Tips for Working Mothers Returning to College

By Sophia Peters

You just never seem to have any spare time to do all the things that need to get done. Everything is a priority. You don't know where the time does. Now, you are also thinking of going back to school!

Cost has also been an issue and adding a tuition payment to the monthly budget is not always feasible. What then are your options? The United States U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 20% of families in the country are headed by a single parent and in a majority of these cases, the parent is the mother. In addition only 5% of single parents earn over $75,000 a year. Therefore, without financial aid, it becomes increasingly difficult to realize the hope of completing their education.

The United States Department of Labor report, most moms work full time. They then spend another ten hours a day taking care of their families, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, running car pools, playing with their kids in addition to other responsibilities.

Good news for working parents! There is a variety of programs available for working parents to support them financially. There are several accredited colleges and universities with online and distance learning options for parents who need to be flexible. In addition there are many financial resources available for working moms. Many government and private organization also have fund specifically reserved for working parents.

The first step is to determine what you want to study in college. Next, determine the available financial resources from your prospective university or college. You can get this information from the financial aid office. You can also do a thorough Internet search for resources available in databases. In addition, stop by the local library and look through the annual scholarship reports. These tend to have the most current information. Something to remember is that many scholarships have deadlines so be sure to submit your application ahead of time. Determine what information needs to be submitted and prepare it ahead of schedule, for example letters of recommendation or career goals statements. Also be sure to look closely at the criteria for eligibility. Some financial aid is only available to students in certain areas such as mathematics, engineering, or nursing.

The next step is time management. Given all the things on your plate, adding school to the list can be overwhelming. Create a routine and try and stick to it. For instance, ensure that the kids are in bed by a certain time so that you can study without interruptions. Make lunches the evening before rather than trying to rush in the morning. Also, delegate tasks to the family members so that you do not have to do it all alone. This will create less stress and allow you to be able to concentrate better in your studies. Keep a planner or calendar so that you always have an idea of activities that are coming up to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.

As far as succeeding in your classes, there are a few strategies that you can employ. First, find out what each of your instructors expects from you early in the course. Then, ensure you read the syllabus thoroughly and ask any questions sooner than later. Write down due dates for assignments and exam dates and study ahead of time.

Do not wait for the night before an assignment is due to begin working on it or for the end of the semester to start working on the big assignment or project. Develop self-deadlines and milestones and work toward those throughout the term. Ensure that you also prioritize between your home, school and work activities and determine which items must be attended to first. Pace yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help or to ask questions. Also important, have self-confidence - convince yourself you can do it, because you can!!

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