If you are a full-time mom worried that going back to college is a bad decision, think again. These days, adults going back to college is hardly uncommon and there are many ways to make it work with a bit of grit and perseverance. Here are some tips on making sure you can get your degree and be a mom at the same time.
Look at All of Your Options
While going to traditional day classes on campus may be what you want to do, it doesn’t necessarily have to be your only option. With more and more people in different life situations wanting to go back to school, there are definitely more opportunities to take advantage of than there was even just a decade or two ago. Night classes are quite abundant if evening works better for you. As a full-time mom, however, you may get the most benefit from utilizing online classes. With this option, you can attend the class whenever you want, whether be during normal hours, at night, during the early morning hours, or patched together however you see fit.
How to Pay for It?
Paying for college is actually a lot easier than you may think. The first thing you always want to do is to apply for the free money. This will include grants and scholarships. Will you can do the research on your own, you can also ask the financial office at the college you are interested in. They will have information on which ones you qualify for. It must be said, though, to watch out for any company that tries to charge for scholarship information. These will be scams that generally lead nowhere. Any information you need will be available for free. After you have used the scholarship and grant opportunities, you may need to take out a private student loan. Private lenders are great for covering the gap in payment that scholarships do not cover. It is easy to find a low interest rate and since it is a private loan, you can use the money to pay for extra fees or living expenses, if need be.
Develop A Support System
Since you will be using any spare time you have to study and attend school, you will need help from a support system. See what family or friends may be able to help with helping the kids with homework or arranging playdates for those times when you need total silence. If you have a significant other, enlist their aid to help with the cooking and cleaning.
Make A Schedule
It is far easier to get things done when you have a set schedule. Block out periods of time to do homework, necessary chores, and even time to just step back and take a breath. While it will be fast-paced and challenging when you make the decision to go back to school, the rewards that you gain will make everything worth it in the end. Not only are you setting yourself up for a better life, but you are setting your children up for a better life as well.
