[ad] Tips for Single Parents Who Want to go Back to School

Higher education programs are really hard to get through, add a child or two into the mix and suddenly things are twice as hard. In general, about 1 out of every 4 undergraduate students has at least one child dependent on them with about half of them being single parents. This can bring up a lot of challenges, both economic and academic in nature. But, not to worry, there are plenty of things that can help to get through this time and come out with a solid degree to better your career and family life.

(image from: dadsdivorce.com)

When it comes to pursuing education, the odds are fairly stacked against single parents going for a degree. It is typical of single parents going to school to have low incomes, which means that they are likely to be working full time jobs on top of attaining an education. A huge challenge of this can occur due to the fact that many universities cater more to the traditional student, not offering as much reprieve from the burdens of single parenting and school. Student parents just require more accommodation in certain areas such as child care, flexible scheduling options, and possible support from students and faculty. This can be problematic.

However, there are many options that can make life as a single parent in school easier. For example, online courses are on the rise. This is especially true in the world of business and business education. Consider going for a degree in business and then later looking into some online accredited MBA programs. This will not only give you an education in something that is really relevant, it also offers many growth and expansion possibilities for the future – which is important to consider when taking care of a family. Along with the ability to obtain most (if not all) of your education online, many schools are beginning to implement parent-programs. These programs tend to cater to students that are trying to get through school while caring for their families. Though this concept is fairly new, it is growing in popularity as the number of parents in school rises.

There is a tendency for parents on campus to isolate themselves from the rest of the university community. This is another place where those previously mentioned parent programs would be helpful. It is hard to find something in common with a young, 18 year-old student who has no responsibility outside of going to school. That can make the experience lonely and harder to get through as statistically, those who surround themselves with friends and acquaintances have a higher rate of graduation and grade point averages. This also helps to combat depression and other mental conditions that have the ability to affect schooling.

Though not everyone goes into their higher education years with the expectation of struggling or trying to raise a family, the reality is that many students are facing that dilemma, and it is only going to get worse. Consider following some of these tips next time you are considering going back to school, but are afraid of how to do so.

This is a collaborative post.