I was into my second year at University studying a degree in History when I fell pregnant with my son. My partner and I were being careful so being pregnant at just 19 was quite a shock for me. Luckily, my partner had a good job, and we were able to get our own place, and his salary allowed for me to be a stay-at-home mum to our son whilst he went and earned the bread. I knew however, that I didn't want a baby to mean the end of my education, and of my dreams of becoming a Primary School Teacher, something I have wanted to do for a long time. So, just after my son turned one, I began looking into different options for studying.

For me, the easiest option was to study with The Open University. This is a University which revolves around adults studying from home to complete a degree, diploma or other qualification they are aiming to get. People who study through the Open University do so for a number of reasons. Some do it because like me, they have young children at home and going to University the standard way isn't an option. Some are working full time, and others just want to learn for their own personal growth and interests. I spent hours online, looking at different courses and things, to see what I wanted to study and to make sure I was making the right decision.

In the end, I changed my mind from studying History and I decided to go into English Literature and Language. My only worry was the amount of reading that was going to be involved but I was sure that I would be able to copy. A few weeks before the official start of my first module, English Language, a box arrived for me which was filled with DVD's, 4 heavy text books and various papers which I needed for the course. I sat and read through and felt a bit nervous about what I had taken on but at the same time, I was so looking forward to getting back into learning again.

The time quickly came for me to start my reading, and become a student once more, only this time with a 2 year old in tow! I quickly struggled with the workload, and trying to balance my studies with looking after the house and my child. I realised I couldn't carry on as I was and sat down one evening with my partner. I told him how important my studies were to me, and that I needed help from him if I was to do my best on the course. We decided he'd go to his parents with Harry a few nights a week, just for a couple of hours so the house would be quiet and I could do my reading. Just these few hours a week made so much

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