by Tammy Bartholomew

Created on: December 12, 2008   Last Updated: December 30, 2008

Are you a single mom that would like to further your education by going back to college? If you answered yes then you have reached the first step in changing your life and the lives of your children. We are called the non traditional student, meaning we are not fresh out of high school or we are the head of our house hold which means we must work full-time jobs in order to provide for our families. We are women in various age groups that have a family to provide for without the help of a man inside the home, and often with out the help of our children's fathers.

Twenty years ago, it was extremely difficult for a single mother to go to college. True enough, it is not an easy task now, but it is not impossible. If you have made up your mind and you are seruiys about going to college then you are already showing signs of motivation. Being a single mother myself, I started school in 2005, worked full-time, and graduated in May 2008. I was determined that I was going to get a degree. It's definitely a challenge, but there are so many opportunities for single moms now that weren't available when I had my first daughter at the age of seventeen. Just remember to pace yourself, do not think that you have to take a full load of classes every semester. It's better to take 3-4 classes per semester so you do not burn yourself out. Start checking on Grants and student loans that will help you financially to pay for expenses while you're in school. Don't give up on your dreams, when it feels like you can not go any longer, then toughen up because it is worth it when you're done.

I continuously told myself;" it's going to be worth it" I tried to remember what I was fighting for and gradually I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. In the long run you will be able to land a job with a better salary than you would without a degree. Don't think about the big picture, instead concentrate on only one semester at a time. I will start working on my BA in August 2009. I am taking a year off from school because my daughter is having a baby. When I start back to school I will be a single Mother/Grandmother, which is a perfect example to those who think it may be to late for them to go back to college. If you have a desire, then never give up, fight for it and watch it happen. Another avenue that I found very beneficial for my work schedule was online classes. Online classes allow you to take your classes in the comfort of you own home which enables you to be with your children so you don't have to worry about finding a sitter or childcare expenses while going to college. Once you start school, you have to realize there will be struggles that will cross your path, be prepared, stay focused and you will find that through self motivation, you will be able to complete any task in life that you set your mind on.

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