UCL

Day in the Life of a UCL Master’s Student and Mother

The video follows Alua, a mother of a baby and a postgraduate student at UCL’s Institute of Education, as she navigates a typical Monday that coincides with her birthday. She juggles two classes, a team meeting, household chores, and a small birthday‑related outing, illustrating the complex choreography required to balance academic rigor with family responsibilities. Key insights emerge around flexibility and resourcefulness: UCL staff rearranged her evening module to a morning slot, allowing her to care for her infant during class hours. She leverages free birthday treats from local cafés, uses a children’s library‑café as a hybrid work‑study space, and even sells a camera on Vinted to fund small expenses. These tactics highlight how supportive policies and clever budgeting can make graduate study viable for parents. Notable moments include a professor’s willingness to adjust the timetable after Alua explained her baby’s needs, the discovery of a child‑friendly co‑working zone near King’s Cross, and her candid reflection that progress often means studying during nap times. She also shares a personal vlog segment of editing a family trip video, underscoring how personal life and academic work intertwine. The broader implication is clear: universities that offer flexible scheduling and empathetic support can retain talented parent‑students, while affordable community spaces enable them to maintain productivity. Alua’s story serves as both a roadmap and a morale boost for prospective graduate students juggling caregiving duties.