Making it in today’s economy might require you to advance your education – doing so when you already have a family to support adds a wrench to the mix — but it’s one you can work around with the right approach – so read these 6 tips for parents going back to school.
You need to fine-tune your organizational and time management skills to get everything done.
It’s equally important to care for your health and needs, lest you snap at those you love the most when stressed.
Here are six tips for parents going back to school.
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Table of Contents
Schedule Your Week
Juggling your varied responsibilities requires planning.
It doesn’t matter if you opt for one of today’s most popular apps or an old-fashioned paper model — you need a planner to chart your week.
Sit down each Sunday night, schedule and assign time estimates to each required task.
Review your list at the end of each day, adjusting your time as necessary.
It’s also smart to calendar all your important due and exam dates and set alarms on your cellphone.
This way, you can use found time to study, perhaps listening to a recorded lecture on your morning commute or carrying your books to the office before a test to hit them on your breaks.
You need to take advantage of each available minute.
Keeping your to-do list with you reminds you of vital upcoming deadlines and lets you better manage your time.
Make a Financial Plan
Going back to school is expensive.
Costs can exceed $10,000 per semester for in-state undergraduate students, and graduate degrees set you back even more.
Make a realistic financial plan that weighs the benefits of your likely future income against the costs incurred.
You might discover that it’s in your best interest to keep searching for less expensive avenues to further your education.
Many students overestimate their post-graduation starting salary by as much as $50,000 — that’s a huge budgetary discrepancy.
Student loan forgiveness sounds like a dream, but it isn’t likely to happen anytime soon.
Spare yourself from future regrets by understanding your chances of earning a livable wage after graduation before filling out your FAFSA.
Remember, you’re a role model for your little ones as a parent.
Fill them in on your decision-making process, introducing them to sound money management principles from a young age.
Embrace Conveniences
Going back to school is stressful enough.
When you add work and children to the mix, things can become overwhelming quickly.
Now is the time to embrace whatever conveniences your budget will afford.
Is it a chore to get dinner on the table each night?
Perhaps investing in a meal delivery service will save you time at the grocery and deciding what to make each evening.
You still have to care for your health and exercise is one of the best ways to do so while mitigating stress.
However, getting dressed and driving to the gym might seem like too much to handle.
Can you invest in some inexpensive resistance bands and perhaps a jump rope so that you can take mini fitness breaks at home in between study sessions?
After all, no one says you have to squeeze in your recommended 30 minutes of daily fitness in one session.
If you use the Pomodoro method while studying, you can use your 5-minute breaks to crank out some biceps curls and squats.
Rally the Troops
You aren’t in this alone — you have your family for support.
While you don’t want to put too much responsibility on your kids, you can ask them to chip in and help pick up the slack while you study.
For example, create a chore chart that you can hang on your refrigerator — a magnetic whiteboard works well for this purpose.
List your weekly to-dos around the house and have a family meeting where you each select tasks for which you’re responsible.
When the assigned party finishes their work, they place a checkmark letting you know that the dishwasher is empty and the dog poo is picked up out of the yard.
Seek Networking Opportunities
Please don’t wait until after graduation to begin networking in your new field.
While you may have a lot on your plate, today’s competitive job market means you need as many connections as possible to land a gig that covers your bills with a little left over to save for a rainy day.
Seek networking opportunities.
It’s never easier to do so than when you have an advisor at your disposal.
Talk to yours about upcoming in-person and virtual events.
Adopt a Growth Mindset
If it’s been a while since you hit the books, you could quickly grow frustrated.
This rule goes double if you learn online and have to master new technology before even digging into the course material.
It’s natural to think, “I’ll never get this,” — but even more important to counter that negative idea. Instead, adopt a growth mindset.
Instead of saying, “I can’t do it,” try, “I can’t do it — yet.”
Then, keep trying. Research shows that people who keep attempting arduous tasks despite their challenges go further in life.
Persistence pays off and you will get it with time. Be patient.
Tips for Parents Going Back to School
Going back to school presents multiple challenges.
Doing so while raising a family requires a plan and plenty of persistence.
Follow the above six tips for parents going back to school.
With enough grit, you can achieve your academic and career goals.
