Tips to help you navigate college while pregnant.
College can be a very stressful time for most students; having to manage school work, relationships and family all at once can be difficult. Adding a pregnancy might not be the ideal thing to deal with while you’re a student, but it is possible. Having a plan and following it can help you successfully finish your semester while being pregnant.
Open Communication
Be open to communicate with your professors, administration and other peers about your pregnancy. Having the support and understanding from others can really help you do well in school.
Professors
Having an open communication with professors to let them know when you cannot meet deadlines or to set up a plan that works for both is essential to passing your classes. Most professors will take the time to work with you and appreciate when students take the initiative to work towards their future.
Adviser
Your adviser is your go-to person when you have any difficulties during the semester. Speaking with an adviser can help you figure out the best plan for you. If you feel overwhelmed with the number of classes you are taking, you adviser can assist you in dropping or swapping classes. They can also provide you with information on how taking those steps can affect your enrollment status and financial aid.
Administration
If you are experiencing discrimination while in college your school’s administration is the best resource on how to handle the situation. You have rights and should speak up about it. Title IX protects pregnant students that run into these issues. In other words, your school administration can ease the situation by speaking to professors or other classmates about it.
Peers
We all need a friend in class. For Instance, having the support from classmates can really be a great way to stay on top of your work. Be open to talk to your peers and exchange numbers with them. This is important for days when you are not feeling well and cannot attend a lecture. Classmates can help you by sharing notes or including you in study groups.
Self-Care
One of the most important things you should do while pregnant is taking care of your body and mind. Not every person is the same and self-care might look different to you, but these are some general tips on how to feel better all around.
Eat Healthy
Nutrition is key for a healthy pregnancy. You need to make sure you are fueling your body and the baby in order to handle those long hours of studying. First check in with your doctor what types of foods you should be eating and plan accordingly. Make sure to bring snacks with you to class and to keep yourself hydrated.
Exercise
Working out is a great stress reliever, it promotes aerobic and anaerobic benefits, and it can help promote brain health and memory. Check out free classes from your school gym. You can also take workout classes for credit; which is a great way to exercise while completing school requirements. As always check with your doctor what kind of physical activity you can do while you are pregnant before signing up for any classes. There are also multiple websites and YouTube videos that can help you find a workout that works for you.
Time management
The great thing about college is that for the most part you can get to pick your own schedule. Take advantage of that by making sure you create a schedule that works for your life style as an expecting mother.
Late Classes
Morning sickness is something most pregnant women experience. You might find helpful having the morning for yourself and take your time to go to classes. When you are scheduling for classes, try to pick ones that will give the freedom to recover from you morning sickness and will also give you time for self-care.
Other Options
Online classes can also be a good option for an expecting mother and most colleges offer some type of program that can accommodate you. Online classes give you the freedom to study on your own time. You also have the flexibility to go to a doctor’s appointment whenever you need to or work from the comfort of your own home. However, taking some time off from school can also be an option for expecting mothers. Every situation is different and maybe taking a semester off can be the best choice for you.
Believe that you can, and you will succeed. In the end, if you have open communication with your school, take care of yourself, and manage your time adequately you will be successful in both your pregnancy and college.
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