Alice
Second Undergrad – French Specialist Mother of three school aged children and one daughter in university
Zeke
Ph.D. Candidate – Faculty of Physical Education and Kinesiology Father of 1 school-aged son
Edith
Undergrad – Arts and Science Mother of one toddler and one school-aged son
Eric
Ph.D. Candidate – Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Father of 2 preschoolers
Tips
The How She/He Does It participants shared their best methods, tips and strategies for succeeding as student parents. They all lead busy lives with school challenges and successes and time for family and community. Let their insights help you reflect on your best strategies while you give some of theirs a try:
Family Routines and Meals
- Paula found that involving the family in meal planning and grocery shopping transformed it from a dreaded chore into meaningful family time
- Alice has organized home routines so the children pack their own lunches and do daily chores such as pet care or dishes.
“If they can do it they should do it.” – Alice.
Motivation
“I only do things I am highly motivated to do.” Paula
The excitement and gratitude of being in university, and the perspective children gave them, made our participants motivated to do their work and do it well. They also felt that modelling pursuing their goals was an important asset to their parenting. That said, they still faced the challenges of skills gaps, work load, time management, isolation and domestic load. Some marvelled at being so engaged especially if it was a second chance at undergrad. Here are their tips on Motivation:
“I like university because there is a space for this kind of questioning to be happening. Lateral thinking is encouraged. You are allowed to engage with the material in your own way. I think that is why I am staying on this kind of path.” Anna.
- Anna described a day her daughter came to a tutorial and then raised her hand and gave her thoughts. Anna realized the impact of her own studies on her daughter’s development, and how much this meant to her.
- Reframing: realize that each task you do, whether it is one you enjoy or not, is part of a bigger picture and larger goal. (Paula)
Study Strategies
” Make your won best answer. Look inward.” Zeke
- Try different things and find what works.
- Edith tried reading when the children were in bed, on the subway or in the morning.
” When I was 7 my mom told me about an “A” university student’s strategy and I used that and it helps me.” Anna
- Anna’s best strategy:
- Look over the week’s notes.
- Summarize them on index cards: one issue per card.
- Over the subsequent weeks look through the index cards from the previous weeks.
- Review them every week.
- Cards can be fun. Add colour, decorate them.
Support
These student parents used their Registrar’s Office, the Family Care Office, the Academic Success Centre, their college Writing Centre and on campus workshops and brown bag lunches as part of their support system.
“Get help. Even if you don’t need it. Go to workshops. It is reassuring.” – Zeke
“I feel like the university takes really good care of me.” Anna
“The writing centre eviscerates my papers and from the ashes they transcend.” Anna
- Form peer study groups. Edith and classmates share notes on Facebook. Anna found that some Equity classes offer childcare for student study groups.
Balance and Self-Care
All our interviewees emphasized the importance of making time for yourself and self-care.
“I envisioned that ‘me time’ had to be spa-like and involve bubbles – but it doesn’t !” Paula
- Paula discovered “me time” could be study time or quiet work or a personal project. But it needed to be made as important as groceries or school work. And it needed to be meaningful.
- Prioritize sleep. If you have young children, try going to bed when they do.
“I like yoga. But you have to find your own yoga.” Zeke
- Edith exercises at home on a bike before the kids are up.
- Alice takes turns babysitting with another family.
“Sunday – that’s my day off.” Edith
“Keep life enjoyable.” Zeke
How this project came about
I work with students and help them find ways to improve their learning experience, comfort (or joy!), skills and academic performance. We recommend strategies in the office and the student takes them off into real life to try them, adjust them, or discard them. One day Alice, a second degree student and mother of four, came to her appointment and reported that she had successfully implemented the study strategies we had worked out for her French course, had overcome her hesitation and started her essay for another course, and had followed through beautifully on her time management plan. Alice had utilized several strategies amidst a busy and demanding life. Beyond that, Alice had an amazing day to report: On a P.A. day she took her children to the dentist, returned home, did a shift at her job, collected books for her essay, took her daughter to a FCO Family Yoga Class, and, in the evening, went on a date! Not every day can be this action-packed but Alice was succeeding on so many levels. We often hear ” I don’t know how she does it.” I thought, this is how she does it! Students with family responsibilities are making it work, getting it right, and learning and growing – it was too good not to be shared. I wanted students to hear directly from other students how they do it, how they use, adjust and create learning strategies, to hear students’ own insights, wisdom and strategies on learning, school and life as student parents. Inspired by Alice’s story I approached my department director at the ASC, Tanya Lewis, and the director of the FCO, Kaye Francis, and a new partnered project was born. – Andrea Graham
* The names Paula and Anna have been used for students who contributed to this project but who did not want their actual names to be used or to be part of the video component.
- Paula has two preschoolers and is studying a second undergrad degree. She gratefully marvels at how exciting and interesting she is finding it.
- Anna has a young teen daughter and is in university for the first time, modelling engagement and study as her daughter grows alongside her.
Credits
Many thanks to Alice, Edith, Erik, Zeke, ‘Paula’ and ‘Anna’ for sharing your thinking, wisdom, good humour and insight.
Produced by: Andrea Graham, Learning Strategist, Academic Success Centre
In partnership with Magdalena Rydzy, Coordinator, Family Care Office
Video production: Tyler Blacquiere
Academic Success Centre Director: Tanya Lewis
Family Care Office Manager: Kaye Francis
Web Development: Santosh Hariharan