Help with buying a laptop(single parent)

bestpud

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

I really doubt that a university says that you should have a laptop - I did a computer science degree and they said that you did not need your own computer. Obviously there are benefits to having something of your own but if money is that tight then maybe it's money that could be spent elsewhere?

It may not be essential for Gemma to have a laptop, but it will make it a lot easier to study. Don't forget that uni computers are most busy in daytime and it can be a nightmare trying to get one at assignment times!

It is difficult studying when you have young children anyway, not least because they get ill sometimes and travelling into uni at all can be impossible, even for lectures. My youngest was just under five and at school when I started uni (plus I have a partner) and I would not want to be without a computer at home! I can't imagine how I'd have managed.

Gemma - Definitely try your uni as they may well have links to local companies who sell refurbished laptops. The library at my uni have said about a company like this - they get old computers and rebuild them to the spec you want. If you have no success with one uni department, try another one and be persistent - there is sure to be someone who can help or point you in the direction of someone who can!

Well done on finding the charity, I hope they come through for you.

Good luck with your course too.

Gemma7_2

Blacksheep please dont incinuate that i am a lying, i was advised by the ICT lecturer that they advise students to have a laptop if possible as then they are not confined to the library and having to wait for a free comp.
I am waiting to hear back from the charity but i will def be asking the uni about reconditioned laptops etc. I feel that the money will be worth spending as it will save me hundreds in extra childcare (if i dont have one i will have to spend a lot longer at uni everyday) and also means i get to be with my children more which to me is priceless!

Bestpud thanks for your advice also! I know what you mean about poorly kids my two were born three months prem so get poorly a lot meaning i have to have a lot of time off college while they recooperate.

Gemma

Blacksheep1979

I'm not insinuating you're lying I'm saying that they're talking rubbish if they said you should have a laptop.

elisebutt65

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

I'm not insinuating you're lying I'm saying that they're talking rubbish if they said you should have a laptop.

I wouldn't think so - Personally I think a laptop is an absolute necessity for any lone parent entering HE.

The numbers of days I would just have one lecture - if I'd stayed in uni for that entire day I would have paid a fortune in childcare!!! If you take the train instead of driving, then you can work whilst you're travelling as well:D.

duchy

Speaking as a recent mature student who had to juggle childcare with uni will you please lay OFF the OP.
Laptops are not just indulgent gadgets when universities have more students wanting access to computers than computers available. I attended two different universities and it was a problem at both. Bad enough for "traditional students when it can eat into SU drinking time but far harder on students like the OP to whom time is actually money in the form of childcare costs.
Certain courses-like teaching degrees also require students to attend schools for teaching practice-again a laptop becomes more of an essential on these courses than a fully university based course.
Trying to study whilst caring for children is hard work and kudos to the OP for working to make a better life for herself and her children. I really hope you get something sorted out and wish you good luck with your course.

Gemma7_2

Thanks for your support duchy and elsie i really appreciate it. I am doing a teaching degree so as you say duchy i will be on placement for around 1/3 of the course in total and would have to drive to uni to use the computers and it is quite a trek. Thanks again and i will be sure to let you know what happens when the charity get back to me.

Gemma

Blacksheep1979

So how did people magically manage before laptops? I'm sorry but this is complete bull that you need a laptop. Do your work on paper and then once you are down to the final draft spend the 2hrs or so typing up your essay etc. And yes I do know what I am on about I was a mature student (graduated last year), doing a computer science degree which had weekly programing assignments and I managed fine (whilst commuting) for over a year without a laptop. I'm sorry but like alot of people on here you are focusing on the problem rather than the solution.

Gemma7_2

again i will reiterate i did not say i NEED a laptop i said it would be a lot easier for me please if you dont have anything helpful to say stop replying to this thread i have taken everyones advice and am in the process of deciding what to do.
Feel free to decide what is best for my personal situation when you have been a single parent to two year old twins with health problems hence spending a lot of time back and forth to hospital. I have very little support and all i am doing is trying to make a better life for us whilst also trying to be here for my boys at the same time.
I am really greatful to everyones advice and i think it is a great shame that you feel you have to tell people what is best for them. I simply asked for advice not to be told what to do!

elisebutt65

Gemma7 wrote: »

Thanks for your support duchy and elsie i really appreciate it. I am doing a teaching degree so as you say duchy i will be on placement for around 1/3 of the course in total and would have to drive to uni to use the computers and it is quite a trek. Thanks again and i will be sure to let you know what happens when the charity get back to me.

Gemma

Oooh - SNAP!!!! I'm doing my PGCE at the mo! In Post Cmpulsory though and I'm on placement at an FE college!

And Blacksheep - however did people manage before the printing press??? Just because people managed before doesn't mean we have to revert. If you read the posts properly you'd realise that being a single parent brings a whole realm of other problems into play.

I can't work on paper - never have and never will - I do all my research sat at my desk with my pc or on the kitchen table with the laptop and carry on whilst I'm on placement on my lappy, or on the train. But then I have a problem with handwriting as I'm dyspraxic so in my case it IS a need!

bestpud

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

So how did people magically manage before laptops? I'm sorry but this is complete bull that you need a laptop. Do your work on paper and then once you are down to the final draft spend the 2hrs or so typing up your essay etc. And yes I do know what I am on about I was a mature student (graduated last year), doing a computer science degree which had weekly programing assignments and I managed fine (whilst commuting) for over a year without a laptop. I'm sorry but like alot of people on here you are focusing on the problem rather than the solution.

So, did you have a laptop and then it broke? Or did you not get one until the second year? You had one for over half your course so that is hardly a good advert for managing with uni facilities is it?

Further, as you managed so well, and assuming you had two young (and frequently ill) children to care for alone, how about you offer some constructive advice to Gemma instead of slating her for admitting she will find it difficult to manage without a laptop?