Ever since I became aware of the world around me, I watched both my parents leave the house at 8 a.m., returning only in the evening after long, tiring workdays. Despite their exhaustion, they always made time for us, juggling their parental duties and household chores with their professional commitments. Looking back, I never considered whether they had time for themselves or even for each other. As children, we often take for granted the immense responsibility that parents shoulder. Today, as a college student, still living without such obligations, I realise how little we think about the challenges parents face to provide the best for their children. Now imagine being a college student and a parent at the same time. For many, this is a reality—one that is often overlooked.
Being a student parent or carer is a delicate balancing act between academic responsibilities and caregiving duties. These students are pursuing a better future not just for themselves but for their children or dependents. Yet, they are often met with institutional barriers, financial challenges, and a lack of understanding from peers and faculty.
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet several student parents and carers, and I was deeply inspired by how they manage the enormous weight of their responsibilities. Their stories shed light on the challenges they face, and the resilience they demonstrate is nothing short of remarkable. Despite the uphill battle, they maintain their focus on providing a better future for their children while pursuing their own dreams of higher education. This community of student parents and carers exemplifies strength and determination.
In recent years, colleges and universities have started to recognise the unique struggles faced by student parents and carers. Cristina, an undergraduate support officer at the Senior Tutor’s Office, is one of the driving forces behind this change. “Trinity has recently reviewed its policy for student parents,” Cristina explained. “We’ve extended our policy to include carers, and we’ve implemented student parent support groups. It’s not just about the policies in place; it’s about making sure that students know what’s available and feel supported.”
Despite the introduction of policies that offer reasonable accommodations—such as bursaries from higher education authorities and financial aid—many students are unaware of these resources. Trinity is working tirelessly to ensure that both students and professors are familiar with the new policies.
Katelyn, the Student Union’s student parent support officer, has also played a significant role in providing aid to this community. The college has introduced a grant of up to €200 each semester to cover childcare costs during the primary school midterm break. Additionally, coffee mornings held every two weeks give student parents and carers the opportunity to connect. A breastfeeding group on campus further enhances the network of support available to student parents.
Despite these positive developments, the reality of being both a student and a parent remains challenging. Aisling, a clinical speech therapy student and mother to four-year-old Noah, shared her struggles with me. After working in childcare for years, Aisling returned to college in the hope of creating a better future for herself and her son. But the path has not been easy. “I wish the lectures didn’t run so late, and that there weren’t so many gaps in the schedule,” she admitted. Her comments highlight a common problem—class schedules often conflict with caregiving responsibilities, making it difficult for student parents to balance their academic and personal lives.
Aisling, like many other student parents, receives financial assistance through the CC grant, the 1916 bursary, and other student grants. However, navigating the financial aid process while managing coursework and caring for her son is still overwhelming. “Applying for grants, keeping up with coursework, and making sure Noah is taken care of—it’s a lot to handle,” she said.
Debora, another student parent I spoke with, is pursuing a degree in psychology while raising her 12-year-old daughter. Her situation is even more precarious—she is on the verge of homelessness due to the lack of suitable accommodation for student parents. “People with children can’t live in campus accommodation, and the city council doesn’t know where to send me next—maybe a hotel or a bed and breakfast,” Debora explained, her voice tinged with frustration. Debora waited until her daughter was older before returning to college to avoid paying for infant care. However, the pressure of balancing her academic workload with the challenges of unstable housing and childcare is immense. “It was my dream to study and be financially independent,” she said, “but the reality has been so much harder than I thought.”
Although some departments are more accommodating than others, there’s still a long way to go in making higher education more accessible for student parents. One major issue is the lack of flexibility in lecture times, as well as the reluctance of some professors to record lectures—something that became more common during the pandemic. Cristina is a strong advocate for change in this area. “Lecturers should allow people to access recorded lectures, especially for parents and carers who need that flexibility,” she said.
Additionally, the college nursery only accepts children under the age of four, which leaves many parents, like Debora, struggling to find childcare options for older children. While the nursery and other childcare services, such as sports camps and creches, exist, they are often expensive and inaccessible for some. The student assistance fund helps cover some of these costs, but it’s not enough for everyone. Recognising this gap, the Student Union is working on new initiatives, including partnering with counselling services to provide better mental health support for student parents who are under significant pressure.
Efforts to build a supportive community for student parents and carers have been met with some success. Events like the Provost’s Parent’s Day lunch and the bi-weekly coffee mornings give student parents a chance to connect with one another. But the turnout for these events is often inconsistent due to the busy schedules that many student parents face.
The need for community is clear. Many student parents feel isolated, navigating their academic responsibilities and caregiving roles without much external support. “For the moment, the policy is very comprehensive, but we need to make sure everyone is familiar with it,” Cristina said. This sentiment is echoed by Aisling, who believes that more could be done to help student parents connect and share their experiences. “We need more events, but it’s difficult because turnout is always low.”
Being a student parent or carer is an immense challenge, but with a stronger support system, increased flexibility in academic schedules, and a united community, these students can achieve their goals without having to sacrifice their caregiving responsibilities. The strength and determination of the student parents and carers I met is nothing short of inspiring. They are not just pursuing a better life for themselves—they are doing it for their children and dependents.
As a community, we must do more to support them. Whether it’s through increasing awareness of the resources available, advocating for more flexible policies, or simply offering understanding and encouragement, we all have a role to play. By coming together, we can ensure that these students have the opportunity to succeed in both their academic and personal lives.
