How I Juggle School And Being a Single Mom

Being a single parent comes with many trials and tribulations.  I am a single mom with three children.  I have two boys and one girl. And as a student, going down this road can be a difficult journey. But with willpower and perseverance, you can make your dreams come true. I am currently pursing my both my two year degree in health information technology at U.S. Career Institute and also pursuing my PhD in psychology at another university.  Here are some things that I do that I hope are helpful for you in making life simpler:

• Manage your time
• Delegate your responsibilities
• Avoid negative people/situations
• Take some time outfor yourself

The first tip is to manage your time.  I feel that in order to be an effective student with added responsibilities, you must be a good manager of your time.  Oftentimes it can be so easy to get off course and to go into a tangent.  I find that managing my time more wisely helps to avoid getting off task.  When I first start my day, I try to write a to do list on my calendar of things I have to do.   It is also a good idea to write a schedule and start a daily routine for yourself.

Another tip is to delegate your responsibilities.  Being the sole provider can come at a price and that is having everyone depending on you for support.  But the question is, where is your support?  This is when you have to learn how to manage your household to the point where is run efficiently.  For instance, I may assign some of the house chores for my older children, such as washing dishes and folding cloths, so I can have some time to work on my studies.

The third tip is to avoid negative people.  Negative people create nothing but drama and hardship into your life.  It is hard enough having to raise children alone but having extra burdens such an abusive partner, freeloaders, and leeches on your back that can bring you down.  Negative people can be friends, partners, and even other family members.   If these negative individuals are not supportive of you, then you may need to see if they are worth being a part of your inner circle.  That is why it is important to surround yourself with positive people.

Next is to take time out for yourself.  When was the last time you took a mental break or did some self-pampering? You can pamper yourself with simple things like taking a long warm bubble bath or getting your hair and nails done.  Every now and then it is good to just take some time out to clear your mind, especially when you are feeling a lot of stress.  Sometimes I meditate to clear my head for a few minutes and this alone makes a world of difference.

These are some of the things that I do to help stay focused and motivated. Being a single parent and going to school is not easy, but it’s not impossible. Envisioning my bright future is what inspires me to keep on pursuing my dreams. Just like I am doing it, so can you!