Thoughts on completing a full time Open University degree whilst having a baby and working full time.

In the hopes these thoughts may, in some way, help someone else.

My little one has attended all but one lecture with me, here she is nestled in my nap at my final lecture, writing some incredibly insightful notes. I say all but one, as I fell pregnant in my first year of my degree, whilst running a business and working an evening job. What can I say, I don’t tend to do things by half. I remember feeding her as a newborn in the first lecture of the second year, looking down at her thinking how on earth are we going to manage this, little one?

I mentioned to a friend recently, should they know someone thinking of doing a full time degree under similar circumstances, that I might not recommend it, it’s been a lot. They replied they didn’t know anyone who would even consider doing so, whilst working and having a baby. Upon reflection, I disagree with myself. On Wednesday I submitted my final assignment and, whilst it’s been a challenge, I have managed to do it. I’m proud of myself and I’m so glad I chose to do it.

The thing is, there is never enough time, it’s never really the right time either, but whether you begin now or three years down the line, the time will still pass. A thought dawned on me today, if I’d have chosen to do the degree part-time, I’d only be half-way through. I imagine had it been part-time, I’d have put just as much time and energy, angst and deliberation into the past three years as I have done completing the degree full-time.

If you’re considering something similar, you’re more capable than you think, but you don’t need me to tell you that. You know that really, because it’s already a thought, a possibility, a tiny little seed.

It takes a lot of resilience, commitment and perseverance. Particularly, if like me, you have a busy house, a busy life and a little one that doesn’t really sleep. After working all day, playing, making dinner, enthusiastically enjoying bath and a book, tidying up, sorting the washing out, preparing for the next day, all on very little sleep, I can promise you the last thing I ever wanted to do was open my laptop and start learning and researching. Using up annual leave, bank holidays and precious weekends has caused me much heartache. But I have reminded myself throughout, that I’m showing a little soul what we can be capable of when we put our minds to it. The vision in my mind, which has gotten me through, is her, on her Dad’s shoulders at my graduation. (And, I couldn't have done it without him either, particularly to get me through the kitchen table meltdowns at 1am ).

My resilience has grown, my metaphorical perseverance muscle has been working out relentlessly. As we say in Spanish “poco a poco” - “little by little”. And, little by little is how it can be done. I have honed incredible focus, with an ability to complete a huge task in spurts of 20-40 minutes (hello sleep cycles). My time management is better than it’s ever been before. I’ve learned how to accept criticism of my work, to learn from it and to not take it personally. I’ve also sharpened my ability to be flexible and constantly and continually prioritise. I’ve developed critical thinking and research skills, the ability to swiftly read and interpret data accurately. To problem solve and suggest evidence based recommendations. I’ve deepened my knowledge in areas I’m passionate about and discovered new topics, theories and interests along the way, too.

But most importantly, above all else, when I hit ‘submit’ on that final assignment, I proved to myself I could do it. I have done it.

And, if I can, so can you.