Managing College As a Parent

If you’re a parent, you know there aren’t enough hours in the day. Going back to college can feel impossible. However, you don’t need to stress; getting a degree as a parent is an achievable goal. With these tips, you’ll be able to manage your college degree and continue being a successful parent. 

Find Flexible Options

The first tool for success is finding flexible options for your degree. As a parent, you might not be able to attend in-person classes full-time. Thankfully, many universities are beginning to offer hybrid education paths. Getting your college degree online could give you the flexibility you need to spend time with your family. If you’re working, an online degree will help you even more. You can choose the hours you take your courses, allowing you to shape your degree around your work schedule. 

If you don’t want to get your degree completely online, some universities are offering flex paths, where you attend in-person classes only half the time. With these courses, you’ll do some of your learning in the classroom and some online, allowing you to customize your schedule. Of course, college is a big step, but finding flexible options can help you take it. 

Ask For Help If You Need It

Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help. As a parent, you’re used to caring for everyone around you. Going for a degree will require that you focus on yourself, so you may need to ask for some help. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed with your class load, talk to your professors to see if your schedule can be amended. In many cases, teachers will be willing to give you more time on assignments if you just ask. 

You might also need to ask your family for some extra help. Since you won’t be available as often for things like childcare, meal prep, or cleaning, you may have to ask some family members to help you get everything done. As a parent, you’re involved in almost everything your family does. When you go back to college, your family will need to be involved in your success. By asking for help, you can reduce stress and stay on track for your degree.

Set Study Boundaries

Finally, you’ll need to set some boundaries with your family. While college doesn’t mean you aren’t a parent anymore, your family must know that your education is one of your priorities. Setting up routine study times, a study room, and quiet play areas can help keep your home calm enough that you can get your work done. These boundaries may take a bit of time to stick, but staying consistent will help them succeed. 

Along similar lines, make sure you’re developing healthy study habits. With your busy lifestyle, it can be tempting to always postpone studying and assignments to later. Unfortunately, constantly putting things off can lead to cramming and poor scores. By developing wise study habits early on, you can keep your grades high and reduce stress throughout your college career. Keeping healthy boundaries and study practices will help you succeed.

Overall, being a parent doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in college. By adapting your college approach, you can get your degree with little to no strain on your family.