As a parent, tackling your goals is always going to be more difficult for you than it was before you became a mom or dad. With another person (or people) completely dependent on you, everything that you do needs to be tailored to fit their needs just as much, if not more so than your own. For many parents, furthering their education and advancing professionally is essential when it comes to providing for themselves and their family. But, as any parent who’s tried will know, studying with a little one can be hard work. So, we’ve put together some tips for parents who are determined to overcome the challenges of going to college as a mom or dad.
For many parents, the rise of online study has been a god-send as it has made it so much easier for them to fit their education into their daily routine. Thanks to online study, parents no longer have to worry about being late to a 9am class after doing the school run, or whether or not they’ll have to miss an evening lecture as they can’t find anybody to babysit. Online study provides you with all the resources that you need to complete your degree at home, without having to set foot on campus! For more information on what online programs provide, take a look at this online masters in PR.
Many parents underestimate the amount of work that they will need to put in in order to be successful with a college degree, whether they are studying online or at the campus. Because of this, it’s important to be aware that throughout the program, there are probably going to be times where you will need to be child-free, for example if you are studying for finals or completing your thesis. Before you begin, reach out to your family and friends for support so that you know you have a network of people that you can rely on to help you get through.
Today, it’s easier than ever before for anybody to return to education, whether they choose to study online or on campus. With part-time study, you can study and still work full-time, allowing you to maintain the same level of income that’s needed to sustain yourself and your family. Although part-time degree programs will take a little longer to complete, a part-time online masters in public relations will be much less stressful for you than a full-time, on-campus program.
Last but not least, planning ahead is crucial for staying on track and keeping up to date with work when studying for a degree as a parent. Although you can’t plan for many things with children, having plans in place for study will give you some structure to stick to and enable you to get the most out of the time you have both academically and in your family life.
Are you a parent who’s studying for a degree? We’d love to hear your story in the comments.