Student Parents Support
From OSU Wiki
Being a college student is hard enough, but just try and imagine what it is like to be a college student and a parent?! This is also known as being a student-parent. It can be a very daunting and challenging task, but it is actually doable. I think that the next time you are in class, take a look around you. Although you might not know it, there are probably quite a handful student-parents in the class with you, or you know of some student-parents, or you are one yourself!
Hello, my name is Shayna Overbaugh and I am a senior at the College of Business and a mother to a wonderful 3 month old baby boy named Liam. Now I find this to be an incredibly challenging combination, but it is also a great way to learn multi-tasking. When I gave birth to Liam in the July of 2006, I was also taking summer online classes. I learned how to study for my classes and nurse Liam at the same time, even simultaneously typing up papers and nursing.
My husband Bret is also a senior in the College of Business and he is not only a wonderful father, but he is also a great student. I feel that he, too, finds it can be hard to balance the troubles of being a student and a parent. He and I feel that there has to be a proper balance. We also make sure it is incredibly important to study for our classes, spend time with one another, and play with our son, on a daily basis.
I definitely have a few tips for student parents. The first one I think is very important: Let your professors know that you do have a child(ren). With them knowing this, professors are more willing to work with you and help you achieve your goals. Your professors are there for you and do want you to succeed! Moreover, if you have very young children, like under the age of one years old, then I suggest that you let them know if the baby is sick, colic-y, or even going through imporant events such as teething. These events can cause stress on you, and if you are honest with your professors, then they will understand the stress and help you out more, if you ask.
Another piece of advice is to get together with other student-parents and make friends with them. No one knows what it is like being a student-parent than another student-parent. It is wonderful to learn how other student-parents succeed, and to hear their stories, tips, lessons, and pieces of advice. Moreover, the children can play together and hopefuly, become friends and want to do play dates with one another.
Many student parents have trouble making ends meet. I know I am definitely part of this demographic. There are many things that you can do to get help in this department, but you have to be willing.
(1) WIC -- If you have a child/ren under the age of 5 years old, you may be able to qualify for the Oregon chapter of Women, Infants, and Children. This is a fantastic government program that is designated towards at-risk individuals and families. The program helps with nutrition education, promotion of breast feeding, and weight and health checks for both the child and for the mother. WIC is also big supporters of children becoming physically active. The closest WIC office is 530 NW 27th Street. Call them at 541-766-7186 for more information or visit http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic/
(2)Oregon Child Care Resource and Referral Network -- This website gives you referral information for finding appropriate child-care opportunities in the state of Oregon. See them at http://www.oregonchildcare.org/findcc/findcc.htm
(3) State of Oregon Child Care Subsidaries page -- this is another great resource in helping finding child care and even for finding help in funding child care. They even have a page for student-parents! If you want more information, visit their webpage at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/childcare/main.shtml
I really hope that this wiki webpage has been a tremendous resource for student-parents. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, or even just to say hi, feel free and email me at ovesa152@bus.orst.edu.
