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Business degree for single parents: tips for going back to school

Finding time for yourself while going back to school to achieve a business degree as a single parent isn't as hard as you might think.

Schools that offer business degree programs for single parents know that you have limited time at your disposal. These schools give you more time to work on your degree, allowing you to take classes at night and from home.

When you become a business major, you need to sit down and create a schedule for yourself. Your professor should give you a syllabus, which details the upcoming projects and papers due for that class. Enter each project into a planner and write down when you need to work on other assignments. Depending on that schedule, you might need to schedule childcare to give yourself time to work on homework and projects without the kids running around. You can also take business classes online, which let you study and work on assignments from home. You can work while your kids take naps or when they go to sleep for the night. 

Another helpful tip when you work on a business degree for single parents is to find a support network. You need people who will act as your personal cheerleaders. This might be friends who volunteer to babysit your kids, or it might be loved ones who help you with advanced assignments. If you attend a school nearby, look for single-parent groups. These groups feature other single parents also attending school, and you can easily find support for parents through these groups. As a single parent, it's important that you have someone to talk with about the issues that affect you at home and school.

Before you look at business programs, you need to sit your kids down and talk to them. Now is the time to let them know that you want to go back to school, and you can explain that becoming business college graduate will benefit everyone in the family. Your kids need to understand that some things will change when you start work on your business degree. You might need someone else to pick them up from school, or you might not have time to make dinner as often as you did before. Explain to your kids that business school is something you want to do and that they'll still receive the encouragement, love and support that they need from you. 

The decision to enter school isn't one you should take lightly.  Some schools offer a business degree for single parents that gives you a little more leeway than other programs, helping you finish your degree as you raise your kids.  Do your research to determine the best path for your future business degree.

Photo Credit: Éole Wind via Compfight CC.