When I discovered I was pregnant, my suspicions were confirmed, and I realized that the bottle of cheap wine I enjoyed just weeks earlier was not my greatest ally. In the midst of my fourth semester, the carefree college lifestyle filled with parties and late-night escapades was about to transform into sleepless nights with a newborn and an endless supply of diapers. While I had some knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding and early child development, I was completely unprepared for the realities of being a college mom.
1. Prepare for Judgment
You might have already experienced the occasional sideways glance for arriving late to class smelling like a bar. However, facing criticism from a conservative professor about your pregnancy can sting a bit more. This is just the beginning, as becoming a mom means everyone will scrutinize your choices. Thick skin is essential.
2. Germ Anxiety Takes Over
With finals approaching, the last thing you want is for your little one to catch a cold. You’ll find yourself taking extreme measures during group study sessions—insisting that friends leave their shoes at the door, providing hand sanitizer, and misting everything with disinfectant to keep germs at bay.
3. Breastfeeding Becomes Your Obsession
You’ll become an expert on all things breastfeeding. As you walk through campus, if you hear someone sobbing about a failed exam, your first instinct will be to Google whether adult tears can trigger lactation. Spoiler: they can, and you might find yourself leaking in class!
4. Goodbye to Sleep
You’ll hit a point where you can’t even remember the last time you enjoyed a full night’s sleep. But hey, you can’t miss what you’ve never truly had, right?
5. Your Baby Will Be a Genius
You’ll try to squeeze in study time whenever possible. Instead of reciting nursery rhymes, you’ll find yourself lulling your baby to sleep with lessons on economics or advanced math concepts. You hope your little one will appreciate this unconventional approach in the future—maybe she’ll even be able to explain the fiscal ceiling to you come election time!
6. You Don’t Fit Into Any Category
You’ll read articles that categorize moms as either working or stay-at-home. However, as a college student, you’re away from your baby for classes but also spend plenty of time at home. You may find yourself redefining your identity as a Not-Working-But-Not-Stay-at-Home-Mom-Who-Goes-to-School-to-Maybe-Be-a-Working-Mom. That works for you!
7. Discovering True Love
You might have thought your love for friends or TV characters was intense, but the bond you form with your baby is on a whole different level. This love is unconditional and profound, reminding you of the purpose behind your college journey and the importance of striving for a better future for your family.
Navigating motherhood while in college has been both my greatest challenge and most rewarding adventure. Although it was not in my initial plans to have my daughter at this stage, it has enriched my life in ways I never anticipated. I’ve learned countless invaluable lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.
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Summary: Becoming a mom while in college brings unique challenges and experiences. From facing judgment to managing sleep deprivation and redefining your identity, the journey is transformative. Embracing this new chapter can lead to profound lessons in love and resilience.