Whether you’re taking on higher education for the first time or returning to complete unfinished studies, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you prepare as best you can.
Be Realistic About Your Time
Good time management is important for any student, particularly so if you are a mother balancing your time between parenting and study. As an intending student, you’ll need to determine your level of availability and how much time you can practically commit to your studies before the commencement of the program. Part of your time is already spent on household jobs, childcare, and everything else required of motherhood. You will need to determine if you have the availability for a full-time course or a part-time one.
Using time management apps or creating a regular study schedule can help with time management. You should try to dedicate different hours of the day to your coursework and stick to these times. You might even have to cut back on other not-so-important activities, like excess screen time or social media, just to provide space for productive study sessions. By being honest with yourself about the time you have available for work, you can set yourself up for success from the start and ensure you don’t end up stressed or burnt out.
Build A Support Network
To be a student and a mom at the same time is not an easy thing, so having a very strong support network is key. Whether it is emotional support from friends and family or practical help in babysitting, you need a network of people who truly understand your journey and can ease some of the burden on you. If you have family nearby, don't hesitate to ask for help with babysitting, cooking, or lending a hand with other tasks. Many moms find joining online parenting communities or attending local mom groups gives them a sense of community, knowing they have the support of those who understand their situation.
These support networks can be the very best places to share study tips or blow off steam in frustration. Knowing others who understand can add not only advice but also encouragement when the times get tough. A strong network ensures that you will have the people to lean on whenever things get rough in balancing your studies and family life. This can be valuable even before assignments pick up — whether you're finding yourself searching for part-time courses or nursing programs for single moms, just deciding on a pathway can be an overwhelming process, so having support around you is crucial.
Organize as Much as You Can
Having a concrete plan of how you are going to go about managing your time helps you do away with much of the stress of juggling these two demanding roles. First, plan your days and weeks. A planner or scheduling app will help you block out the time for coursework, meal preparation, household chores, and above all, rest. Scheduling dedicated study times will help one to remain focused, and following such a plan will ensure that things do not pile up at the last moment.
Meal prepping on weekends or just having ideas for simple and quick dinners during busy school days can also help avoid a lot of stress.
Take Care Of Yourself
In a world where you’re balancing being a mom and student, it becomes easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of responsibilities and overlook one's well-being. However, self-care is not something to be regarded as a frivolous luxury; rather, it is an essential facet of life. Burnout can easily occur if you are always on the go. Dealing with your mental and physical health is key to long-lasting success. Do simple things — short walks, meditation, indulging in the things you like. All of these will boost your energy and help you stay focused.
It's also important to know when you need help, and this is part of self-care. Don't hesitate to ask for support, whether from your partner, family, or friends. If you permit yourself to take a step back and you are truly taking care of yourself, then you will be able to handle the responsibilities that come with both motherhood and school without burnout. Remember, your well-being is just as vital as your academic success.
This journey will no doubt be very challenging, but little considerations can make all the difference in staying on track. Remember, it might be hard, but the rewards are immense, both in personal growth and for the future of your family. So, jump into learning, but do so with strategies that will serve you in the long run.
