Returning to college and pursuing your degree as an adult can be challenging,
especially if you are a single parent. However, despite the difficulty
of the task, accomplishing your educational goals is possible.
The following are important tips for helping single parents become successful
in the classroom and at home:
- Establish a schedule. Time management is one of the most important aspects of going back to
school if you are a single parent. You can create a visual schedule that
lists your class and work schedule, as well as time for home assignments,
in correspondence with your child’s schedule. You can hang your
schedule on the refrigerator, so your child can see where you are at all times. - Obtain consistent child care. One of the toughest obstacles single parents face is having someone watch
their child while they are gone, especially for long stretches of each
day. While some school offers child care service, your student affairs
office can provide references. - Lean on your support network. Being surrounded by supportive friends, family, and acquaintances that
you can count on for encouragement when times get tough is important in
any situation, particularly for going back to school as an adult. Having
people on your side from the day you start until the day you graduate
can ensure success. - Find ways to save money. Since college tuition can be expensive, try to see if you are eligible
for federal financial aid. You can even apply for scholarships that meant
for single parents. - Communicate with your professors. As parents, you can never predict when your child will suffer an injury
or fall ill. By introducing yourself to your professors and informing
them of your situation can be helpful, especially when life’s surprises
occur. After all, we are all human. - Do your homework with your children. Depending on the age of your children, you may be able to do homework with
them. If your kids aren’t old enough for school, have them sit with
you and color or practice the alphabet while you do your assignments,
making your child feel like you both are doing something together. - Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and exercise when time permits.
For more information about our Ocala family law firm,
contact Anne E. Raduns today.