Can a SAHM of 3 manage taking 12 credits?

paccookie · Jun 25, 2006

It's not impossible, but you will need to be very disciplined, especially in the online classes. I'm 26 with two small kids (5 and 2 years old). When I returned to college, I took one class (English 1101). At the time, I was working a pretty rigid schedule at a bank (9-5:30 M-F plus every third Saturday 9-1). I got an A in the class and gained a lot of self-confidence. The next semester, I decided to take a full load and change jobs. I took 12 hours - History after 1865, Political Science, online Intro to Psych, online English 1102. I also worked two jobs - very part time as a substitute teacher and nearly full time as a unit secretary at a hospital. Between the two I worked around 30-40 hours a week. It was tough, but I made the dean's list that semester.

One thing I would highly recommend is to take anatomy by itself if at all possible. You will NEED the study time. A&P is not something you can learn by osmosis alone. LOL If you can, try to take the A&P's alone or with one other simple class like health or PE or whatever subject is really easy for you. Then, after you're done with the really hard stuff, go full time and knock out the rest of the pre-reqs. Or do the rest of the pre-reqs first and then plan for 3 semesters/quarters to take nothing but A&P 1&2 and micro. Your grades will stay high and you won't spend all of your time away from your kids. I think you're very fortunate that you don't have to work while in school. I really have no other choice but to work so I found a job that will allow me some study time (night shift at the hospital is nice and they're supportive of my schooling) and give me lots of learning experiences. Good luck to you!

Christina

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 25, 2006

I know it depends on the individual but if you want to do it I say go for it! I started back to school when I had a 6 month old who was still breastfeeding, and a almost 4 year old and I started back to school with 15 credit hours and made straight A's and one of those classes was Anatomy :)

I did pretty much study everyday and I learned to study at just about anytime, anywhere, with noisey kids and one attached to my breast half the time! Usually my kids just wanted to be with me so sometimes I would go lay on their bedroom floor while they played nearby and I would study. I studied a lot in the evenings and just made sure I stayed caught up and didn't get too far behind with reading, projects, etc.

Just wanted to offer some support.

kukukajoo, LPN · Jun 25, 2006

the answer isnt easy. YES you can do that if you want to and need to. Taking a Chem, English and algebra should not be too hard together- much easier than three sciences for sure!! You have to decide what sacrifices you can make.

I can't believe some are saying how hard it will be compared to the other courses we need to take!! That sounds like a well rounded semester- my first semester I took Human Bio, Algebra and English and did wonderful! It was one of the easiest semesters so far despite having a bio prof from hell!

If you get your books ahead and syllibus then start doing the work now!! That is what I did.

First semester back there is this panic sense, or at least I had it. I had not idea what to expect or how much I had to put into it to pull off good grades so I ended up stressed a lot and over studying. Now that I have three semesters under my belt, I am much more relaxed and know how to manage my time between school and the kids and all that.

BTW I am a single mom with three (older, though) who also has to work. Somehow I manage although it can be very difficult at times. I have a 3.92 GPA and only started with GED.

atrice, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2006

My 1st semester back i took 12 credit hrs: Eng.I; Gen. Psych.; Sociology; and Math. I have 2 children and at the time they were around ages 18 months and 3 yrs old. It was extremely difficult (for me that is) but it was also my first time to ever take college classes. I managed to pull all A's....it was the Eng class that really consumed so much of my time.

Now, I would never recommend taking 3 other classes w/ a science class. You know your time availability and yourself ....so do what you think you are capable of handling. Good luck in your decision.

reese19 · Jun 25, 2006

I am a SAHM to two young boys (ages 1 and 3), and I am starting nursing school this fall. I am starting with 2 courses and a 1-credit nursing history course that is required in the first semester. I have a feeling my other two courses will be Chemistry and Anatomy. I think I'll be pretty busy, but I at least have to take 6 credits for financial aid ... I am taking 7 credits. Thankfully, I have a very supportive husband who is helpful in so many ways.

My main worry is the time away from my kids. All of my classes are on-campus and at night. At least I'll be with the kids during the day, but I am concerned that I will be searching for time to study throughout the day, and may be frustrated when I don't get a chance to study.

But I know of many moms who have taken MORE classes than I'm taking, and they have MORE kids AND work full-time, and they made it work and are now nurses. So that is encouraging. I guess, where there's a will there's a way.

I graduated from college 8 1/2 years ago with a BA in journalism, so it has been a while since I've done the whole college thing! I am nervous, but I know that God is my strength, and if He wants me to do this, He will give me what is needed to go on. :)

luvmy2doxies · Jun 25, 2006

I did it, both my children were in school tho, 6 and 7 at the time. I didn't have much of a choice....just went through a divorce, was not getting child support,and was working in a NH during the week from 6-9 pm and going to school all day. I wanted to finish my coursework as fast as I could, so I did register for full time, 12 cr per semester. Somehow I graduated, and I did it with honors, top in my class in fact! So, my suggestion to you would be: do what you feel you can do, especially if you have the support at home, it may make more sense for you to take the longer approach. If you were in my position, you wouldn't have felt you had a choice--and I can say that my kids probably suffered some from my absence during that period of time. Now, I can say it was worth it, but back then---man, it was TOUGH!!!

Good luck to you, and if you need any support, I have lots of TED hose for you ROFL.....

Laura