Education
How to Change Your Life and Change the World: Four Reasons Single Moms Should Go Back to School
Guest Blogger: Harper Mac
As a single mom, late nights and hard work are already second nature. Why not use your experience braving these tough circumstances to work toward getting the education you’ve always dreamed of? I know what you’re thinking: “I’m already so busy as it is; how will I ever find time to go to school and be a mom?” Like anything worthwhile in life, it’s not going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.
With the help of friends, family, and loved ones, you can improve your education and improve the lives of you and your children by making the decision to go back to school. For a little more encouragement to make your dreams come true, check out the following top four reasons to take your education to the next level.
1. Developing a Trade
Have you ever just wanted to be an expert at something or use your talents in a way that will improve the world? Learning what you love is important, but you also want to make sure that the real world application of your degree will be one that will satisfy you for years working in this field. A degree in business management is one example of a great educational path for someone who has an affinity for marketing, finance, and human resources, but who may want to apply these skills in a wide range of different industries. Degrees like this are versatile and could give you the opportunity to work in several different fields.
2. Gaining Financial Security
Student loans or not, pretty much everyone has to deal with debt at some point in their lives. However, if you want to reduce long-term debt and ultimately gain financial security, going to school is one of the best investments you can make. Having a degree makes you a more valuable candidate for hiring managers in your field, which is often rewarded with a higher-paying job. Taking care of young children certainly isn’t cheap, so having financial security helps you be a better mom in the long run.
3. Breaking Out of a Rut
Maybe you have a decent job now, but just feel like it’s not really going anywhere. Or maybe you just feel bored or unchallenged by your life as it is now. School can be a great solution for breaking out of a rut because it gives you a new outlet for meeting friends, growing intellectually and ultimately arming you with the tools you need to start a new path in life. People go back to school at all different ages and for all different reasons these days, so remember that it’s never too late to try something new by furthering your education.
4. Because You Can
Going back to school is more accessible than ever, so “just because you can” is reason enough to enroll now. Many colleges and universities offer programs aimed specifically at non-traditional students, thus making it easier for single moms to balance responsibilities at home with those at school. These programs include night classes, online classes, and even daycare centers available to help you manage these two important aspects of your life. There are also several scholarship programs available to help single moms pay for returning to school, so going back to school doesn’t even have to be a financial burden for students like you.
When you’re a single mom, changing your life doesn’t only affect you, but the beautiful children you brought into the world as well. Going back to school means giving those children the opportunity to have a better life both now and in the future. With so many opportunities available, you can make the commitment to improving your life and becoming the person you want to be with an education you can be proud of.
About the Author
Lindsey Harper Mac is a writer and editor living in Indianapolis. She specializes in writing about education, social media and technology.
