by Christina Couch
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1 - The Kid Factor
Anyone who's heard the pitter-patter of little feet knows that parenting is the most time-consuming, life-changing, endless, thankless, selfless job on earth. But that didn't stop Beth Marshall, a full-time mortgage closer and mother of four from somehow squeezing an online bachelor's degree in business administration from Strayer University (Newport News, VA) in between soccer practices, dance classes, and family dinners. Kicking her day off at 8 a.m. and heading to bed at 2 a.m., Marshall says she's tired, but committed to becoming a better educated person. "I have no regrets about going to school because everything that I learn, I utilize it in my work," she says. "I'm going to pursue my master's after I graduate."
Donald Asher, author of "How to Get Any Job With Any Major" (Ten Speed Press), says that parents who return to the classroom need to restructure their home lives in order to be successful students. "They're going to have to re-train their family," Asher comments. "They're going to have to get their family to leave them alone and set aside time to study." Delegating responsibilities at home is exactly what gave Beth the ability to jump back into the classroom. Each of her kids takes care of their own school responsibilities, while her fiancée handles the cooking and pitches in at home.
2 -The Job Factor
Tack an extra five to 10 hours of work onto an already hectic week? Are you nuts? For working professionals who clock in from 9 to 5, the thought of wrapping up a long day at the office only to log in more hours in front of a computer screen seems about as appealing as a root canal, however, Kim Pivirotto insists it's not that bad. A criminal justice major, Kim balances a full-time internship with Naval Criminal Investigative Services in Washington D.C. with online classes at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (Lowell, MA). "I work until about 5:00 and go home and log online on my own time," she says. "I usually try to work on the weekends, but I have a social life, too."
Students like Kim and Beth make coursework a priority and devote what little free time they have to catching up on assignments or getting ahead for the next week. Both use breaks in their workdays as well as weekend hours to lighten the stress of school.
"I go online every day, even if it's just for five minutes," Beth says. "On Saturdays, I'm at my kids' games and I bring my homework with me . at lunch time, I read over my material, that way it's easier when I come home from work."
3 - The Financial Factor
Time may not be the only thing blocking your educational path. For many students, returning to the classroom boils down to one factor: greenbacks. Although spending for an extra credential will cost you in the short term, this is one sure-fire investment that's guaranteed to pay off. CNN reports that those holding a bachelor's degree can expect to earn, on average, $900,000 more over the course of a lifetime than those armed with just a high school diploma; students who make it to the master's level earn a walloping $1.3 million more than their high school counterparts. If visions of a big pile of cash aren't enough to motivate you, perhaps the thought of losing your current job will.
"It used to be doctors and research scientists that faced the challenge of lifelong learning, but now all of us do," Asher says. "In order to remain competitive, you have to embrace it. If you fight it, you'll be left by the wayside."
Before you get stressed out, remember that online learning scholarships, student loans, and tuition reimbursement programs will help you find the capital you need to get back in the books. Ask your employer and the schools to which you'll be applying about the types of financial aid available for your educational endeavor.
4 - The Friend Factor
Chances are, your social life is stretched thin as it is. In between work and family responsibilities, there's never enough time to have a relaxing meal or take in a movie with friends, much less go out of your way to make new friends.
Laura Roberts, a master's student in the low-residency contemplative education program at Naropa University (Boulder, CO), was surprised to find that in her program, making friends and earning a degree didn't conflict. Having completed her undergraduate coursework at Bank Street College of Education, a brick-and-mortar campus in New York, Laura discovered that she connected with both professors and students just as well in an online format.
"The classes are so engaging and so involved in this odd way I never would have predicted," she explains. " I was closer to the instructors [at Naropa] than I was at Bank Street. The human element is almost inherent in the classroom discussion because people are sharing their personal experiences. It was very revealing."
To connect with your classmates, check out online programs that incorporate live chat rooms and group study projects into the curriculum. Also, ask your admissions officer about what on-campus programs you're eligible for, and whether professors hold virtual office hours when they'll be available to answer questions.
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