Each year, more and more parents are enrolling on degree courses in order to change their lives by improving their qualifications and job prospects. Whether you are considering returning to school in order to get your undergraduate degree for the first time so that you can work in a career which allows you to better provide for your family, or are thinking about taking a postgraduate degree course in order to improve your career and income prospects, going back to school as an adult and a parent can be a very daunting experience. However, every year, there are many parents who graduate successfully and go on to achieve their career goals. We’ve put together some top tips to help any parents who are considering going to college.
For many parents who are thinking about returning to school, online study is a no-brainer. When you sign up to do your degree course online, you’ll have a much more flexible schedule as there’ll be no need for you to work around attending classes on campus at set times. Although some courses may require you to visit the campus a few times for things such as meetings, exams or reviews, the majority of materials learned during an online degree are done in your own time and from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere else with an internet connection!). This is perfect for busy parents, as it means that you can get your degree without causing too much disruption to your family schedule. You can take online degrees in a whole range of courses, for example a health care law degree from Maurice A. Deane School of Law.
Parents who are considering going back to college to study for a degree often worry about expenses, especially tuition fees. Unless your own parents are hugely supportive of your academic venture and offer to pay, or you’ve managed to save up thousands of dollars to cover the cost, paying for tuition is not always easy. Because of this, it’s essential to start applying early for any grants and financial aid which you are eligible for. You should check with your local area, the college itself, and organizations such as the American Bar Association, for example, which may provide funding to students taking law subjects such as health law and policy.
One of the most important things for parents to do when they are returning to school is plan ahead. With a plan that details exactly how you are going to manage your time, how childcare is going to be arranged, and where you are going to go for support when needed, you’re in with a much better chance of success when it comes to completing your degree, whether you’re studying online or on-campus. Putting together plans of action for a range of situations which you might face will help you to feel more prepared and confident as you study.
Going back to college as a parent isn’t an easy feat, but with the right plan in place, you can make it a success.
