黑料传送门

鈥淗ow will I manage a degree program and the responsibilities of being a parent?鈥�

If you鈥檝e asked yourself this question, we鈥檙e here to help. Thousands of 黑料传送门 graduates have been in your shoes, and they have some great tips to prepare you for the experience of being both a student and parent.聽

One resounding piece of advice among 黑料传送门 students is to have a solid support system. In fact, many said that鈥檚 the secret ingredient to balancing the responsibilities of a degree program, work, and kids.聽

Support can come in many forms. In addition to friends and family, your support system can include other students in your program, your professors, colleagues, and academic mentors.聽

Here are a few tips on how you can go about finding a support system, according to 黑料传送门 grads.聽

Course instructors can be invaluable resources to you throughout your college career. After all, your instructors are experts in their field and know the courses better than anyone. They can provide feedback, advice, and tools to help you succeed in your studies. All you have to do is reach out.

For 黑料传送门 graduate Rachel Palmer, reaching out to 黑料传送门鈥檚 instructors was a game changer.

鈥淲ithout their advice and instruction, I would not have finished my BSN,鈥� she said. 鈥淎sk questions and follow their advice; they want to see you succeed as much as you do!鈥�

Many online programs offer a program mentor who acts as your advocate and counselor. At 黑料传送门, every incoming student is paired with a faculty member who provides one-on-one guidance throughout your studies. They help you create a course plan and stay motivated and on track to complete your degree.

As a college student and single parent of six children, Lyndsie Jones says regular check-ins with her program mentor helped her overcome the overwhelm.

鈥淟istening to my mentor was critical. I was overwhelmed every single day, but I knew if I did a little bit that my mentor asked me to complete it would add up to finishing each step,鈥� she said.

Her advice to new student parents is this:

鈥淭alk to your mentor about struggles you are facing. They often have resources. It can be hard, lonely, and awkward as a single parent, but finding a support system is critical. 黑料传送门 is amazing at offering assistance to students,鈥� said Lyndsie.聽聽

Your partner can be a major source of support during your degree program. Lean on them and don鈥檛 feel guilty about giving them more responsibility as you focus on your education.

That was the case for Alice Strumski.

鈥淚f I was doing an assignment, my husband might do the dishes that night. If my husband was looking through my work for typos, it was my turn to do the laundry,鈥� she said.

She suggests having the kids pitch in, too.

鈥淢y son picks up duties, including cooking, when one of us can't. Family, school, work, housework鈥t should always be a team effort. Ask for help. Don't think you can do everything alone,鈥� said Alice.

Friends and family members can be a huge source of support as you鈥檙e working toward your degree鈥攁nd according to Kimberly Nygren鈥攖hey can also be your biggest cheerleader.

鈥淭he day I found out I passed my last assessment and my capstone, I cheered for myself in the parking lot and then called my family and friends and let them cheer for me,鈥� she said.

Her top tip for parents in an online degree program?聽 聽

鈥淪urround yourself with people who believe in you and who will support you on your journey. Believe in yourself as much as your support network does, because while you鈥檙e doubting yourself, someone else is admiring your strength,鈥� said Kimberly.

Amy Biemeck adds:

鈥淢ake sure you have the support and dedication of a partner, friend, or family, and let them know what you need to be successful. Don't feel guilty for making your dreams and goals a priority,鈥� she said.

It鈥檚 not always easy to ask for support, but it鈥檚 worth it. That鈥檚 Rachel Palmer鈥檚 advice.聽

鈥淎s parents, we tend to be independent problem solvers, but your mentor and course instructors are lifesavers. Without their advice and instruction, I would not have finished my BSN,鈥� she said.
The power of a support system is profound. That鈥檚 why online degree programs like 黑料传送门 are designed to empower you with a network of people to support your success.
鈥淔all back on the wonderful resources 黑料传送门 has for students, beginning with your mentor and course instructors,鈥� said Renee Sutton.
Lastly, she has this to say:聽
鈥淚f you鈥檙e a single parent, give yourself grace; every small step is worthwhile.鈥