Going Back to School with Small Children at Home
I had been teetering on and off in regards to if I should go back to school or not. I’ve always really enjoyed school and for me personally, I see a college education as beneficial. I just didn’t know how in the world was I going to go back to college with three children at home! I talked myself out of it for years and then earlier this year, I just did it! I stayed up late and filled out all of the necessary forms and decided I would start in the Summer.
Let me be the first to say that it is nowhere near easy! There have been many early mornings, late nights, and missed deadlines trying to make it work. My first semester was a very humbling experience. I took on way too many classes while working full time, with three kids, and virtual learning with my oldest. I even failed one of the classes I took which is fair, to say the least.
One of the most important lessons I learned was to give myself grace! I came in with high expectations that I was going to be a straight-A student and the workload was going to be easy. Clearly that has not happened. I had to readjust my mindset and give myself grace.
Let me also say it’s been so rewarding! It feels great to be back in school and learning. That first semester I found what works best for me and mapped out a schedule that works for me and my family’s schedule. Sometimes my daughter and I will have little mini-study sessions. She thinks it’s cool that I’m going back to school. It makes me feel good showing my kids that it is possible to still get a higher education with having them to take care of as well.
Some days are discouraging. Trust me when I failed that class I was full of so much self-doubt. But now that the Fall semester has started and I’ve implemented a few changes from the lessons I learned in my first semester, I know these last few years of school are going to fly by.
So here’s to you mama:
If you want to go back to school, DO IT! Do not wait around. Do not say next year or next semester. Start now. If you truly want to finish your degree, age isn’t what’s stopping you. Your kids aren’t what’s stopping you. You have to want it. You have to stay focused. You have to know in your heart that you can do this! And when times get tough, because it will get tough, remember why you’re going back to school. When you fail your first class, humble yourself, assess, adapt, and move on! At the end of the day, it is so important to take care of you, and if a degree matters to you then go after it!
Love & light,
Jalesa