College and University Blog
Going to College while Raising Children
Going to college is time-consuming and can be incredibly stressful. The same can be said about raising children. Some ambitious parents decide to attend college even though they have young kids at home!
Whether you had an unexpected pregnancy during college or are returning to school to improve your career aspects, going to college with kids can be a taxing yet rewarding experience. Balancing the responsibilities of parenthood with the responsibilities of being a college student is a challenge, but many people are able to pull off. The following advice can come in handy during the semester:
Plan your school schedule wisely.
If possible, schedule your college classes when your kids are also in school. If you have an infant or pre-school aged child, it may be better to take classes at night when your partner, spouse or another family member can watch the kids.
Take advantage of online classes.
Most colleges now offer at least some classes completely online or in a hybrid format, in which some on-campus meetings are required but the majority of the course is held online. Although they are still time-consuming and require just as much dedication and concentration as traditional classes, online college classes are more convenient for many parents because they offer a lot of flexibility.
Stay organized with a planner.
If you plan on wrapping up an assignment the night before it
Melissa Rhone+
Melissa Rhone earned her Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tampa. She resides in the Tampa Bay area and enjoys writing about college, pop culture, and epilepsy awareness.