Going back to school would be a breeze if a mom could just abandon all of those demanding daily chores. Unfortunately, the spouse, children, and the sanitary condition of the household are
paramount, even when studying is of utmost importance. How do smart mothers and wives juggle the various tasks that must be done until they finally obtain that coveted degree? Most reach this milestone through more efficient organization and good time management. The following tips and habits could free up large blocks of time that can be utilized for educational purposes:
Appropriate Help
Use every responsible body that is ready to volunteer to save time and energy. This could include friends, relatives, or neighbors. Anyone who loves you enough to be willing to pitch in to help should be graciously received. Get the group together before beginning classes and explain your plans. Then, kindly ask if they would be willing to help. The following are just a few of the ways a volunteer might contribute to a mom who is returning to college:
• Providing transportation for the children to and from school
• Swapping children for a play date in order to provide study time
• Picking up essentials, such as milk and bread, from the grocery store when they make their own trip
• Letting the children stay for an overnight visit on the evening before a big exam or when a large paper is due
• Proofreading assignments, tutoring in tough subjects, or providing feedback on major projects
• Preparing a meal for the family on the day Mom gets home latest from school
If you do not have personal acquaintances that can provide these types of services, consider asking at a local church or volunteer agency to locate people willing to pitch in while you are in school.
Create an Organized Space
College students need a place in the home that is off-limits to every other family member. If possible, it should contain a writing space, a laptop or computer, at least one shelf for books and
papers, and a filing cabinet. It would also be nice if the area had a door that separates it from other spaces and has appropriate lighting for reading. Family members should then be instructed that when Mom goes to this space, she is only to be interrupted for emergency purposes.
Eliminate Time Thieves
Moms need to monitor a few days to see where all of their time is actually spent. Most will find that the television takes up huge amounts and the phone snatches a few hours as well. Others may find that cooking household meals is a big consumer of time. Once the time thieves have been identified, moms should work hard to streamline processes and eliminate them.
By asking for help from family and friends, organizing a workspace, and scheduling family activities, moms in college can make life easier for everyone. In the end, every member of the family will also receive the benefits of a college degree.
This is a guest post from Jennifer Lewis. Jennifer writes for a website that has advice on grants for women returning to school, including government
grants for pregnant women. She believes time management skills are essential for busy moms trying to balance their studies with all their other responsibilities.
