Working Moms - Succeeding in College

You just never seem to have any spare time to do all the things that need to get done. Everything is a priority. You don't know where the time does. Now, you are also thinking of going back to school!

Finances are an issue now adding a tuition check to each month's budget does not seem like an option. What do you do? The US Census Bureau reports that about 20% of American families are single-parent households, and in most case the breadwinner is a mother. In addition 95% of the single parents make less than $75,000 a year in income. So, for many going back to school without some form of financial aid is not an option.

According to a United States Department of Labor report, in addition to working full time, the average mom spends another ten hours a day running house hold activities, taking care of family members, cleaning, cooking, washing, buying groceries, playing with the children, running car pools and many other tasks and responsibilities.

Good news for working parents! There is a variety of programs available for working parents to support them financially. There are several accredited colleges and universities with online and distance learning options for parents who need to be flexible. In addition there are many financial resources available for working moms. Many government and private organization also have fund specifically reserved for working parents.

The first step is to figure what you want to go back to school for. Then, find out the available financial options from the prospective college. This information can be obtained from the college's financial aid office. In-depth Internet research will also yield you various results. In addition, going to the local library and looking through the annual scholarship books is always a good recommendation. One thing to remember though - watch for the deadlines and make sure you submit your application on time. Also determine the application materials that should be submitted such as letters of recommendation or essays and prepare those ahead of time. In addition, be sure to apply for the right scholarships. Some are quite specific in their criteria. For example some scholarships are only available for student in certain areas such as engineering or science.

The next step is time management. Given all the things on your plate, adding school to the list can be overwhelming. Create a routine and try and stick to it. For instance, ensure that the kids are in bed by a certain time so that you can study without interruptions. Make lunches the evening before rather than trying to rush in the morning. Also, delegate tasks to the family members so that you do not have to do it all alone. This will create less stress and allow you to be able to concentrate better in your studies. Keep a planner or calendar so that you always have an idea of activities that are coming up to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.

As far as succeeding in your classes, there are a few strategies that you can employ. First, find out what each of your instructors expects from you early in the course. Then, ensure you read the syllabus thoroughly and ask any questions sooner than later. Write down due dates for assignments and exam dates and study ahead of time.

Dont wait until the last minute to start working on your big class project or term paper. Creating self-deadlines is a good strategy get this going. Be sure to prioritize your assignments and your work or home activities ensuring nothing gets pushed back. Pace yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help. It is also very important to be self confident and to tell yourself you can do it.

Sophia Peters writes for a site that has content on careers and colleges. If you are interested in advertising and marketing degrees or human resources degrees, visit the site for additional content on other careers.

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