Pros and Cons of Being a Student AND Mom

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and have a talk with my 19 year old self. I would have some choice words for that girl: the one who didn’t take college seriously, who didn’t value the opportunity and who wasted plenty of time and money. Back then, I did not know what I wanted to do when I grew up. I took all these classes, but nothing stuck with me. I preferred to sleep in and blow off class rather than focus on my education.

At 33, I am still a year and a half away from earning a Bachelor’s degree. I have several college credits from different schools, but since not everything transfers, I nearly started over when I returned to school. Having to study and go to class on top of managing a house and three kids is not easy. It is definitely possible, but it takes effort. When people find out I am a student mom, they often ask me how I do it. Truthfully, I don’t know. I do it because I have to. It’s not all bad, either.  There are some great advantages and clear disadvantages of being an adult student.

Pros: 

  • You are an adult. You do not take your education for granted; you understand much more than you did 10 years ago, both in material and concepts.
  • Your parents are not paying for your education. Being financially responsible for your education means you work hard to get the most out of the experience.
  • There is almost always free food at school.
  • Some of the teachers are your age. It’s nice because they understand the unique challenges an adult student faces.

Cons:

  • You are an adult. To many of your classmates, you will be the “old” one.
  • Your parents are not paying for it. You are.
  • The free food is usually fattening, and you do not have a 20 year old’s metabolism.
  • Some of the professors are your age, which serves as a reminder that had you done this straight out of high school, you could be a professor now instead of a student.
  • Your kids do this to your notebook:
my kid ate my homework

No matter the challenges I face, I would rather be getting my degree in my thirties than not getting it at all. And to be honest, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But that’s okay. To the moms thinking of going back to college, I would encourage you to go for it. Expanding your education is something you will never regret.

If you are an adult student, what advice do you have for someone considering it?

Myndee
Myndee is a 35ish year old New Orleans area native. She's an author, speaker and self-love advocate. As an introverted extrovert, Myndee loves being part of the generation where most of her friends live in her computer. She and her husband, Luis, live just outside the city with their three kids.

5 COMMENTS

  1. my advice? take as many online classes as you can. most schools have a distance learning program, and you can take many of your required classes that way. I’m in my 3rd semester and have done everything online so far. It was the only way I was able to get back into school – with a newborn and a toddler that were at home with me I didn’t really have the option of classes at school.

    Look for childcare grants, if you qualify. I was able to put my little guys in daycare and now I can pursue classes at the college to finish my degree

  2. I love your attitude towards school. You are setting a great example for your children! I’m a full-time student myself, and it is so hard. But you’re right – nothing beats expanding your education.

  3. I am in the same boat. I am 32 and trying to go back to college for my education. I have 2 and a half years left. Oh, and I have four kids. Come visit my blog sometime if you have some extra time? Lol. Thanks for the reminder of how important it is to keep going. 🙂

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