Kids are the best and biggest part of our life. However, sometimes it happens that we have to neglect other important aspects in order to raise a family. In some cases, our education is put on hold. But in order to be able to work and support your family, you need to finish school. So, if you?re looking to go back to school after having a baby, here are some things you should keep in mind.
Being able to afford it
One of the biggest obstacles new moms face when deciding to go back to college is the state of their finances. The cost of higher education is no laughing matter and taking care of a family is already expensive. You have to take tuition and books into account, as well as transportation and child care costs.
That is why you have to do a lot of research when you decide to take this step. Did you know that plenty of colleges and universities offer individual guidance to students when it comes to dealing with finances? Speaking to an advisor can help you find out a lot about various scholarships, grants and loans. You can find many companies, organizations and government initiatives which help single teen moms who wish to pursue higher education.
Lack of time
Research shows that taking care of a children is equivalent of two-and-a-half full-time jobs. It is completely understandable that you do not want to leave your child to a nanny while they are really young. You want to spend as much time as you can with them.
If you find yourself in this situation, and you have a partner who can provide for the whole family, there are other options you can consider. Have you ever thought about online classes? They might be the best option for a mom who cannot leave the house for longer periods of time.
This type of education is popular all over the world and the courses offered are quite varied. For example, in Australia, you can find beauty therapy classes which are a combination of online tuition and actual work placement. While you will have to spend some time working in a salon, their experts will help you find the most suitable placement. In the US, for instance, you can find plenty of online accounting courses. Look for something that matches your goals and abilities as well as your schedule.
This approach can also help you greatly with your finances because you will not have to pay someone to take care of the child. You will also not have to pay for the gas or the bus.
Balancing your private work and your school obligations
Time management will be crucial if you want to balance motherhood, your career and your studies. If you haven?t been to school in a while, establishing effective study habits can be a bit hard. In order to be able to make every deadline, you will need some support from your partner, advisors and some peers and professors.
When it comes to developing your study habits, it might be good for you to ask a friend or classmate to study with you, at least in the beginning. You should also dedicate a special corner of your home to studying. Everyone should know not to disturb you while you?re there. In case you cannot study at home, go to a library or coffee shop. You should see which approach to learning suits you best. Are you a visual learner? Do you like writing everything down? Do you learn best by listening? Finding the right learning style should help you learn more efficiently.
Sometimes, it?s hard to stay motivated. In that case, it?s important to have your end goal in mind. Divide your tasks into smaller, achievable goals ? that way, you will be able to see your progress on a daily basis. Talk to your professors to see whether there are any ways for you to improve. Organize study sessions with your peers; this will help you learn and you will make new friends.
To better balance your obligations, use mobile apps and digital calendars, and spreadsheets and various notes to keep track of all your assignments and documents. Try to study while the kids are asleep as then the distractions will be minimal. Also, you can give them some activities that will keep them occupied. Furthermore, utilize the technology you have. You can study on your lunch break or the train. If you have audio notes, listen to them in the car.
While going back to school after you?ve had a kid can be tiresome, if you learn how to organize your time and do proper research beforehand, you should be able to reach your goals. Good luck!
Bethany Seton is a recent economy graduate. Before settling in an office, she decided to follow her passions for writing and traveling. Currently, she travels with her laptop and writes for various blogs, hoping one day she will gather all the experience she gets in one book.