For the past two years, Marie-Pierre Moreau and Charlotte Kerner have been conducting a study funded by the Nuffield Foundation as part if its Student Parents and Women’s Educational Programme. The aim of the study is to shed light on the experiences of student parents, and to focus on how the policies of universities have affected their lives as students. With the report soon to be published, Marie-Pierre has spoken to Student Parents to give us a sneak preview of her findings, with further details to be announced in the coming weeks. (more…)
All posts by studentparents
Coming Up! New Student Parent Report
Posted by studentparents on May 7, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/coming-up-new-student-parent-report/
League Tables – a help or hindrance?
Each year prospective students, academics, employers and university alumni alike all flock to view university league tables.
These tables and guides aim to provide a helpful insight into universities and how they are doing in comparison to one another. There are many versions including; The Times Good University Guide, The Guardian University Table, Hot Prospects and The Complete University Guide . Whilst they all aim to give an accurate portrayal of overall performance they often conflict with one another.
They are a constant bone of contention between universities and ranking rivalry is commonplace. This undoubtedly appeals to some primeval will to win but, is it really helpful?
The regular contradictions, the controversial criteria used and the mass of assumptions that are made when compiling these tables leads us to question, Do they really tell us anything and do they really help students make a sound, fair and reliable choice?
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Posted by studentparents on May 6, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/league-tables-a-help-or-hindrance/
Case Study- Katy and Emma Lodge: Studying sisters
Lily and Ollie Lodge, the son and daughter of Katy and Emma.
Katy and Emma Lodge are two sisters who both have experiences of being student parents. Both fell pregnant around the same time; Katy was studying in her second year at Plymouth University and Emma was in the army, but left to study her A levels. Both Katy and Emma spoke to Student Parents to discuss their experiences, the separate challenges they faced at different stages of education, and how they went through it together.
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Posted by studentparents on May 5, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/case-study-katy-and-emma-lodge-studying-sisters/
Olympic Baby Tickets – Have you got yours?
Olympic Babies and their tickets from Rebecca Tyers on Vimeo.
You might have your tickets for the Olympics, but have you got one for your baby? The Olympics Committee have now confirmed that everyone attending the games must have a ticket – including babes-in-arms.
We asked local parents in West Ham how they felt about this latest ticket scandal.
Reported by Katie Storry. Edited by Rebecca Tyres.
Posted by studentparents on May 4, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/olympic-babies-and-their-tickets/
Dealing with Exam Stress: Top Tips for Revision
It’s that dreaded time of year once again! Yes, exam season has officially arrived…don’t panic! There may be a 
screaming baby in the cot and a pile of revision a mountain high; but deep breathes, everything is manageable. You may feel overwhelmed at the moment, but with a few easy steps, you can get everything under control and achieve the grades you deserve (screaming baby or no screaming baby!) Here are some top revision tips to get you by.
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Posted by studentparents on May 3, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/dealing-with-exam-stress-top-tips-for-revision/
Guest Post: Your Questions put to Cheryl Wood
For parents currently studying at University; one of the greatest worries is the impact having a child early will have on their future career. Speaking to the Leeds University Student Parent Community at their Easter Party in March, many expressed a wish to hear from someone who had “been there, done that” who could share their experience of what life is like for a student parent after graduation. I asked you to send it your questions (thanks to those you got in touch) and have taken them to Cheryl Wood who was a student parents during the mid-80s. Here, she answers your questions and shares her experience of what it was like being a student parent and how it has affected her career path.
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Posted by studentparents on May 2, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/guest-post-cheryl-wood/
Tuition Fee Hike? On Your Bike!
It’s well documented that raising a child is the most expensive investment of your life: being a parent certainly doesn’t come cheap. But then again, neither does a degree. For those starting university in 2012, it’s never been a more expensive time to be a student. With tuition fees at most institutions set to rise from £3,400 to £9,000 a year; will the extra expense put off parents, many of whom already struggle to balance their budget?
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Posted by studentparents on April 30, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/tuition-fee-hike-on-your-bike/
Where do we fit in?
Student Parents looks into how students are classed by the government and university institutions, and how this affect student parents well being, and choices they make.
Do you find that there is never any support, advice or information out there that is specifically designed for you as a student parent at university? Do you always get classed as a postgraduate, or mature student? When you are looking to fund your studies whilst being a parent, do you find there is nothing that is really tailored to your needs?
While you may not realise it, student parents face these problems every day, and the reason for this mainly comes from the fact there has been very little research into what student parents need. (more…)
Posted by studentparents on April 28, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/where-do-we-fit-in/
Case Study Revisited: Greer Harris
Student parents revisited Greer Harris to see how she was getting on…
Posted by studentparents on April 27, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/case-study-revisited-greer-harris-2/
Bringing the Lecture to your Living Room
For some student parents, a full-time, on campus degree may not be an option. For those juggling bringing up a child and perhaps part-time employment to boot; studying from home seems an ideal solution. Many universities are now adopting online courses that enable students to adapt their studies around a timetable and lifestyle that suits them. So, Student Parents went to see what is available.
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Posted by studentparents on April 25, 2012
http://studentparents.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/bringing-the-lecture-to-your-living-room/
