A NEW NORMALHOW TO FIND YOUR FEET AS A FIRST-TIME, FIRST IN FAMILY STUDYING PARENT.

Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, life with children is always busy and unpredictable, so it’s no wonder many studying parents

worry about how university will fit into their lives. If you haven’t grown up with a studying parent, sibling or child it can be even more challenging to understand how university might impact

your family routine.

While every family dynamic is different, it can be helpful to know that there are many First in Family mums and dads who have gone before

you and found ways to make life work as a studying parent.

We’ve sought out their tips, tricks and words of wisdom to help both you and your family adjust to life with a student in the house. It might not be easy, but you can find a place for study in your family routine.

The golden ruleWhen it comes to life as a studying parent, the golden rule is

clear communication.

With so many competing priorities, it’s essential that your family members, friends, lecturers and colleagues are kept in the loop with

matters related to your study so that they can be understanding and in a better position to support you.

“Plan and communicate with your family, friends, manager and work colleagues. Most

of the time people are willing to help out or give you breathing space if they know in

advance what you’ve got going on.”

Ryan

“Get to know your lecturers early on and make them aware of your circumstances if

they’re likely to impact your study. Also, make sure you apply early for an

extension if you need it.”

Sally

Who to talk to• Share your study schedule or timetable with those it’s likely to impact, such as

your family and work colleagues.

Who to talk to• Share your study schedule or timetable with those it’s likely to impact, such as

your family and work colleagues.

• Gently but frequently remind those around you if you have upcoming deadlines or are approaching exams and don’t be afraid to be explicit about what support you need. It’s not fair to expect your family or partner to guess what you need from them, and then be disappointed if they get it wrong. Remember, university is a new concept for the whole family.

Who to talk to• Share your study schedule or timetable with those it’s likely to impact, such as

your family and work colleagues.

• Gently but frequently remind those around you if you have upcoming deadlines or are approaching exams and don’t be afraid to be explicit about what support you need. It’s not fair to expect your family or partner to guess what you need from them, and then be disappointed if they get it wrong. Remember, university is a new concept for the whole family.

• Talk about your study with your family. Share what you’re learning and experiencing.

Who to talk to• Share your study schedule or timetable with those it’s likely to impact, such as

your family and work colleagues.

• Gently but frequently remind those around you if you have upcoming deadlines or are approaching exams and don’t be afraid to be explicit about what support you need. It’s not fair to expect your family or partner to guess what you need from them, and then be disappointed if they get it wrong. Remember, university is a new concept for the whole family.

• Talk about your study with your family. Share what you’re learning and experiencing.

• Don’t be a stranger to your lecturers. If your personal circumstances are affecting your studies or you need to apply for an extension, communicate openly with them to explore your options.

Who to talk to• Share your study schedule or timetable with those it’s likely to impact, such as

your family and work colleagues.

• Gently but frequently remind those around you if you have upcoming deadlines or are approaching exams and don’t be afraid to be explicit about what support you need. It’s not fair to expect your family or partner to guess what you need from them, and then be disappointed if they get it wrong. Remember, university is a new concept for the whole family.

• Talk about your study with your family. Share what you’re learning and experiencing.

• Don’t be a stranger to your lecturers. If your personal circumstances are affecting your studies or you need to apply for an extension, communicate openly with them to explore your options.

• Don’t forget to keep in touch with your Student Relationship Officer (SRO). If you need support, guidance or information about university, they will be able to point you in the right direction of one of the University’s many resources.

Setting the paceOne of the most common challenges for First in Family mums and dads is finding the study pace and workload that suits them best. Adjusting to new types of learning and assessment can take time, and figuring out where study fits within your family routine can also be a process of trial and error. Often your routine will change and evolve as you move through your studies.

While it’s understandable that you’d want to hit the ground running with your studies, be careful not to take on too much, too early.

“A slow start is very useful in getting your head around uni and study processes. From my experience, take on only one course if

it’s your first time at uni, so that you can get used to everything and find out how much

effort is required.”

Andre

“At the beginning I jumped in and tried to do three or four courses, but it was too much. I was really hard on myself when I had to drop some courses. My advice is, don’t try to take on too much. Start out

slow and build up, and set a pace that suits you.”

Melanie

How to find your rhythm• Start out slowly with one or two courses, then build your workload as

your confidence and experience grows.

How to find your rhythm• Start out slowly with one or two courses, then build your workload as your

confidence and experience grows.

• Reach out early if you need help. Your SRO and the team at Student Services are great resources that can support you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

How to find your rhythm• Start out slowly with one or two courses, then build your workload as your

confidence and experience grows.

• Reach out early if you need help. Your SRO and the team at Student Services are great resources that can support you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

• Don’t be afraid to try different study modes (such as part-time or online study) as you work toward finding your best fit.

How to find your rhythm• Start out slowly with one or two courses, then build your workload as your

confidence and experience grows.

• Reach out early if you need help. Your SRO and the team at Student Services are great resources that can support you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

• Don’t be afraid to try different study modes (such as part-time or online study) as you work toward finding your best fit.

