As a single mom you more than likely have several responsibilities to juggle each day, including student life. When you consider going back to school it may seem overwhelming. If you want to earn a degree you can make plans and arrange to go to school part time if you need to. Many single moms choose to be a part time student in order to keep their jobs and have time for their children.
Part time college classes are often very flexible to schedule including evening, weekend and online classes to make it easier for you to fit your education into your schedule. It may take you a few extra years to earn your degree by going to school part time, but the ability to keep gainful employment and have time for your kids while going to school is a major benefit of part time classes. With online classes you can even do your work after the kids go to bed at night or early in the morning, you can’t beat the flexibility of part time classes when you consider some of the alternatives. Would you rather work a full shift 5 days a week and also go to classes at night 5 days a week in order to be a full time student? When would you see your kids, and when you did see them would you be in any frame of mind to enjoy them?
Financial aid, grants and even some scholarships are available for single moms even if they are only attending school part time. Schools, employers and financial providers are aware of how difficult it can be to manage going back to school when you are a single mom and many will work with you to arrange a set work schedule, flexible class scheduling and financial aid so that you can take on the challenge of earning your degree.
Some employers even offer tuition assistance for furthering education classes that you can take part time to better prepare yourself for promotion within your company. Don’t pass up any opportunity to get your education. It may take some juggling and more than a little flexibility, but even as a part time student you can earn your degree while still taking care of your family.
When you speak with a school counselor to begin the process of going back to school be sure to ask what your options are for part time student life versus full time and whether the choice to be a part time student will affect any of your financial options.
More Single Mom Resources |
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
A lot of single moms have been beat down emotionally for so long that the song in your head constantly sings “I can’t do it.” I am here to tell you that YOU CAN! I, too, was one of those women. After 15 years of being told I needed to tolerate whatever my husband did because nobody else would have me, I found myself a 34-year-old single mother of 3 making $16K/year. My house was foreclosed on, my car repossessed, and more than once I fell asleep crying, not knowing where the next meal was coming from or how I would pay my bills. I was working full-time and took on two part-times as well as teaching an adult computer class one night per week. One day I found myself sitting at the computer filling out something called a “FAFSA” and it was as if my fingers had a life of their own. In my head, the song of “you can’t do it” started to play but for some reason, I kept typing. Before I knew it, I had been approved for financial aid and was being asked to register for classes. Again, what am I thinking? I have a 15-year-old, an 11-year-old, and a 10-year-old. They have places to be and I’m the only one to get them there. But I proceeded to sign up for 2 physical night classes and 3 online classes. Then I dove in. I felt “selfish” going to classes and actually enjoyed them. I’ve broken that “you can’t do it” record and replaced it with “You CAN do it!” I finished those first 5 classes with a 4.0 GPA – straight A’s! I am currently finishing my second semester of 6 classes (1 physical, 5 online) with 4 A’s and 2 B’s, and am already half way to my degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing, still while working full-time and raising 3 kids. I go to sleep at night with dreams of walking across that stage, accepting my diploma, and looking up to see the pride in my children’s eyes. If you’re considering going back to school, PLEASE let my story be an inspiration to you. As I tell my kids, with God’s help, you can do ANYTHING you set your heart and mind on achieving.
That’s great! I am so glad to hear it! I am glad the whole journey worked out for you, and yes you’re right : You CAN do it!