Tips for Working Mothers Returning to College
You just never seem to have any spare time to do all the things that need to get done. Everything is a priority. You don’t know where the time does. Now, you are also thinking of going back to school!
Finances are an issue now adding a tuition check to each month’s budget does not seem like an option. What do you do? The US Census Bureau reports that about 20% of American families are single-parent households, and in most case the breadwinner is a mother. In addition 95% of the single parents make less than $75,000 a year in income. So, for many going back to school without some form of financial aid is not an option.
According to a United States Department of Labor report, in addition to working full time, the average mom spends another ten hours a day running house hold activities, taking care of family members, cleaning, cooking, washing, buying groceries, playing with the children, running car pools and many other tasks and responsibilities.
There is good news for working parents! There are many programs available to both working moms and dads to support their financial efforts in returning to school. Accredited distance learning universities offer flexible learning options for working parents. Financial resources are also available specifically for this group of parents. There are many government and private programs that have funds for working mothers and single parents.
The first step is to determine what you to study. Next find out what financial options the school has. You can get this information from the colleges financial aid office. A thorough Internet search can also yield some results. Also, visit the library and look at the annual listings of scholarships and grants available. One key point to remember is to make a note of the application deadlines, required information you need to submit and the specifics of each individual scholarship. For example some scholarships might be just for those who are studying in a certain area such as business or education or nursing.
The next step is time management. Given all the things on your plate, adding school to the list can be overwhelming. Create a routine and try and stick to it. For instance, ensure that the kids are in bed by a certain time so that you can study without interruptions. Make lunches the evening before rather than trying to rush in the morning. Also, delegate tasks to the family members so that you do not have to do it all alone. This will create less stress and allow you to be able to concentrate better in your studies. Keep a planner or calendar so that you always have an idea of activities that are coming up to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.
When it comes to doing well in school, apply a few strategies to help you succeed. At the beginning of the school term, determine what is expected from each of your classes and what the instructor needs from you during the semester. Next, read the syllabus in depth, noting deadlines, milestones, and assignment and exam dates. Add these to your planner and begin working on them ahead of time.
Do not wait for the end of the semester or the night before an assignment is due to start working on an assignment. Create self-deadlines and milestones and work incrementally on projects and papers. Also ensure that you prioritize your school, work, and home activities noting which ones must be attended to first. Pace yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help. In addition, be self-confident – tell yourself you can do it, because you can!
