Thursday, 29 March 2012 1:54 a.m.
"I fell pregnant in the first year of my bachelors degree (in June), finished the school year in November so I wasn't hugely pregnant while studying. I took the following year off and returned to full time study just as my daughter turned one. She's two now and I finish my degree in October so we're TTC #2 to fit in well with the finish of my degree.
I plan on returning to study after another year off with #2 to do my Master's degree. It's not easy, but I find it much more flexible than if I were working full time. It's not cheap either but because DH earns only $47k approx (he was on $41k 'til recently and we made that work too), we get a great childcare subsidy, working for families, and an accomodation supplement. I will admit that we also have to take out the Student Loan for living costs which is $160 a week. I'm sure we could make ends meet without it if we tried really hard but my thinking is that that would make the study experience really difficult and I may not feel as compelled to continue. So we live comfortably but owe a fair bit on my student loan...
It sure would be easier to study child-free but having DD has given me the motivation to do my best so that I can provide for her to the best of my ability. I've upped my averages to A's, from my pre-child B's and C's! And I really wouldn't change how it's worked out!"
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