Just because you’re a mother certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue a college degree, whether you’re planning on going back to school after already having received your bachelor’s degree years ago, or you’re planning on going to college for the first time since graduating high school. But balancing your role as a mother and as a student can be difficult because each of these roles requires a lot of responsibility, so continue reading for a few tips on how you can go about balancing being a mom with getting a degree that will qualify you for the work that you’ll love doing every day.
Get Your Degree Online
Regardless of what field you hope to enter when you are ready to join the workforce again, you can likely find an online degree program that will provide you with the flexibility that you need to balance your responsibilities as a mom and as a student. For example, you can go to Rutgers School of Social Work and get a masters in social work from one of the most well known and reputable universities on the planet.
The great thing about doing a MSW online is the fact that you can often do so on your own time and at your own pace. So, for example, if you have a young child, you can wait until they are tucked in for the night to start doing your homework or taking an exam. Or you can work on your reading assignments while your child is taking a nap during the day. This flexibility will ensure that you can keep your life balanced and the stress levels as low as possible.
Ask for Support
Having a support system in place is imperative while you work on getting your degree and being a fantastic mother. Never be afraid to ask your spouse, older children, friends, relatives, and parents for support and assistance whenever you need it, especially at the end of every semester when things can get particularly hectic as you struggle to finish up any final projects and study for final exams.
You may be surprised by how much people are willing to help, but you need to be unafraid to ask them first. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and everyone will understand that what you’re doing is challenging but worthwhile.
Talk to Your Professors
Never be afraid to talk to your professors and let them know about your situation so that they will understand if you have to miss a class or a deadline. Kindly ask for extensions, but don’t go overboard, as you want to prove that you have what it takes to be a parent and a student who gets good grades.
With the tips above, you can maintain a balance in your life that will allow you to be a loving mother and a responsible student. Once you have your degree, you will be so proud of your accomplishment, and your friends and family will be proud of you as well as you go on to pursue the career of your dreams.