How tough is it to go to college after you have a child?

Question

First let me start this off with "I am a male, not a female"
Ok, anyways, my girlfriend back home is having my child and the baby will be born next semester. This is my freshman year at college and I was wondering for all those that have done this already how difficult will it be to attend college (living on campus) while you have a child?

Answer 1

Either your studies or your relationship with your girlfriend is going to suffer. Not to mention you'll be missing out on your child's life while you aren't there. In the long run, it's better that you graduate, get a good job and support your girlfriend and child. Being able to make it through the short term and into the long term will be the trouble. You'll have to spend every spare moment you have with them, and make sure your girlfriend is receiving enough support. Motherhood is hard work and we need a break. Fatherhood is something you are supposed to actually experience, so try to be there as much as possible. It'll be weird and uncomfy for you to rock up and find your child treats you like a stranger, and to see your girlfriend interacting with the baby naturally while you feel kind of dumb because you aren't practised at baby care, and don't know that Junior likes avocado best/sleeps with his or her pointer finger in the mouth/needs two blankets at night but only one during the day, etc etc.
Having a baby does affect a guy's priorities in ways he won't expect. The same happens to the woman, but it happens earlier since she's actually carrying the child. For most guys, it doesn't really hit them until the last days of pregnancy, or even after the baby is born. You might find that you hate living on campus and just want to get home so you can cuddle your baby, or that you won't be able to concentrate properly on study while you know your girlfriend is home exhausted with a baby on her boob for what feels like 18 hours a day. You never know how it's going to be, so you're being sensible by asking :) Get all the info about fatherhood that you can!

Answer 2

Look around your campus. See those students in their 30s and 40s? Suppose they have kids? Think they maybe have a spouse and a job too? ☺

Yes, it can be done. It's done every day. What happens now is that you are no longer able to remain in "child mode" and must now become a real-live adult. That's not such a bad thing either.

Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done, every adult student who has a family who walks in commencement each year is absolute proof that it can be done. Easy? no. Too hard, nope.

Answer 3

very hard - because I will assume , you have to help provide
for the child, and in college, you need to spend 2 hours at homework for every hour in class

had friends that got married in their Junior year - never graduated - with no kids

you will be very tired for the next few years

and masters - the formula is 4xclass= library

Answer 4

Who cares how hard people say it is?! You can do anything you put your mind to! People telling you it's hard will only convince you that it's hard and then you'll be too hesitant to pursue it. Don't base your perspective on other people's opinions and experiences, everyone is different. Go for it and you will do great!!! :)

Answer 5

Hard but anything is possible. Just have a support system and be there for each other. It's all about teamwork and effort.

Answer 6

You can make it work if you want it to