, but the reality is that most of the childcare and housework will fall to your partner. It is incredibly exhausting and at times frustrating to bear this mostly on your own. I would almost say that you need to carve out time to do chores, etc. treat them like homework if you need to. It'll make life easier on both of you.

thefuturemrsdaniel · April 2015

I've done my whole engineering degree with my son. I'll be finishing it up the last classes in the fall and spring. I only have 5 classes left so I'm splitting them up. Mine are completely online so that makes a huge difference.

cksmommy · April 2015

I was working on my Masters when I was pregnant with my first DD. I graduated when she was a few months old. I am now working on a specialist degree while pregnant again. I also work full time. Most of my classes are online which allows me to work ahead to prepare for baby. It can be done!

Willow1400 · April 2015

I just started a new job that will give me a free degree. I'm planning on starting my MBA next month because, hey, free degree. I'm going 100% online and doing one class at a time so I'm hoping it's manageable!

monicaP · April 2015

I read this post last night and fully woke up this morning thinking I had to start school in September and couldn't figure out who was going to watch the baby. Never mind I completed my masters 9 years ago (that makes me sound so old).

When I did get my masters in teaching I was also working full time, not quite the same as being a mom, but time consuming. I would agree with others who suggest taking a few courses this summer to get ahead and then start up for good in January. Definitely do it, I watched my mom try and try again, but with four children she just never was able to complete her degree. She has been successful without it, but she still talks about finishing when she retires.

sterjacks21 · April 2015

Thank you for all of your replys! Sadly the program I'm passionate about is not online at all. But in going to apply anyway and if I get accepted maybe defer enrollment until January. Or maybe just see if I can take one class for the first semester.

jyoga87 · April 2015

I'm in my last year of a PhD program and I will be completing a full time psychology internship (equivalent to a medical residency ) when baby is born. I'm lucky I have DH's salary and family as resources for childcare. It can definitely be done but I would consider waiting a semester or two so you can better adjust to your program. You will then have time to understand the workload, or, be proactive in planning how to adjust your acadmic schedule to enroll part time. Having two major transitions right at the same time can be stressful especially if both are unpredictable. After a few months in grad school you can get the hang of how to adjust, learn what you can afford to spend less time on. It will also help you have time to bond with your peers which in my view were my main support system as they are others that actually understand the stressors of academia. It of course depends on your program but this is just my view based on my experience.

Some grad programs are very family friendly because you may not have class more than 2 days a week. In my program I was both in class and working clinical hours totalling 50 hrs/wk, so not a typical grad program and not family friendly at all.

The beginning was harder because I didn't know what was going on yet, and then I learned from upper class men how to manage the workload . but my program is also 5 years and very strenuous, 20% of my class dropped out because of the workload and finances, none were parents.

ginaannechelan · April 2015

In in year two of an EdD program and have chosen to take off from August to December. The first trimester kicked my hiney, so keeping up with coursework and working full time were a huge point of stress. I want the time off and will enjoy the break as I continue to prepare for my dissertation.

I understand what you mean about finishing your BA and starting a Masters program. That's exactly what I did. I had 8 days inbetween graduating and starting class again, including a move from WA to OR. But somehow I still managed a vacation to Mexico in that short period of time. If you do get into the program, you could always ask a few 1st year students about the workload and expectations.

Good luck!

buckeyemomma2be · April 2015

I will start on my masters degree 2 weeks before my due date. If I don't start in the fall semester I have to defer a year and I definitely don't want to do that. I look at it as what's the difference between working full time and going to school than new mommy and school?!

prettyesq08 · April 2015

I had my son while I was in my last year of law school. I had a new born while preparing for the bar. In a weird way I feel like my son made me focused to do the best. It was challenging. Lots of not so fun meals like tune fish but we made it! You can too.

I did also want you to know that I took 2 yrs off between undergrad and law school. I worked outside of my chosen field but I was able to save money and prepare. I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer so I was NOT giving up on my plan. If you can focused on your ultimate goal and break is not a horrible thing.

wifemomslp · April 2015

It can be done! I had my first daughter in grad school. My program was demanding I had classes plus externships which required me to carry a caseload (speech language pathologist) all while working full time on third shift! It was crazy but I manage to graduate with honors but like everyone says a supportive partner was key for me! I couldn't have done it without my husband! He was amazing. Push through you can do it and it's worth it in the end! Best if luck
To you!

mrsnadiamitchell · April 2015

yes! My friend who got pregnant at 14 just got her diploma! While looking after her baby

go for it chick!

Ccram · April 2015

If grad school is something that you really want go for it! When my baby is due I'll be finishing up my last year of grad school to become a nurse practitioner which entails in class time and clinical hours. I have found my professors to be very supportive and encouraging. Actually a few other women have had babies while in the program too so it can be done! I also am very fortunate to have a supportive husband and family to count on. I know the next year is going to be tough but it's something I want to do and know I won't look back with regret. Good luck!

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