Michelle Martin often finds herself pulled in two different directions.

Like many other University students, she faces the difficult task of balancing her studies and her life as a parent.

"We are all in this together," Martin said, watching her 8-year old son, Christopher, help his 6-year-old sister, Alissa, clean the bedroom.

Martin, age 27, is an undergraduate sophomore studying human development and family studies.

"The whole family has to re-establish their priorities," she said. "Material things aren't that important."

Although many students with children opt for daycare, those services pose certain problems. Long waiting lists, few centers and high fees make daycare a less viable option.

Cedar Day Care and Discovery, sponsored by the Child Development Council, are two centers the University offers to students.

A University task force has issued recommendations that would make daycare at the University more available, more professional and less expensive.

But until then, many students must find their own answers. As with daycare, students with children must handle other problems on their own.

Like Martin, Marianna and Andrew Beigel both find themselves running to classes as well as cleaning up toys.

The Beigels spend most of their time taking graduate courses and maintaining their roles as parents of two children, ages five years and 23 months. Only when time has been spent with the children and they are put in bed can the Beigels consider their day complete.

Twenty-three-month old Peter rides his small tricycle,, bumping into furniture while his five-year-old sister, Ginny, sits in a rocking chair eating a candy cane. Scotchy the dog looks out from the kitchen. Ginny has just recovered from the chicken pox and Peter now waits to be sick.

"A person must be dedicated to a marriage, children and education," said Marianna of her hectic lifestyle.

"You have to create your own priorities," Andrew said. "This type of lifestyle could be detrimental to a marriage if you are not dedicated."

The Beigels' day begins between 6 and 6:30 in the morning. Before beginning their day as as students, they first must tend to her duties as parents.

"I wait with Ginny everyday at the bus stop and then I take Peter to the babysitter," Marianna said.

Marianna spends her mornings working at Cedar Day Care and her afternoons taking classes toward her degree in early childhood education. Andrew teaches education at the University as well as working on his dissertation in reading education.

Afterward, the Beigels always find time for their children.

"Late afternoons are family time," Marianna said. "I am here when Ginny comes home from school."

Overflowing bookshelves line one entire wall of the Beigel's apartment.

"TV is not as important here," she said. "We spend much time reading books."

Peter pushes a small truck across the floor.

"We also build Legos and play with construction trucks," she adds.

The Beigels' work does not end on Friday.

"Weekends are for cleaning and studying," Marianna said. "My husband does the heavy housework."

"Ginny also has gymnastics on Saturday mornings," she added.

Andrew laughs when asked if he would do everything all over again given the chance.

"I would want the degree, but maybe not this way," he said.

"I always want to be involved in learning, but it is a hassle right now," Marianna said. "I have often wanted to quit. But it is just a matter that you want to get it done."

Martin agrees dedication is essential to maintaining her dual lifestyle.

Martin worked in the "real" world before deciding to continue her education at Penn State.

"There is too much to lose if I would quit and go back to manual work," she continued. "Now that I know what I can have, I am not willing to give it up for anything."

"Intelligence and education weren't valued in my family," she said. "I started growing and realized I wasn't living to my potential."

Time for herself is difficult to find.

"I am alone between 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day," she said. "This is the time I am not in classes and I am not being a parent."

"I plan to make more time for myself," Martin said. "It is just as important as studying or being with the kids."

Kathy Harris finds time for herself by traveling to Erie every weekend to visit her boyfriend, five cats and one dog.

Monday through Friday, the 44-year-old Harris lives with her 15-year-old daughter and another roommate. She is a senior majoring in East Asian Studies and works eight hours per week cleaning houses.

"I live two different lives," she said.

At the age of 18, Harris attended Mercyhurst College for one year. After giving up on college, she eventually worked at General Electric where she stayed for 10 years.

"I was really bored," she said. "I felt I was being wasted and belonged in a more intellectual atmosphere."

"I like the way I live except for the financial pressures," Harris said. "I get upset that there is no housing for students with children and not many finances for poor students."

Deb Cox (junior-individual and family studies) travels from Lewistown to Penn State everyday. Eight hours of her week are also spent as a home health aid.

Despite her studies and work, the 38-year-old Cox must also attend school conferences and doctor appointments for her 15-year-old daughter, Amy, and her 13-year-old son, Aaron.

"It is very frustrating because I feel like I get behind," she said.

Along with studying about four hours per day, Cox also does laundry, helps the children with their homework, and provides a taxi service for the neighborhood children.

"I couldn't go at it half-heartedly," she said. "I feel responsible to so many people."