Parenting is a demanding undertaking, as is furthering your education. A combination of the two can prove an insurmountable challenge for most, but the reality is that it can be done. All it takes is some strategizing and self-belief. If you are a busy mom who is thinking about enrolling at university either part-time or full-time, you will undoubtedly be on the lookout for advice to help you through the next few years. Here it is…
Research with Lots of Time to Spare
This is imperative ahead of when you intend to apply to your college of choice. Familiarize yourself with the various requirements because they tend to look slightly different from institution to institution. As you can read about on the Campus Reel website, the Boston University requirements, for example, include a 3.71 GPA and a minimum score of 1320 on the SAT or 91 on the ACT.
Create a Schedule
Once you have been accepted and the coursework gets underway, time management is going to be key in making a success of this new endeavor. Ultimately, planning your day out in your head every evening before bed just isn’t going to cut it. As all parents know, your to-do list is likely to be as long as your arm, meaning that it’s impossible to remember everything unless you physically write it down and plan it out. When your schedule has been created, be strict about sticking to it and ensure that everyone in the family is aware of what it looks like.
Find that Delicate Balance
It is important to set time aside for three things. Your family, your work/studies, and your own physical and mental well-being. Each of these aspects of your life is equally important and needs to be treated as such. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be acceptable for you to go to bed after an exhausting day and not take an hour or so to do something relaxing or enjoyable. Me-time doesn’t stop being a must just because you have piled a few more responsibilities onto your plate!
Embrace Shared Study Time
This is a great idea if your children are of school-going age. Set aside a specific time each afternoon or evening where you all spend an hour or two studying and working on homework. You will be there to lend a hand if necessary, and it will be a wholesome bonding experience for everyone.
If your kids are a bit younger, you can still try to make this a habit by encouraging them to engage in an arts and crafts activity or an educational game while you put your head down and study. They will feel comforted to have you nearby and yet you will still be able to get some work done.
Try to Remain Flexible
As important as it is to do your best to stick to your schedule, the reality is that parenting is unpredictable. Adjust your expectations and remain flexible as much as is possible. Make the effort to tick off all the tasks on your list but be alright with the fact that some days it simply won’t be manageable.
Take a deep breath and power through. The hard work and the sacrifices will all pay off in the end.