First semester back and I'm struggling....

[amber.babiesinbloom]

I graduated from high school in 2006, and then did two semesters in college with an undecided major - just did some gen ed classes. I then quit school completely because I was so frustrated not knowing where in life I was going, and got married in 2008 and had two beautiful babies! Through many events, I came to realize my calling - nurse midwifery. My plans are UoSC for my ADN, the ADN-MSN Bridge from FNU, and either my MSN from FNU or EC. The ultimate goal is 6 years away, but I just have to take it a step at a time!

This is my first semester back since 2007, and I have a husband, home, and two children under 2 years old! Stressful to say the least!!

I'm taking composition & rhetoric, advanced college algebra, music theory (humanities elective), microbiology, and microbiology lab. I have A's in C&R and Music, B in Micro and Lab, and C in Algebra. Overall I have a 3.53 GPA. In general, I feel like this is decent - especially considering my circumstances - but I just feel like I'm not going good "enough" - especially in advanced algebra! I've always been horrible in math and didn't get the strong foundation in high school. My HS math teacher was also athletic director and was way more focused on athletics than teaching. She allowed us to do tests in groups and I had an A average but learned nothing. I go to tutoring 3x per week - all I can - but still can't manage more than a C.

I'm also finding it hard to balance life as a mom and life as a student. My husband works 12 hour shifts and works 1.5hrs away - so he's gone a good 15hrs per day. I have classes 2 days per week from 8am-8pm and my parents keep my kids during that time. When I am home, I feel like all I do is tons and tons and TONS of homework and my kids just can't understand why I am not spending time with them like I used too. Mama's - how do you balance it all? I'm struggling.

[Sharon7RN]

Hi,

I sympathize with you completely! I am a married, 30 year old mother of four, and a full time nursing student who is about to enter my second quarter starting 10-3. I learned a lot from my first quarter, including how to properly manage my time and prioritize. I definitely know what you mean about homework though. There were plenty of moments when I felt like pulling my hair out, and banging my head against the wall! :hdvwl: I really wasn't sure how I was going to make it through all four of my classes, but quitting was not an option. I kept trudging along and made it through with all As.

I think you're doing great so far! When you get free time just make sure that you spend as much time with your children as you can. Quality is definitely better than quantity at this point. Before you know it, you'll be done with college, and can then reap the benefits of all your hard work.:grad:

[pc2801]

I'm not a mother, but my first semester back to school, I took a lighter course load to get my feet wet. I also knew chemistry was going to be my hardest course, so I tried to take it with other courses that would be a little easier for me. Finally, I used the tutor at my college as much as I could. I had classes at the times she offered tutoring 2x a week at a different school 30 miles away. There was no way I could be in 2 places at once, but I had an A in that class and knew the professor from working with him at a job several years before. I explained to him that I would fail Chemistry if I couldn't put in more time with the tutor and asked if he minded my absence given that I was doing well in his course. I read all the chapters and maintained an A in his class without the benefit of his lectures the last couple weeks of the semester and pulled my Chem grade from an F to a C while maintaining A's in 5 other classes I was taking that semester.

[kcee91]

Sorry wrong section, but I'm in your shoes also. I haven't given up, but it seems like what I"m doing right now isn't good enough. Good luck though.

[AliF]

I study a lot later at night, and I take online classes. I'm doing much better now that my older one is in school all day, so then I can study when the baby naps. I also lean on my husband to do things like put the kids to bed in the evening so I can get a bit more study time in.

I'm taking 11 credits this semester, and honestly I feel like that's enough. It'll take me a little longer, but I don't want to sacrifice my family time entirely for school. I have learned to let things go a bit- the house is messier, and I'm behind on the laundry, but my kids are loved and fed and my homework is done on time. Sometimes you just have re-prioritize.