Balancing caring and university

Balancing time to attend class, to study, and to socialise alongside caring responsibilities is difficult for student carers. All the participants in the research identified time as a challenge for student carers. A carer support worker reported that the ‘biggest barrier I would say is time’ whilst a university staff member reflected ‘they’ve got no time to even rest’ (Martin, 2020, p. 16).

Unexpected incidents involving the cared for person, such as a fall, are what make caring roles unpredictable. It is not always possible to plan around caring, as carers can be needed at any time. Leaving class early or being unable to attend at all, does not just disrupt learning but can impact students’ attendance records. While missing class is sometimes an unavoidable feature of student carers’ lives, it can cause them stress and anxiety. For some, unauthorised absences can cause them to lose money from their bursaries or threaten their place on the course.