Students blog

College can feel overwhelming. Registering for classes, getting books, finding a classroom, and just finding your way around campus. In my scenario, it gets overwhelming because I need to work with my kids’ schedule as well as my class schedule. Here’s how I balance college life with two kids!

Online Learning

For my lifestyle, I rely heavily on online classes, which give me the flexibility to plan accordingly around my two kids. Having a schedule is essential to stay on task and meet deadlines, which helps me meet family responsibilities as well as college tasks and time management.

Organize with Planners

Organization is the key to success. Having a planner, calendar, or a digital planner helps me stay on top of assignments, exams, and family commitments. I have a planner at my desk, so I can see everything coming up for the work week. I also use a digital calendar on my phone where I can see everything at a glance - my kid’s appointments, school events, doctor’s appointments as well as my class assignments. Staying organized helps me stay positive and not get overwhelmed by all the different events happening.

Establish Support

Balancing college with two kids can be challenging, but it's possible with efficient time management and support. My husband is my support system. He takes over when I have a work meeting or watches one of our kids when the other one has an appointment. My professors can also be a part of my support network. The most important factor here is communicating, whether it’s with your professors or significant other, about your situation. Most of my past professors have been understanding and offered flexibility or accommodations when an emergency came up.

Practice Self-Care

Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself. Find time for self-care activities to maintain your overall well-being. For me, I find time to go to the gym at least four times a week and weight train. It helps me feel stronger and it helps me mentally, to focus on myself.

Whether it’s enrolling in online classes, utilizing planners, leaning on your support network, or taking time for yourself, it is possible to balance pursuing your college education with parenthood. Find what works best for your situation and reach for your goal!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

More than two decades ago, my college journey began, and I am still on that journey today. My pathway is one of heartbreak and loss, but also countless blessings. John Lennon sums it up perfectly with this quote, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." I hope my story will encourage students of all ages to realize their educational dreams, no matter the magnitude.

Change of Plans

After high school graduation, I was ready to take on the world. My next step...college! I was an innocent teenager with a solid plan. I would attend college, graduate in four years, and become a teacher. January 11, 2000, everything changed.

In the process of unpacking my dorm room, my Resident Assistant informed me I had a visitor downstairs. The elevator jerked to a halt and the doors slid open. I rounded the corner to find my dad standing in the lobby. He said we needed to talk. Immediately panicked, I asked if my mother was alright. "Yes," Dad said. I then learned that my older brother had been in a fatal car accident, I packed my suitcase and headed home.

I didn't have a plan, but God did. I do not believe that Darrell's passing was necessary, but his loss has served countless purposes in my life, my faith journey, and my professional development into adulthood.

Trust the Process

As a younger student, I never imagined I would be the type of person to become so engaged in my education outside of the classroom much less emerge as a leader among my peers. But after returning to school as a non-traditional student, that is exactly what happened. My first accomplishment, being accepted into the Honors College on scholarship. I became the President of The Future Teachers Club, and soon after, I was asked to mentor new Honors Students and students in the lifePATH^® Program. Currently, I have the blessing of serving as Pearson Campus Ambassador and writing this blog. Did I ever dream of being a blog author? Never! No matter your path, and it may seem arduous, trust the process. The world's most beautiful diamonds remain under pressure for billions of years before producing their ethereal glow.

Parenthood

Motherhood is a catalyst for my achievements, but raising children while working, going to school, and taking care of my home is not easy. Being a stay-at-home Mom has produced glory and if I dare say, a much stronger gut. It took time to learn how to do it gracefully. I understand the value of time, something that diminishes before our eyes. Now my children can experience their future dreams, goals, and accomplishments through my lens. I hope that my children will understand the importance of believing in themselves and holding themselves to higher standards. Every parent's dream is for their child to be successful and productive. What better way to help them achieve that dream than through modeling it myself?

The Transformation

My transformation started immediately, but I couldn't see it. After my brother's passing, I gained an unusual affinity for butterflies. Every single time I see one, I think of him. I cannot help but gasp at their weightlessness and their ability to be graceful as they appear to hop spastically through the air.

What's your dream? It's never too late to start.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

–Maya Angelou

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

I decided to take the plunge back into academia after an 11-year hiatus and two babies. Beyond scared is an understatement. As I evaluated my life and where I was compared to where I wanted to be, I knew I had to jump back in. I originally went to school to become a registered nurse during the first round in college.  I ended up hurting my back while working nights at a nursing facility to pay my way through school.  I was already too far in my schooling to completely change my major, but couldn’t continue nursing because of the severity of my injury. I got a general Associate’s of Arts degree and told myself I would go back later when I found my passion again.

Fast forward to now. I adore my children and want to show them how strong a woman can be. Criminology has always spoken to me, but I never thought I was good enough for that profession. I had every self-doubt you can make up or think of: everyone was smarter than me, more professional than me, had longer and better careers than me. But finally something changed.

I came across a local university that is public and had an online option in criminology and criminal justice. With tears I made the leap for the first time feeling a glimmer of the independent woman I knew I could be. I felt a level of hope I hadn’t dared to feel in a long-time – like I had a path, a purpose. Don’t get me wrong, my children give me so much fulfillment in my life and a level of love I never knew possible. Finishing my degree and starting a career was not only unfinished business and something I wanted just for me; it was also an example I felt I have to set for both of my children.

I am writing this as I enter my senior year working towards my bachelor’s degree and it is such a needed reminder. I have countless nights where I am up until 2 a.m. doing homework just to get up at 6 a.m. to get the kids off to school and go to my 8 to 5 job that is an hour commute away. I do wonder at times when I feel stretched so thin I could break, why am I doing this? Then I remember all my thousands of reasons and like magic, I pull this unknown strength I didn’t know I had to push on. I hope this blog helps give you a little extra push to remember through one more 2 a.m. night, one more commute, you’ve got this.