I am thinking about going back to college this fall and I have to say I am so torn about this decision.

When I quit my job in Sept 2007 I said I wanted to finish up my degree during my time off. I know I'll never have the chance again and I do not want to return to the same type of career (secretarial/administrative) when I go back to work.

I have enjoyed just focusing on Olivia the last few months but now it is time for me to get started. Olivia will be 19 Months old in August and I think she would be okay going to Mom's Day Out two mornings every week while I attend classes. I was thinking about trying to take two on campus classes and two online classes.

I am just very nervous about trying to handle everything and just wondered if anyone offer some good advice.

Way to go LivisMom! It sounds like you've got a good plan so far.

I think it's great that you are doing something for yourself. I think sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves and do things that will make us feel good.

Go for it, LivisMom! I went back to school (a 3-year full-time program) when my first child was 7 months old, and it was surprisingly smooth. Granted, there were bumps in the road (like when he had his first ever fever the night before my first final exam), but overall I was surprised to find that I was better at time management and prioritizing tasks than many of my younger classmates. My husband kept the baby some and then we also had babysitters. I found the school schedule much easier to handle and juggle than a work schedule.
Good luck and I say if you can do it, go for it now while you can!

I say go for it LivisMom and Good Luck!

Go for it! I'm sure you'll do great!

LivisMom,

I just wrote an entire post, and then I thought, "oh, what if she thinks I am just being overly negative!" and I deleted it. Then I realized that you asked for advice, and for what it is worth I thought I would share my experiences, after all. I hope that they are helpful and not negative.

First, like LawMommy, I am a full-time graduate student with a little one at home. It definitely changes the experience of school! One big consideration is that while I used to rush home at every possible chance, I have found that with a tiny one, I actually work much better on campus than at home nowadays. Even when all I have to do is read, there are no distractions on campus -- or at least, they are different kinds of distractions! So, for example, if I stick around on campus between classes, I don't have to worry about losing the time because my daughter, who should be napping, has decided against it for the day; or because I decide to throw in that extra load of laundry; or because I end up changing a diaper, talking on the phone, making lunch, or even just succumbing to my own laziness and collapsing on the couch. So, for what it is worth, you might want to build in a little extra campus time, even though you don't really think you'll need it right away.

And I am not sure how much experience you have with online classes, but I have both taken them and taught them, so this advice is from experience as well: you should treat an online class as a brick-and-mortar class. By that, I mean, block out a schedule when you'll do your classwork and go online; put the computer in a room where you can go in, close the door, and focus on school; and give yourself mini-due-dates if the class itself doesn't. It is very easy -- both as teacher and student -- to put off an online class and find yourself staring down 10 weeks of work that you have to do in a weekend! A good online class will probably not let you do that, but the more freedom the class gives you, the easier it is to fall into that pit. This is a lesson I have learned the hard way -- to my great dismay!

Anyway, I hope that my two cents isn't coming off as demeaning. I just thought I would share a little bit of my own experiences, and hopefully you might be able to benefit from my mistakes!

Good luck to you -- I wish you all the very best!!

LivisMom,

First of all, good for you!! Go for it!

This topic is very fresh on my mind, as I just finished my program last Thursday!!! I went back to school four years ago, and got pregnant in my 3rd year. So much of it depends on the nature of your program. I was in a pretty intense PhD program which entailed some very heavy research and writing requirements. These requirements made time management strategies necessary. To be honest, I struggled a lot because I was committed to being home with Ben while finishing my program. I was able to do it first and foremost because I had an incredible support network of my husband, parents, and inlaws. They helped with Ben a lot. But I, like BostonGirl, also found ways to be productive
away from home so I could be fully committed to Ben when I was home.

My other bit of advice is to ease into it. Maybe take a couple light classes your first semester to allow yourself and your family a bit of adjustment time.

Like BostonGirl, I've also taken and taught a few online classes. I think they are great for busy people, especially busy moms! But, you really have to be disciplined!

I don't mean to sound discouraging. I absolutely know you can do it! The key really is time management. You can acheive anything you are willing to fully commit to! Whenever things got tough for me, I would always remind myself that I was doing it for my family. If an education is something that is important to you, you will be SOOOOO glad you went back and finished!

Good luck!!

Go for it, girl! That's so great.
I've thought about going back for my doctorate but I want another child soon and it's just not good timing for us right now. So maybe down the road a bit. We'll see.
It sounds like you are ready to go and it's the right time for you! Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks girls for all the honest advice. It was exactly what I needed to hear. At the current time I am going to take 1-2 classes per semester. I know it will take alot of time only going part time but that is what works best for us right now and I don't plan on going back to work for a while.

Yes - please, take it slow. In one year I started a new job (teaching) and had to go back to school at night 2 nights a week to obtain a certification and I had, at the time, a 2yr old and 5yr old. Hubby, by the way, is a truck driver so I have the girls solo M-F. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I am about to submit my final portfolio of work for completion of this 2 year program so all I have to do this coming school year is teach and be mommy! Haleleiuah !!!! I won't know how to act!

Congrats, GHM!! That's great!

Well I went and took my admissions placement test today. I am going to take classes at the local community college this fall and I had to take the Math placement test again since it had been nearly 10 years since I had taken it. WOW were my skills rusty, but I did place at the level I wanted so I was pleased. Now I just have to schedule a time to meet with my advisor and pick out classes. I have a good variety of classes to choose from for my online class and I have one evening class (meets once a week for 3 hours) that I am going to take. I am really excited about taking the on-campus class and getting out of the house, lol.

Go for it! I am still in school, and while graduate in December. Since you have a LO check into getting Pell Grants...they greatly help to defray the costs. It is hard at first, but you can do it. If you need anything let me know.

That's great, Livismom!!! Good luck!