• Be aware of course census dates so that if you do want to reduce your study workload, you can do so without financial or academic penalty.

The logistics of studyIt’s one thing to communicate about study and to find your pace, but

as a studying parent it’s likely that one of your biggest concerns is working out exactly when and where study will fit into your life.

With a busy family schedule to navigate, learning to make the most of every few spare minutes will be a valuable skill. It’s likely that there will have to be sacrifices and compromises, but you can find a place for study in your family routine and those short-term inconveniences

will all be worth it in the long run.

“When I first started studying I’d sit in another

room with the door closed, which removed me from the family and made the guilt of

taking time away from my kids even worse. I ended up moving my desk into the living

area so that when I was studying I could still be a part of everything.”

Kerri

“I found it very difficult to study in the evening after working long days. I’d choose instead to rise around 4am some mornings

and put in an hour or so before work. As such, I had to sacrifice many weekends

for study.”

Bruce

“Leading up to exams I tend to sacrifice more time and lock myself away for an

entire day or weekend. This usually means I miss out on time with the family, exercise,

leisure activities, even some sleep. But in the long run, it’s worth it.”

Ryan

Settling into a schedule• As well as having your own study space, make the most of the flexibility of your online course

materials and equip yourself for study on the go. Waiting to collect kids from school could be a valuable opportunity for a 10 minute catch-up session if you’re prepared.

Settling into a schedule• As well as having your own study space, make the most of the flexibility of your online course

materials and equip yourself for study on the go. Waiting to collect kids from school could be a valuable opportunity for a 10 minute catch-up session if you’re prepared.

• Review your current routine and look for opportunities to delegate or remove commitments to free more time for study. Remember, it’s likely something will have to give, so make a conscious decision as to what you’re willing to cut back on or go without.

Settling into a schedule• As well as having your own study space, make the most of the flexibility of your online course

materials and equip yourself for study on the go. Waiting to collect kids from school could be a valuable opportunity for a 10 minute catch-up session if you’re prepared.

• Review your current routine and look for opportunities to delegate or remove commitments to free more time for study. Remember, it’s likely something will have to give, so make a conscious decision as to what you’re willing to cut back on or go without.

• Remember that there is no right or wrong study schedule. Whether you study best at 4pm, 4am or have four study sessions in one day, go with the flow of whatever works best for you.

Finding family timeMany First in Family mums and dads worry about the impact their study might have on their family and feel guilty for missing out on time with their partners and kids.

While it’s not easy to have to take time away from your loved ones to study,

keeping on top of your workload and assessment means that you’re able to give

them your full attention and be 100% present during the time you do spend

together, instead of being distracted by thoughts of uni.

“While we don’t have much family time during the semester, when school holidays

are on we really enjoy it.”

Andre

“What works well for me with my son is we set aside a set amount of time

to play together with the understanding that when the alarm goes off my break is

finished and I have to go back to studying.”

Melanie

“You do feel guilty, but then you go ‘hang on, I’m doing this so that we can

all have a better life’.”

Roslyn

Tips for finding family time• Involve your children in your study routine wherever

possible, or study alongside them when they do their homework. Some of the subjects you’re learning about may be of interest to your children too.

Tips for finding family time• Involve your children in your study routine wherever

possible, or study alongside them when they do their homework. Some of the subjects you’re learning about may be of interest to your children too.

• Try to schedule in some regular study break activities with your kids or partner. Even something simple such as a trip to the coffee shop together once a week, can soon become treasured time together amid a busy schedule.

Tips for finding family time• Involve your children in your study routine wherever

possible, or study alongside them when they do their homework. Some of the subjects you’re learning about may be of interest to your children too.

• Try to schedule in some regular study break activities with your kids or partner. Even something simple such as a trip to the coffee shop together once a week, can soon become treasured time together amid a busy schedule.

• When you are having family time, make a conscious effort to be present and avoid distractions. Pop your phones into a bowl, turn off the telly and give each other your full attention.

Tips for finding family time• Involve your children in your study routine wherever

possible, or study alongside them when they do their homework. Some of the subjects you’re learning about may be of interest to your children too.

• Try to schedule in some regular study break activities with your kids or partner. Even something simple such as a trip to the coffee shop together once a week, can soon become treasured time together amid a busy schedule.

• When you are having family time, make a conscious effort to be present and avoid distractions. Pop your phones into a bowl, turn off the telly and give each other your full attention.

• Plan a special meal or activity together to mark the end of the semester. This can then be something for everyone to look forward to during busy times.

Seeking and accepting supportAs a parent, you’re probably used to being the superman or

superwoman of the house, juggling the roles of taxi driver, chef, nurse, tutor, cleaner… just to name a few.

Throw your new role of student into the mix and you’ve got a long list of responsibilities!

When juggling so many competing priorities, it’s important to give yourself a break, put the cape in the wash, and be willing to seek and accept the support that you need, both as a parent and as a student.

By making use of your support network, you can find a place for study in your family routine.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions of lecturers, they are there to help you. Also, find another person in your class that you

can relate to and share the load. It can be reassuring to have the support

of a fellow student.”

