Not sure where uni and study is going to fit into your already busy family routine. Support, advice, comfort and encouragement is at your fingertips, so click on and help your family smoothly adjust to your uni life.

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The golden rule
When 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.

6. “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

7. “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

8. Who to talk to
• Share your study schedule or timetable with those it’s likely to impact, such as
your family and work colleagues.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Setting the pace
One 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.

14. “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

15. “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

16. How to find your rhythm
• Start out slowly with one or two courses, then build your workload as
your confidence and experience grows.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. The logistics of study
It’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.

21. 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.

22. “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

23. “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

24. “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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Finding family time
Many 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.

29. “While we don’t have much family time
during the semester, when school holidays
are on we really enjoy it.”
Andre

30. “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

31. “You do feel guilty, but then you go
‘hang on, I’m doing this so that we can
all have a better life’.”
Roslyn

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. Seeking and accepting support
As 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!

37. 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.

38. “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

39. “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

40. 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.

41. 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.

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. Keeping up your confidence
Last 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.

46. 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.

47. “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

48. “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

49. 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.

50. 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!

51. 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.

52. 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!

53. 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.

54. 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.

55. 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