When I first saw the positive result on my pregnancy test, I realized that my carefree college lifestyle was about to change dramatically. My fourth semester was supposed to be filled with late-night study sessions and social gatherings, but instead, I was preparing for sleepless nights filled with a crying baby and diaper changes. Although I had researched the ins and outs of breastfeeding and developmental milestones, I was unprepared for the unique journey of motherhood during college.
1. People Will Judge You
You might think that arriving late to class after a night out was the worst of it, but then comes the judgment for being pregnant. When a conservative professor makes a snide comment in front of your classmates, it stings—yet, somehow, you grow a thicker skin. Motherhood means scrutiny at every turn, so brace yourself for those opinions.
2. You’ll Become a Germaphobe
With finals approaching, your primary concern becomes keeping your newborn healthy. Group projects at your apartment now involve strict hygiene protocols: you might ask your classmates to change clothes at the door, hand out sanitizer, and spray Lysol liberally. Every sneeze feels like a crisis.
3. You’ll Become an Expert in Breastfeeding
You’ll find yourself acquiring a wealth of knowledge about breastfeeding. When you hear someone in distress over academic troubles, the first thing you do is Google whether adult crying can trigger a lactation let-down. Who knew that becoming a mom would turn you into an information sponge?
4. Sleep? What’s That?
The concept of a full night’s sleep becomes a distant memory. You can’t miss what you’ve never really had, so you adapt to new sleep patterns that make you function on coffee and sheer willpower.
5. Your Child Will Be a Genius
With every spare moment dedicated to studying, you find creative ways to keep your baby engaged. Instead of singing traditional lullabies, you recite “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” or algebraic equations to the tune of Brahms. You justify it by hoping your little one will appreciate knowledge over nursery rhymes—after all, wouldn’t it be great if she could explain economic theories by the time she reaches school age?
6. You Don’t Fit Into Any Conventional Labels
You may read articles contrasting working and stay-at-home moms and struggle to find where you fit. Attending classes means time away from your child, but you’re not technically working. You end up identifying as a Not-Working-But-Not-Stay-at-Home-Mom-Who-Goes-to-School-to-Maybe-Be-a-Working-Mom. A mouthful, right?
7. You’ll Discover True Love
Before having a baby, you thought your love for friends or TV couples was profound, but once you experience the bond with your child, everything changes. This unconditional love is unlike anything you’ve felt before, reaffirming your commitment to your education and future.
Becoming a mom while in college has been both a significant challenge and an extraordinary adventure. My daughter’s early arrival has made life unexpectedly interesting, teaching me invaluable lessons that no classroom can offer.
For more on the journey of motherhood and home insemination, check out our other posts at Home Insemination Kit. If you’re looking for reliable information on artificial insemination, visit Make a Mom. For professional guidance, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, navigating college and motherhood simultaneously presents unique challenges and rewards that shape your life in ways you never imagined.