Last Updated on June 24, 2019 by Ellen Christian
Are you worried about juggling college and family life? I got married at 18 so I didn’t go to college right after high school like many people do. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and I was anxious to get out of the house on my own. Eventually, I got to the point where I realized I didn’t like my job as a secretary. Unfortunately, I didn’t really have the education or experience to do anything else and I was stuck in a job I didn’t like earning a wage that wasn’t enough to support us. I realized something needed to change and decided to look into going back to college.
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Juggling College and Family
Juggling college and family life can be a challenge. That is even truer when you are still working full time while going to college. I couldn’t afford to stop working while I went to college so it required a bit of creativity to make it work. These are 5 ways to make going back to college work for you and your family if this is something you’re considering.
Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There will be times that you have a project or a test due and will need your husband or the kids to pitch in with housework or dinner preparation. Don’t be afraid to let them know you’ll need their help. Plan a few easy meals for evenings you have a heavy workload or make those nights, crockpot nights.
Homework time
Make homework a family affair. Let the kids see you doing your homework. It sets a great example for them. Bring everyone to the kitchen table and work on your homework together. Younger children can play along with crayons and paper to pretend they have homework.
Use a schedule
Schedule important dates and times on your calendar so you don’t forget them. You don’t want to have a huge project due on the same day you’ve volunteered to make 100 cupcakes for your child’s class party. This planner would help organize everything.
Find a support system
Find a support system. It’s always helpful to have someone to talk to that understands what you’re going through. See if there is a friend or classmate you can talk to.
Online classes
Consider going back to school online. Going to school online will give you the flexibility you need to take classes around your family and work schedules.
I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I went part time while I worked full time. My daughter was born right at the end of my senior year and juggling a newborn baby and full-time job while trying to complete my college thesis definitely took some juggling. Getting my college degree meant that I could find a job I enjoyed that paid much better than what I could earn without a degree. It’s hard to believe but my daughter will graduate from college this year with a major in theater arts. Time has gone so quickly since I got my own degree.
Western Governor’s University
Western Governor’s University (WGU) is a different type of university. It’s a nonprofit, accredited university with a goal of addressing the obstacles facing people who want to go back to college. You know… those things like time and money. Their focus is learning, not how many hours you spend in a classroom or in front of the computer. Once you’ve mastered the class content, you can take the test when you’re ready. It’s not based on how many days or weeks have passed. The more courses you complete each term, the faster you graduate. This saves you both time and money and is a great solution for those interested in going to college while juggling a job and family.
No matter what’s going on in your life right now, whether it’s a new baby, a job loss, your own children graduating or something else, WGU has options that will get you started in earning your own degree. Juggling college and family life can be challenging at times but it’s definitely worth it. Use my unique code above to waive your application fee at WGU right now!
What are the challenges that are holding you back? Are you concerned about juggling college and family life?
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
