Project Manager, Student, Mum: My journey back to university

Written by Michelle McLean

My name is Michelle, I'm a part-time project manager, full-time student and all-the-time mum.

My journey to university

The area that I grew up in was (and still is) in the 20% most deprived boroughs in England. No one I knew had gone to university so when I finished college, I started full-time employment.

I didn’t do an undergraduate degree until I was in my early thirties. I was at the tail end of maternity leave with my second child and felt like I'd lost my identity. I went from being Michelle to being someone’s mum and along the way I'd stopped pursuing my interests. I’d always enjoyed writing stories and wanted to study creative writing, but there was never a right time. I thought if not now, when and decided to go for it. I think the catalyst was being a mum to daughters and wanting to be a role model for them.

Balancing study, work, and family life

I studied part-time through a distance learning university and my project management skills came in handy when I needed to plan my studies, meet essay deadlines and keep the family schedule running smoothly. I carried a textbook everywhere so that I could snatch study time. My children’s swim lessons, commuting to work and waiting in queues all provided a chance to read and make notes.

During this time, I became self-employed so that I'd have more flexibility to work around my children and studies. My husband is a hands-on dad, but his work isn’t very flexible. Plus, we live in a gendered world where, if one of our children is ill, the school calls me even when his name is first on the emergency contact list. 

Doing my Masters

After graduating with First Class Honours, I joined the MA in Creative Writing at UoB. I knew that studying on campus would be a challenge but couldn’t miss the opportunity to study in a department packed with award winning and bestselling authors and poets. I studied part-time over two years which made things more manageable and often studied after my children had gone to bed. This limited my leisure time, but I was working on something important to me, so it didn't feel like a sacrifice. I also had support from my husband, family and friends.

My children watched me graduate with distinction, in the Aston Webb Great Hall in 2023. It was a highlight that motivated me not to stop there. I have fifteen years' experience of volunteering in the Criminal Justice System and felt that I could combine this with my creative writing skills, to do work that is impactful.

Looking ahead

I was thrilled to be awarded an ESRC studentship in 2024 to undertake postgraduate research in the School of Social Policy and Society. I will be using creative writing to interrogate and represent the experiences of parents whose children are in trouble with the law. I feel that this is what I was always meant to do and that the professional and personal experiences I developed before becoming a student give me a unique perspective.

The studentship has enabled me to reduce my paid work and study full time now. After so many years of part-time study, it feels strange to do the school run, then go to campus for the whole day.

My children understand that Mum has ‘homework’ like they do. I share what I'm learning with them, discuss my disappointments and achievements and I’m honest about when I'm tired or overwhelmed. Life is busy for all of us, so we really value our family time. Card games, movie nights and beach holidays are our favourite things to do together. If you haven’t played ‘Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza’ yet, you’re really missing out!

Speaking to other parents

I encourage parents considering studying to take the leap. It’s challenging. You’ll be tired. And sometimes, your children will have to eat a beige dinner from the freezer because you’ve ran out of time to cook from scratch. But it’s incredibly rewarding. You are showing your children not just what you are capable of, but what they could be capable of too.

If you’d like to share your story as part of Parents and Carers Week, please contact studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.