MSc with a 1 year old
Show your support
Also, mine was in a very different discipline to yours, so you might find some more relevant info from someone else who's done more similar to you. Oh, and it's great using your brain again, but don't be alarmed if you find it to be a bit foggy from not using it! It'll all come back to you.
I did a full-time MSc in Applied Biomedical and Biomolecular Science with my 2nd baby so was breastfeeding and had a toddler (2 under 2) - totally doable then did a full-time MBA with my 3rd (breastfed again but with 2 other sleep stealers) - graduated with Distinction. Starting my PhD with my 4th but doing it part-time as I know I can't finish in a year so full-time isn't practical for when I return to my full-time job. Go for it girl! There will be times when you're exhausted but it's worth it xxx
I started a two year part time MSc in Medical Physics in September 2020 and i got pregnant in February 2021. So I gave birth couple of months after the beginning of second year (i was finishing a couple of assignments in hospital as i was induced early 😂). I asked for an extension for one assignment, but I didn't take any other break. In my case face to face lectures weren't compulsory and they all got recorded, so I never really attended, I just watched the recordings from home. I had some labs, which were supposed to be done over a couple of weeks, but I asked to do all in a couple of days. They were very helpful and understanding; my husband brought the baby to campus and they even provided me with a private room to breastfeed in. When it came to my research project, I chose something on Monte Carlo Modelling so that I could do it all from home. It was tough as my son was around 9 months by then. Luckily he slept through the night so I could pull some all nighers to get some work done! 😂
It was tough, not gonna lie, but it was amazing to complete my masters with distinctions with a baby around! My dissertation also won an award 🥹 So you're definitely not stupid for thinking you can do it, because you 100% can!!!!
If you end up doing it can you update us on how it went? 😅 I was planning to do it once mine gets into toddler years as I thought it would be easier for her to settle with a childminder/nursery (and no more bf).
I started my MSc with my new born baby, now she is two and half. And my graduation is April, I will graduate with distinction..it was hard but it totally worth it!! Make a plan, get excited and one step at the time 💞
Thank you everyone! Really appreciate all your kind words and wisdom speaking from the other side 😂💕 I think I’m just going to go for it. Deadline is 8th June to accept the offer, I keep going back and forth about it and I feel so guilty I’ll be leaving my little guy.. but I know that I really do deserve to do something for myself and it will benefit him in the long run! Can’t help but have a little cry when I think about it though 😭. PS. Please pray for my sanity!! 😵💫😂
I’m finishing my vet degree with my daughter, she was born 2wks before the end of year test. We decided the time was going to pass anyway wanting to finish the degree and wanted to start our family so just making both a priority. Good luck you can do it!
So I’m 6-7 weeks in now and finding it okay! The only thing that is difficult is finding the time to study on an evening, once I get home it’s 5-6pm and I have to do the evening routine with my son. By the time he’s in bed, he’s 8-9pm and I’m absolutely knackered 🥲
I took a break from my PhD when my son was born and picked it up again when he was 10 months old. Different situation to yours though - it was obviously research-based, and I could go at my own pace. I was part-time until he was a bit older (the whole PhD took 9 years). I'm assuming the masters is taught, so you have to follow the university's schedule? Can you do part- time? Is that something you would consider? Not sure where you are, and I know MScs vary a lot, but mine was very hard and full-on. A lot to fit into 1 year, and I wouldn't have managed it with a kid, although it was fine for my PhD. But maybe you're more disciplined than me!