Having a baby is no reason to give up on education goals. Whilst it’s much harder to study whilst looking after an infant, it’s not impossible and many parents manage it. Here are a few ways in which you can manage your studies whilst looking after your little one.
Study online
Nowadays, it’s possible to study many courses online – this could allow you to study in your own time, whilst not having to travel and be away from you little one. You can study everything from a nursing degree to a leadership degree online. Such online courses can be cheaper than regular courses, although this isn’t always a guarantee. When choosing an online course, try to read reviews on the web and compare itineraries to see which one appeals most to you.
Take advantage of grants
To help fund your studies, it’s worth looking into available grants and benefits. There are special financial perks out there for students with kids. Don’t just look into federal grants – there may also be grants offered by your state as well as the individual college that you’re planning to study at. It’s possible to apply to multiple grants at once, giving you lots of funding that you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Get support from other people
You may be able to encourage a partner or family member to babysit whilst you study. This could allow you to fully focus on your studies rather than having your studies interrupted. Alternatively, you could look into hiring a babysitter to look after your infant as you study. You don’t have to rely on other people (you could study whilst your baby is asleep or attempt to study when they’re in a playpen), but you could find that you’re always a little distracted when studying with them around.
Set a schedule
Rather than grabbing study time when you can, try to keep to a study schedule. This will ensure that you’re getting a set amount of study time in each week. Having a regular schedule also makes it easier to arrange a babysitter on a regular basis. Try to find a schedule that works best for you – if you find that you’re able to study better in the mornings, try to arrange your schedule for the morning.
Choose the right environment
You should also think about where you choose to study. Even if someone is looking after your little one, you may find it distracting studying in the same room, particularly if they are at the stage where they’re crawling. Find a separate room that you can escape to and study in peace. You could even find somewhere out of the house to study – libraries and coffee bars are two popular examples of places to study.
