Going back to school at any level is challenging for moms with young families at home. For most moms, putting in the extra work is worthwhile. Getting a degree helps significantly with career and earnings over time. Also, moms who go back to school are more fulfilled in their personal lives as a result of taking some time to explore their own skills.
Set a Schedule
Plan the times you will be studying, going to class, and spending time with your family. Make sure your partner and older children know what times you will need to be apart from them. It is helpful to post your family schedules all together. This will help everyone know what they can expect from you and manage any conflicts.
Manage Your Workload
It’s a great idea for anyone to break tasks down into manageable parts. It may seem overwhelming to look at a schedule and see “Write Term Paper,” but it’s less frightening to see “Research at Library,” “Take Notes,” and “Make Outline,” for example.
Managing Expectations
Accept that adjusting to your new life as a student will not always go as planned. This applies at home as well. You may have run your home to a certain standard before you went to school, but it may be hard to live up to that. Perhaps your partner or older children can cover some of the household chores you aren’t able to keep up with.
Back to School
Moms who are going back to school need to think about their career goals and decide what program would best meet their needs. Moms who are considering going into a profession such as medicine or law will need to be prepared to take exams before they can be admitted to postgraduate study. Preparing for the MCAT or Medical College Admission Test can be intimidating for anyone. Certain companies, such as Altius MCAT Prep, know that this is especially true for those who have been out of school for any period of time. Fortunately, there are programs and resources ready to help.
Ask for Help
Don’t feel like you have to take everything on yourself. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you have younger children and have family or friends nearby who can watch them while you study, take advantage of this. You could also hire a teenager to be a mother’s helper and keep the kids busy at home while you work.
Be Kind to Yourself
It’s very important to treat yourself with as much sympathy as you would a friend or family member. Take time for yourself and do activities you enjoy. When you’ve completed a big project, give yourself a reward, you deserve it.
Going back to school can be daunting, but moms can manage this life transition with the aid of careful planning and asking for help. Both you and your family will benefit from your education, and your children will be proud of you.
