Taking some time to work on your career is a great thing to do, but it’s not necessarily the easiest when you’re taking care of your family too. Embarking on further study can be necessary to give you the skills you need for your job, or to switch careers altogether. You’ll soon realize, however, that juggling studying with your other commitments is much more difficult than it was when you were in high school or college. You need to work at it a lot harder in order to succeed.
While it might be difficult, it’s not impossible. Take a look at these useful tips for fitting in your education around your family so that you can look forward to a brighter future for all of you.
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Choose a flexible study option
We’re fortunate that today’s education offers different ways to learn and get the skills and qualifications you need. A flexible study option is ideal for moms who need to be able to drop everything and fit in childcare, etc. around their work. An online course can allow you to complete your studies in your own time, helping you pick it up when you can and being able to study from anywhere – including your own home.
If you’re unsure about the types of degree offered and whether or not they’re useful, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a lot of choice from DNP midwifery programs to project management degrees. Explore the different options that are out there and find one that best suits you.
Get plenty of quiet time
To be able to study, you’re going to need some distraction-free time where you can sit down to concentrate without being interrupted. Whether that’s asking your partner to take the kids out for a few hours or making the most of the time they’re at school, you need to grab opportunities for some quiet time when you can. You might need to consider getting some additional childcare while you study to give you a few extra hours to settle down to work. Remember that taking some time to yourself is important, so remember to factor in some time to de-stress and relax too.
Take your time
One of the things you might find challenging about returning to study is that you’re not picking things up as quickly as you thought you would or that it’s taking you longer to make progress. There are skills you can practice, however, that will teach you to study smarter to be able to retain more, which are useful when your time is so valuable. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your tutors, colleagues or friends if there are elements that you’re struggling with.
Re-entering education is a fantastic way to boost your career, and being a mom shouldn’t have to be an obstacle to realizing your ambitions. Making studying fit around your existing routine isn’t always easy, but it will soon slot into place. This is just short-term pain for long-term gain, and it will all be worth it secure a better future for you and your family.
