“For me, studying medicine and being a mother is part of a balanced, purposeful life”

After welcoming her second child in April this year, Student Doctor Clarisse Uwajeneza went on to pass her Year 2 assessments and fly into her third year of medical school. She shares her experience of the rigorous and rewarding balancing act of being a parent student and the importance of following your dreams.

I have wanted to be a doctor since I can remember, this was a very natural inclination and I never thought of pursuing any other profession, I just felt it in me.

I didn’t get the opportunity to study medicine straight away but, after becoming a mother, it was necessary that I fulfil this dream of mine because I imagined the lessons I would teach my children and one important lesson is to not give up on your dream and that if God put it in you then it’s yours and your responsibility to serve the world. So, I decided to apply and I got accepted and now here we are.

Navigating medicine alongside parenthood

It hasn’t been easy. My pregnancy and childbirth came with complications and being a mother of a toddler was already hard work. Pregnancy symptoms like fatigue and nausea sometimes clashed with lectures, clinical placements, and intense revision periods. And balancing the emotional weight of preparing for a baby with the academic demands of a medical degree could be exhausting.

But I somewhat felt prepared for these challenges, and I knew that no matter what I would finish second year! It required a lot of planning, asking for help and advice from family, friends and the School. It’s important to know that there are people you can speak with that have your best interest at heart and that can help you navigate academic and personal challenges.

My friends were amazing; they were incredibly supportive and caring. The Wellbeing Team were helpful with regular check-ins and advice and the Learning Teaching Support Officer (LTSO) team came to my rescue after giving birth with a strategic approach to study the last 2 blocks (Endocrine and MSK).

Despite the challenges, I am very proud of how I handled things, and my proudest moment was passing my exams first time round with a newborn.

I think the biggest misconception people have about student parents is that needing to take a year off is non-negotiable (not necessarily true), which goes hand in hand with the belief that balancing responsibilities will be impossible (also not the case).

For me taking a year off was not on the cards. There was episodic stress - meeting deadlines, exam prep, wondering how things will turn out - but nothing I couldn’t overcome with the exceptional time management and prioritisation skills I developed as a parent student. Also, my life experience gave me an edge in confidence to keep a positive perspective and remain resilient.

I must say that overall there was no negativity surrounding my journey. I discovered unexpected kindness — from classmates who shared notes to lecturers who showed flexibility. I think times have changed and people are open to new ways of living and accept individual journeys.

Planning is key to stay on track with your studies

I planned months ahead and tried to prepare for all possible outcomes. I also had to accept that my study time would likely come in short, focused bursts. I would study for around 20 minutes while the baby napped. I used my phone a lot during this time because I could study while holding or breastfeeding the baby. Also make sure you have a support system. An hour of childcare can mean the difference between an all-nighter and a restful night with a productive morning.

I have learned that balance is not about giving equal time to each area of my life.

So, there are weeks when studying takes priority and weeks when family is a priority. I try to aim for overall joy and fulfilment in each area of my life. Self-discipline is also important which leads to accepting the trade-offs, something’s got to give and that for me is saying no to things like watching TV and yes for extra time to keep up with core medical school commitments. Being present where I am, and knowing that over time, both my education and my family life get the attention they need.

It’s important to understand that time waits for no one and just because you are in med school it does not mean you cannot pursue other areas of life that make you happy. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one aspect for the other, if you want both you can have them, you just have to put in the work required. For me, studying medicine and being a mother is part of a balanced, purposeful life.

Congratulations on all fronts to you Clarisse! If you are interested in pursuing Medicine at Liverpool as a mature student, take a look at our fantastic A100 and A101 (Graduate Entry) programmes.