Last updated on June 15th, 2017 at 09:41 am
I think going back to school as an adult is a brave and courageous thing to do. I remember being there when I was in my twenties and I can imagine it’s intimidating after becoming an adult going back to join the twenty somethings in class. Either way, it’s a great thing to do. My own mother went back to school as a single parent. She took online classes for some subjects and others she had to drive an hour to campus to attend but she made it work. I look up to her so much for not only going back to school and somehow making parenting us kids easy because it couldn’t have been juggling all that on her own.
Going back to school in order to pursue a degree as an adult comes with its own set of different challenges. But, going back to school in order to advance and improve your education when you are a single mother can be even more difficult. Along with looking after your little one and providing financially for your young family, you will have a whole new set of academic things to worry about as well. But, however daunting it may seem, returning to education as a single mom is definitely possible, with more and more moms signing up to degree courses each year. With the right information and some good, thorough planning, you can achieve the degree and the grade that you want.
Online Learning
Online learning offers a diverse and flexible approach to further education, something that allows single moms to schedule their studies around their existing commitments. Online learning has been a godsend for many parents, as it’s possible to study for anything, whether you’re hoping to gain your GED or want to become a doctor of nursing practice. With everything from high school diplomas to advanced degrees such as the DNP online available to study at your own pace and at a time that is convenient to you, e-learning could be the answer to your problems.
Grants and Financial Support
No matter what you are studying for, it can be difficult to get back into education as a single parent due to the financial side of things. Often, returning to school as an adult can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to look into any sort of financial support or grants which you may be eligible for. You might also want to let your employer know about your plans for education too, because if you’re going back to school in order to further your career – for example, if you’re a registered nurse hoping to study for a doctorate in nursing practice – your employer may be able to offer some help towards funding.
Get the Kids Involved
If you don’t want to limit your study time to only the evenings and weekends, why not turn it into a family activity? Depending on the age of your children, you may be able to set some time aside per day for everybody, you included, to do homework. Not only does this mean that you’ll be able to get more done – if everything goes to plan – it’ll also encourage your kids to get on with their homework if you’re sat there studying with them.
Have Support
Last but not least, it’s important to be fully aware that studying whilst raising kids as a single parent is never easy. Because of this, it’s absolutely vital that you build up a good support network of friends, family members and others who you can turn to for help, advice and support when you need it the most.
If you’re a single parent, you might think that going back to school is out of the question. But, with the right planning and choices, you can definitely achieve your academic goals. It’s just as good for you as it is for your child or children. It not only gives you the further education and skills to move forward but it provides a role model for your family that anything is possible if you work hard at it. That’s one of the biggest lessons my own mother taught me just by watching her strive forward.
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