Going Back to School and Raising a Family: You Can Do It!

As a parent, there’s nothing you want more than to give your children the world. From the moment they’re born, you think about what they need, want, and how to provide it for them. If you’re not in a well-paying career, thoughts often turn to the prospect of going back to school. Turning that thought into action is smart because the right career education puts you on track for employment in fields where demand is high and income is sustainable – but is it possible while caring for and bringing up young ones?

With ASPIRA City College, the answer is yes. We offer on-campus and online learning with day and evening schedule options for all our programs. What’s more, with our career-focused programs, students don’t have liberal arts and elective requirements to meet. That decreases the spent time in school and accelerates the timeline for graduation. Here’s a closer look at how you can balance student responsibilities and family life with honest communication, the right planning, and resources available to ASPIRA City College students.

Maintain Open Lines of Communication

From the time you’re considering career training to when you prepare for final exams, open communication with your entire family is a priority. Be transparent about the reasons you want to return to school, how it will bring value to the family, and concerns you have, as well as how responsibilities will have to shift temporarily to make it possible. The conversation’s goal is to make it a family decision, so everyone from the grandparents, aunts, and uncles to the youngest children should participate. With everyone in your household and the extended family on the same page, your loved ones will know what you need and how to support you navigating the balance between schoolwork and family life.

When adults raising families return to college and graduate, by example, they show their children the value of good communication, teamwork, persistence, working toward a goal, education, and accomplishment. That show of what it takes to succeed makes the children aspire for more and believe they can accomplish it because you did.

Develop a Balanced Routine

Time management is everything when it comes to going to school, especially while working, raising a family, or both. First, consider whether attending online or on-campus is best. At ASPIRA City College, we offer on-campus and live online instructor-led classes with three schedule options for our Web Design, Medical Secretary, and Computer Support Specialist students, including:

Fast Track Day

Students attend classes every Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It has shorter breaks between semesters so students can graduate sooner and get to work faster.

Traditional Day

Like the Fast Track Day schedule, students attend classes every Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The big difference is that with the Traditional Day schedule, our students have the summer off. It takes a bit longer to complete the program, but it’s ideal for parents with school-aged children home for the summer months.

Evening

If the help you muster is limited to the evening, and meals, baths, and bedtime are covered, you’ll have it made with the Evening schedule. Classes are held on Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. You can work during the day, do household chores, and participate in your kids’ summer fun.

Ready to start one of our career programs? Delegate tasks, plan your time wisely, and find a dedicated workspace in your home for schoolwork. Pencil in time for family meals, movies, and games, but commit to sticking to your study times and class schedule to keep attendance in good standing and make meeting deadlines a priority. By finding the right balance, you can maintain a healthy family life, excel in the classroom, and advance to a brighter future for yourself and your family – it’s worth it!

At ASPIRA City College – You and Your Family Matter

Finally, please take advantage of the helpful resources, such as access to our 24/7 digital library, advising, and subject tutoring, ready for you at ASPIRA City College. Our faculty and staff are committed to your education and preparing every student for gainful employment with sustainable incomes in high-demand careers. Remember to keep what you want to accomplish for yourself and your family square in mind at the time. It’s your reason for putting in the effort, and that effort and commitment will pay off. To learn more, contact ASPIRA City College today.