By Leslie Campos, Contributor

(Image courtesy of Pexels)

For stay-at-home parents, the thought of going back to school can be both exciting and overwhelming. However, with a few tips and tricks, you can make the transition from stay-at-home parent to student a lot easier. To help, Candid Life Journeys has compiled some of our favorite tips for stay-at-home parents looking to go back to school.

Consider an Online Degree

Online degree programs are a great option for stay-at-home parents who want to go back to school. This deserves a look if you’re searching for the flexibility of being able to study from home and take classes at your own pace, without having to disrupt your current lifestyle. Many online courses also offer specializations in various fields, like accounting, allowing you to focus on your desired area of expertise.

Furthermore, a few universities offer discounted tuition rates or credits for students participating in distance learning, making college more accessible and affordable.

Establish Childcare

One of the biggest challenges of being a stay-at-home parent and student is finding childcare that fits into your new schedule. You can look into daycare centers and babysitting services in your area, or consider hiring a nanny or au pair.

If you’re able to afford it, having someone come over during the day while you’re taking classes or studying can give you peace of mind so that you don’t have to worry about leaving your children alone while you’re away. If paid help isn’t an option, see if you can get help from friends or family.

Work with Your Partner

If you have an understanding partner, they might be able to take on more responsibilities during this transition period. Talk with your partner about what needs to be done in order for both of you to succeed. This could include adjusting your usual roles at home so one person takes care of the kids while the other focuses on school or work outside of the home. Make sure each person knows their role and responsibilities before taking on anything new.

Create a Distraction-Free Workspace

It can be hard to focus when there are people, pets, and/or kids running around all day. To ensure maximum productivity when studying at home, create a workspace free from distractions such as phones, TVs, video games, etc. This will help give you an environment where it’s easy for you to concentrate and get work done without interruption. If possible, find a room in your house (or even just clear out a corner) where everything can be set up in advance so it’s always ready whenever you need it.

Create a New Resume

Once your program is complete and it’s time to apply for jobs, an updated resume is key to catching an employer’s eye. To make the process easier, try utilizing a free online resume template. You can choose from a library of professionally designed resume templates and add your own copy, photos, colors, and images to customize it. A template tool takes some of the guesswork out of updating a resume, which can be especially helpful if you’ve been out of the workforce for a little while.

When you’re done, save it as a PDF. Most employers require you to submit your resume in this file format because it is stable and the format will not change once uploaded. You can use this free online tool to change file formats quickly and easily.

Find Strategies for Pursuing Your Goals

Going back to school as a stay-at-home parent can be a challenge, but it is achievable with proper planning and preparation. From finding quality child care solutions that fit within your budget to finalizing the job application process, following the right steps can make transitioning back into academia much smoother. Taking the time to research options and sources of assistance available can help ensure success on your path back to school.