Back-to-school season is in full swing. With children heading back to the daily grind of classes and studying, you might be wondering how you’ll fit your own studies into already packed schedules. Check out some of these tips from Ashworth College to help you study as a parent.
How to study as a parent
The idea of studying while having a seemingly endless list of parental responsibilities might seem like an impossibility. Between drop-off, pick-up, practices, and helping them to study, it may seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete your own schoolwork.
Fortunately, Ashworth College’s programs are all online and self-paced, so you set your own schedule. You don’t have to worry about staying up late to get some time alone or missing out on milestone moments. But even with a flexible schedule, you’ll need discipline and a few simple tricks that can help you maximize your study time.
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Create a schedule. While Ashworth’s courses are all flexible, it’s good to set aside a specific time each day to work on your studies. It will help keep you disciplined and prevent procrastination. If you can’t set aside that time during the day when your kids are at school, make sure all family members know that you need those certain hours for your work.
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Stay organized. One of the best ways to make sure you’re able to commit yourself to your studies is to ensure organization. You’ll save time, create daily habits, and keep yourself on track. Keep a planner or daily calendar with all your tasks - both for school and life - listed for each day. Prioritize in order of what’s most to least important.
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Dedicate a study space. It doesn’t have to be a large area or a room, but just enough space to keep away clutter like mail, kids’ school forms, and other non-school related items. You can also share study space with your child or children, too. Just make sure you have clear sections for each of you so there’s no overlap or confusion. Also make sure you have earbuds or headphones available so you’re not distracted by their work, and they’re not distracted by yours.
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Plan ahead. Life is full of surprises, but there are certain things we can plan to take care of in advance. If you know your child has a game or practice coming up during your normal study time, revise your schedule for that day. It also helps to plan meals ahead, preparing what you can before it’s needed.
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Be realistic. There are only 24 hours in each day and sometimes we feel tired and stressed. That’s ok. We all need a break sometimes and it’s important to listen to our bodies and inner voices when they tell us to slow down. If you’re unmotivated or burned out, forcing yourself into studying half-heartedly will only stress you out further. Taking a little break can help you regroup and approach your work refreshed, helping you work more efficiently.
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Be open to help. Parents often feel like they have to take everything on themselves or they’re not good enough. It’s ok to delegate tasks, even the ones you’re used to doing yourself. Ask older kids and partners to help out with chores, switch back and forth on bedtime duties, and anything else that you may need an extra hand with. Also remember that you’re not alone in this journey. If you feel like you need to let off steam, or need study help, or just some encouraging words, you can always find support in our
Student Community.
Why return to school as a parent?
Now that you know some ways to help balance parenthood and studying, you might be wondering why you should. Yes, it is a lot to take on, however, returning to school will set a good example for your children. They will see your hard work and perseverance. It can inspire them to work just as hard, as well as encourage them that anything is possible. Going back to school at the same time as your children can serve as motivation for you, too. It’s a great bonding opportunity, allowing you to relate to your children better, while also working together toward similar goals. Plus, the further you go with your education, the better opportunities you’ll have professionally. When you have better job prospects, including increased wages, it's reasonable to assume you and your children may also have a better quality of life.
Learn flexibly with Ashworth
Being a parent is hard work, but Ashworth College can help lighten the load so you can continue your education on your terms. Enroll online today or call to learn more about self-paced, online programs.
