How can a stay at home mom go back to school?

Question

I've been looking into going back to school for a while now, but I just don't have the nerve to do it. My husband is the bread winner in our family and if I went back to school, I don't want to have to work on top of being a mom and a wife. I have applied for a pell grant, but I haven't heard back about it yet. I still don't know what exactly what I want to do anyway. I guess the basic classes are what scare me the most. Going in to math class and taking tests and all of that. Does anyone have any words of encouragement or any advice for me?

I've always wanted to go to law school, but I don't think that I can do that now. I live in a college town, Auburn, and I was also thinking about a psychology degree.

If you do online classes do you have to have your basic classes taken? or can you sign up and get a degree with out your basics?

Answer 1

I'd telephone Auburn, explain all and make an appointment to see whoever seems appropriate - likely an admissions counselor. Many schools now offer a mix of class/internet/correspondence instruction, and you have a great advantage if you can arrange something with Auburn. Couple of advantages really. It is a respected and reputable school. It is right next door (sort of) so you have access to all the services and facilities any student has. Go for it girl!

Answer 2

We are almost in the same boat. In Aug. I enrolled into school. I was soooo scared. I am a mother of two and work nights and Kohls and waitress on the weekends. My husband works during the day. I am 24 years old. My oldest child goes to school during the day and my youngest I had to put in daycare which was something I was not looking forward to. But I found a good daycare and he loves it there. I start school on Jan. 8th and I am very nervous, but excited to. But you will most likely get your Pell Grant. And then you will have to take some loans out. Your school should help you every step of the way. They will send you a paper called SARS and this is just to make sure all of your information is correcet. Then after a whole that woll send you an award letter and it tells you what kind of grants you will get and you will need to either accept or decline your awards. Also have you took your ACTs? If not you will need to take the COMPASS test. You will also want and need to go to orientation and they will answer any of your questions there. I am studing to be a nurse and all of my classes are the basic ones. College Algebra, Intro to Art, Writing and Public Speaking. You will meet with an advisor and they will help you with all of this. CONGRATS!!! I am scared to but it is to better ourselves!!!! You are doing a wonderful thing if you would like to know anything else you can e-mail me @ [e-mail]

Answer 3

I'm a stay-at-home, home-schooling mother of 2. I went "back to school" a couple years ago. I've completed 15 of the 60 units required for a 2-year degree. I'm currently enrolled for the Spr 07 semester, which starts in a couple weeks - I have a load of 13 units, which may prove to be tooooooo many...

Anyway - you have to figure out WHY you're going to school. Do you want to get degree? Just take a class to learn about a subject of interest? Maybe you just would enjoy a few hours a week outside the home? Is your husband going to be supportive of the time you will need to devote to classes & studying? Is there enough money in the budget to pay for classes? (books are expensive)...Good luck with the pell grant...I didn't qualify :(

Lots of things to think about, but it is do-able & for me it has been wonderful. It's just taken too long. SO, I've gotten serious this time & am taking the 13 units I mentioned. I will be able to have my degree & graduate in Dec 08 on my current schedule/plan...

Talk to your husband (and your kids if they're old enough to give input)...Take it slow; maybe take one class your first semester.

have fun!!!

Answer 4

You can take out loans as well or go one class at a time. Also, you could go at night to be home with the baby. Do not worry about the math and all that. Worry about going back first then worry about one class at a time. Worry about the math when you are taking the math. Most schools have tutoring centers and stuff. Also, my best advice is to get a job in something that will get you a career after wards. With Psychology you will have to get a master's as well. Not that that is bad, but remember, it is more time. The reason you want a career is to pay off the loans after you get out of school. I know loans seem scary, but in the end it is worth it. If you have good credit and are good at paying your bills i would suggest this. Good luck in your endeavors.

Answer 5

Sign up for a class, one class, something you like. I'm a SAHM and went back after my first was a year old. I took a couple semesters off to have my second and now I'm back again. Because of hubby's schedule I can only take one night class a week right now, but I'm working toward my goal, It gives me something that is just mine and a sense of accomplishment. Each class I take gives me more confidence for the next. It really saves my sanity. As the kids get older I hope to take more classes. This semester I'm taking Biology. Night school is nice because you get a more diverse group of people. I don't feel like "the old one" and there have always been other moms in my classes. Hope you do it. Good luck.

Answer 6

I'm in the same boat as you. Stay at home Mommy who is starting to go back to school after a long hiastus.

I just took one class last semester and was able to work it around my guy's schedule as it was an evening class. Next semester I am just going to take one class at the college (that meets one day a week for 3 hours) and then the rest I'm going to be taking online. Online or distance learning is a great option if your University offers it. Check with a couselor.

Oh! And I completely understand about the Math classes. I think I'm going to save those for last if I can at all help it. :o)

Best wishes.

Answer 7

Bravo for you! I'm so proud of you to make this choice. As a stay-at-home mom myself I know what a full-time job it is to raise kids much less take on this new adventure. I'm a little sad by your thought that it's too late for you to go to law school though. I read about a doctor in People magazine who offers his services for free. He went back to school and became a doctor in his 50's because he wanted to help others in this way and that's what he felt he was called to do. If you feel the calling to be a lawyer then God will find a way for you to do it. All you need is a positive attitude and a willingness to try. It seems you already have that pretty much licked. On line courses are available in almost every career under the sun. Do some research and proceed from there! God bless you in your journey!

Answer 8

I'm in your place exactly. I'm starting college January 15th. I'm pretty proud and you will be too. You can go all the way through your semester without info back from your pell grant as long as you hear something by next semester. The money goes straight to the school. also, math scares the daylights out of me. If I can do it you can do it. Good luck to you. Wish me luck. If you try hard enough you shouldn't have to work. Just be careful with your scheduling. You can do it!!

Answer 9

I chose to go to University of Phoenix Online and I LOVE IT- I picked a business degree to work on and it is already set up with everything you will need to make your goal. They have *many* other degrees of too, of course. No need for "basic" classes, the classes you take are all geared toward your degree, so if you choose a math major, then sure you will have math, lol. Anyway I really really recomend it, if you have any questions about who to call just contact me through e-mail, [e-mail]

Answer 10

Do it online most local colleges to you will have online classes and as baby gets older then you can transition into the classroom. I am doing just that but backwards i went to class and being a mom and wife i found it better to just do my classes online so now im a full time student online you make your schedule and you decide when you have time and when its the right time to do work.