As a parent, you must juggle many things in your life. However, it is all worth it in the end because of the joy that a child brings. There is nothing like it in the world. However, adding grad school into the mix does seem to complicate matters. You have your goal in front of you in terms of earning your advanced degree, but juggling that with your parental responsibilities can be difficult on the best of days. Here are three challenges to finishing grad school as a parent that you can overcome with the proper plan and perspective.
Developing an Adequate Support System
Going to grad school is easier when you have a complete network of family and friends there to help you. If you have not developed this support system, now is the time to do it. They will not only become your cheerleaders, urging you on to the finish line, but you will also find that they can become a tremendous help when it comes to your children. You support system may offer to watch them for a period of time when you are in the midst of writing an important paper or studying for your exams.
Finding a Degree Program That Is Flexible
More and more grad students today are also parents. Many colleges and universities offer flexible programs that take this into account. You will find options that limit the time you must spend in the classroom, offering more opportunities online. Consider looking into these as you strive to finish your advanced degree. It will make it easier to achieve that balance between work and life that we talked about earlier.
Gaining a Proper Work/Life Balance
We hear about this all the time. While you want to spend most of your time with your family, this is just not always possible. The key is to find a balance between work and life. In this case, grad school becomes work. You will want to find suitable child care options that work for you and your situation. While you are studying, you will have that peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is being properly looked after. There may also be options on campus that you might want to check into.
These are three challenges to finishing grad school when you are also a parent. You want to constantly think about the big picture and how rewarding this will all be once you have your degree conferred. The sense of personal and professional accomplishment will make it all worth it in the end.
