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19 March 2024

How to survive being mom and college student in UAE

Hareem Club in Abu Dhabi empowers and encourages married students and future mothers, who share common concerns and are extremely challenged to balance between their studies and their married life. (Supplied)

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By Staff

Did you ever skip a class to stay with your child who is sick? Did you have lots of papers and assignments hanging over your head?

As a mom and a student, it seems like you always have something to do and somewhere to be.

A group of ZU students, wives and mothers established the Hareem Club at Abu Dhabi campus in efforts to empower and encourage married students and future mothers, who share common concerns and are extremely challenged to balance between their studies and their married life.

“Being a student and a mother at the same time is a double-edged sword. However, many married students and mothers of children have proven that there is nothing unreachable and they had a great strength and determination to continue their studies,” Ameera, a mother of three children, student and president of Hareem Club at ZU, said.

“Most of Hareem Club members are excellent in their academic performance with a GPA 3.4 and above in addition to their active social participation in several events and activities held at ZU,” she emphasised.

“It is important to know your priorities. Being a students, wife and a mother wasn’t an easy job for me. It was impossible to give 100 per cent to each of my responsibilities all of the time. Not a single day went by without challenges,” Ameera, who majors in psychology and social services at ZU, added.

The Hareem-means women-club was established in Fall 2014 and participated in several events and activities held at ZU such as, the International Day, Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day.

Over 80 members are now registered at Hareem Club and act as active members.

“We have left a remarkable impression, even though our contributions were modest compared to other clubs; however, the theme of our club was unique, unprecedented, and left an influential impact on the university community,” she said.

“The idea of Hareem Club came to my mind during my first semester at ZU. I was a full-time student and pregnant at the same time. I suffered from morning sickness during my early pregnancy.

“For a student facing pregnancy, the physical, emotional, and spiritual issues can seem overwhelming.

“Therefore, I needed an enormous amount of support from my university, instructors as well as my fellow students. I decided to launch Hareem Club to provide married, and pregnant students with caring, non-judgmental, professional assistance and support,” Ameera, who is married for around ten years, added.

“ZU as well as faulty members did countless efforts to support our idea. Imani Fredricks-Lowman, Chair of the University College, encouraged our idea and provided great assistance,” she added.

Hareem Club conducts several workshops and lectures on time-management, child development, multi-tasking and empowerment and potentials discovery.

One of the tips that Ameera has offered students and mothers, is to be honest and transparent in their relationship with their professors.

“Send an email to your professor when you have to skip your class stating your reasons in a very clear way.

“Ask for extensions, if your felt behind on readings and assignments,” Ameera, a mother for two boys and one girl, advised.

“Keep your eyes on the prize” was another tip offered by Muna Saeed, Vice President of Hareem Club.

“Believe in yourself and be proud of your accomplishments. It is a big deal for a mother to go to university. You should be proud of your efforts because it is a hard and tough job.

“The time will pass if you push yourself or not, and in the long run you will be much happier to look back on that time and know that you have done all you can do,” Muna, a mother and student, said.