Maria

“Making it as a studying parent is a case of good life balance.

Don’t take on too much, and be willing to recognise in yourself if you’re not coping.”

Sally

How to seek support• Be honest with yourself if you feel as though you’re not coping. Rely on your support

network and be open about what you need from them.

How to seek support• Be honest with yourself if you feel as though you’re not coping. Rely on your support network

and be open about what you need from them.

• Get in touch with your SRO or the team at Student Services. These free resources exist to support you as a student, so don’t be afraid to reach out and make use of them.

How to seek support• Be honest with yourself if you feel as though you’re not coping. Rely on your support network

and be open about what you need from them.

• Get in touch with your SRO or the team at Student Services. These free resources exist to support you as a student, so don’t be afraid to reach out and make use of them.

• Let yourself accept help. Whether it’s an offer to babysit, do a load of washing or an invitation for a cuppa and a chat, don’t be afraid to accept support from others.

How to seek support• Be honest with yourself if you feel as though you’re not coping. Rely on your support network

and be open about what you need from them.

• Get in touch with your SRO or the team at Student Services. These free resources exist to support you as a student, so don’t be afraid to reach out and make use of them.

• Let yourself accept help. Whether it’s an offer to babysit, do a load of washing or an invitation for a cuppa and a chat, don’t be afraid to accept support from others.

• Be willing to delegate responsibilities and share the workload of the home. Tasks may not be done exactly as you would have done them, but they’ll get done nonetheless.

How to seek support• Be honest with yourself if you feel as though you’re not coping. Rely on your support network

and be open about what you need from them.

• Get in touch with your SRO or the team at Student Services. These free resources exist to support you as a student, so don’t be afraid to reach out and make use of them.

• Let yourself accept help. Whether it’s an offer to babysit, do a load of washing or an invitation for a cuppa and a chat, don’t be afraid to accept support from others.

• Be willing to delegate responsibilities and share the workload of the home. Tasks may not be done exactly as you would have done them, but they’ll get done nonetheless.

• Let your friends and family know just how valuable their support has been in helping you to reach your goals. Share your achievements and celebrate together.

Keeping up your confidenceLast but certainly not least, a common challenge for

studying parents is finding and maintaining the self-confidence to overcome the challenges of being a

student mum or dad, and to back themselves in their studies.

University isn’t easy, and while the support of others plays a big role in your success as a student, your most

important and influential supporter is you.

At USQ, there is a community of First in Family studying mums and dads just like yourself, who are each in their own way working

toward their study goals.

While it may not always be easy, you too can find a place for study in your family routine.

“When I first started studying I was really scared that I might not be smart enough to do this, and then by the end of my degree I

had gone on to become valedictorian. My advice is to give it a go and

don’t doubt yourself!”

Kerri

“At the end of the day nobody else is going to do it for you, you’ve got to do it for

yourself. It was hard, especially at the start, but I hate to think where I’d be now if I

never took that step .”

Ricky

Tips for keeping up your confidence• Write down why you’ve chosen to study and what you hope to achieve

and keep your goals visible in your study space.

Tips for keeping up your confidence• Write down why you’ve chosen to study and what you hope to achieve

and keep your goals visible in your study space.

• Be proud of the achievements you make in your studies and celebrate your successes, big and small!

Tips for keeping up your confidence• Write down why you’ve chosen to study and what you hope to achieve

and keep your goals visible in your study space.

• Be proud of the achievements you make in your studies and celebrate your successes, big and small!

• Work toward growing your self-confidence and resilience. These skills take time to develop, but will be invaluable to your success as a student.

Tips for keeping up your confidence• Write down why you’ve chosen to study and what you hope to achieve

and keep your goals visible in your study space.

• Be proud of the achievements you make in your studies and celebrate your successes, big and small!

• Work toward growing your self-confidence and resilience. These skills take time to develop, but will be invaluable to your success as a student.

• Ditch perfection. Keep your workload and responsibilities in perspective and remind yourself that good enough is good enough. You’re doing a great job!

Tips for keeping up your confidence• Write down why you’ve chosen to study and what you hope to achieve

and keep your goals visible in your study space.

• Be proud of the achievements you make in your studies and celebrate your successes, big and small!

• Work toward growing your self-confidence and resilience. These skills take time to develop, but will be invaluable to your success as a student.

• Ditch perfection. Keep your workload and responsibilities in perspective and remind yourself that good enough is good enough. You’re doing a great job!

• Don’t compare yourself to others. Your study journey is unique to you and everyone experiences their own highs and lows. Focus your energy on achieving your goals.

At USQ, there is a community of First in Family studying mums and dads just like yourself, who are each in their own way working toward their

study goals.

While it may not always be easy, you too can find a place for study in your family routine.

CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 31.2.10 08.2016 Graphics © Shutterstock Photos © USQ Online Marketing

social.usq.edu.au

So what are you waiting for?

Join the First in Family community and explore your study options now.

The First in Family Project (Phase 2) is funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Participation Program (HEPP) in 2016, to improve the access, participation and success of students from communities under-represented in higher education.

http://www.usq.edu.au/study