21 June 2006
Noah delivers degree success for Dundee mum
Six week old Noah Jones will be one of the youngest guests to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Dundee this summer when he sees his mum Kathryn graduate with an honours degree in psychology tomorrow (Thursday June 22).
The tiny tot came close to throwing Kathryn’s study plans into chaos when he arrived a few days early right in the middle of her final exams.
"He was due on the 11th of May and my last exam was on the 12th so I was hoping he was going to be late," explained the 21-year-old.
Noah, however, had other ideas and arrived on May 6th, weighing in at a bouncing 8lbs 12 ounces.
As a result Kathryn had to juggle studying with feeding and caring for her new son. Fortunately Noah proved a perfect study aid for the new mum as she prepared to sit an exam in child development.
"It was quite hard to concentrate but I had to keep going," she said. "I missed an exam two days after Noah was born so I had to sit my last one. Luckily it was developmental psychology so it was all very relevant to being a new mum."
"Noah was outside in the foyer with my husband just in case he needed fed but he managed to last out until the exam was over."
Kathryn admitted that she considered giving up her course in the early weeks of her pregnancy but support from lecturers and husband Paul encouraged her to carry on.
"I had really terrible morning sickness and by Christmas I was ready to pack it in but I did have a lot of support and I decided to keep going. I’m just so glad now that I’ve finished."
She added that she hopes to train as a primary school teacher at some point in the future but is planning to devote the next few years to looking after Noah.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Kathryn will graduate tomorrow morning (10am) at a ceremony in the Caird Hall in Dundee.
A photograph of Kathryn and Noah is available.
For media enquiries contact:
Hilary McNally
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: h.mcnally@dundee.ac.uk
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