Online College Guide for Mothers

Before you had the chance to go to college, or finish your degree, you fell in love, settled down, and started a family. The wild and lofty dreams of your youth have been replaced. You now dream of days with no diapers, shirts without spit up stains, and pockets free from snotty tissues. You are a mother now, and your kids are your life. Anything you pursue now must accommodate them.

Recently, you have discovered a way to have the best of both worlds. The possibility of online college has rekindled some of those sparks from years gone by. Maybe this is your ticket; be there for your kids every day, and finish your degree. For some that sounds too good to be true, but you've done your homework so you know that's not true. With more and more colleges offering their courses online, you now could complete almost any degree with clicks of your mouse.

As a mother currently pursuing a degree online, I'd like to share some tips with you before you jump into something you're not fully prepared for. For the most part, online college isn't much different than traditional college. However, the differences are there, and they could be the distinction between success and failure if you aren't ready for them. If you are seriously considering enrolling in an online college program, here's a list of the 7 most important things you should know before you start the process.

1. Make sure the college is accredited and respected.

Diploma mills are real, and they are out there waiting to scam you out of your hard earned money. You will receive a diploma with your chosen degree and your name on it. You may even spend precious time on studies to earn it. But, the piece of paper will be worth next to nothing in the work force.

There are legitimate colleges out there that aren't accredited as well. The courses they offer are usually less expensive than the ones offered by accredited colleges, and they may boast shorter completion times. However, the degree you receive won't be worth much more than one you could have gotten through a diploma mill; and you won't qualify for any federal money to help pay the costs.

To become accredited, colleges must set specific standards, follow certain rules, and report to the Department of Education. If the school you choose isn't accredited, your diploma could be worthless to you when all is said and done. The quickest way to find out if the college you are looking at is accredited is to go to the Department of Education's website.

2. Get all the financial aid possible.

As a mother, whether single or married, you should qualify for the Pell Grant, Federal Subsidized loans, and other financial aid as well. With the help of this federal money, and quite possible private grants and scholarships as well; you should be able to pay for your tuition, books, and internet service. You may even be able to purchase a new computer, necessary software, and other supplies needed to complete your degree. This is especially important if you are a single mother, or a family with a single income. You are looking to minimize your time requirement, so you definitely won't want to take on a second or third job to pay for college.

3. Consider child care.

Think realistically; if you can't answer the phone or do a load of laundry without a tornado ripping through your home you might want to think about hiring a babysitter or nanny. If this isn't an option, maybe you could work out something with a close friend or relative.

You may only need a couple hours a week, or as much as a few hours a couple days a week. Either way, you will need some uninterrupted time to work on projects, read necessary materials, complete research and assignments, and study for tests; just the same as you would if you attended a traditional college. Having an extra hand to help out with your kids will allow that needed time. Simply hoping that everything will work out itself is not realistic. Make sure you have options before your assignments are past due.

4. Know your options and do your research, find the right school and the right program for you.

It is important that you develop a plan and do everything you can to obtain the tools necessary for success. There are options out there to meet just about any student's needs. There are online colleges that offer condensed courses, where you can take one or two courses at a time, and complete you degree in a much shorter time period than traditional college. These courses usually run between 5 and 9 weeks, so it is imperative you are ready for that commitment.

There are synchronous online college programs in which you must log into your classroom on specific days of the week at specific times of the day. These are nice if you need to feel like a part of a classroom, everyone is there at the same time working on the same things. One drawback, however, is that you must meet these attendance requirements or drop the class. Another option is asynchronous online colleges where your attendance requirement is fulfilled on your time. You only have to log in a required number of days each week, you chose when.

Some online colleges include digital textbooks with tuition, while others require you to purchase printed materials. This greatly impacts the amount of financial aid money you will have left over for other supplies and necessities. Many online colleges also have ground campuses. This can be very helpful if you are pursuing a degree in health care, education, or a trade. The option of taking some of your classes at a ground campus will give you invaluable hands on experience in your chosen field. The point is, it's up to you to know what options are available. Your success may depend on the amount of effort you put into exploring those options. Find the school that fits your needs the best.

5. Involve your kids as much as possible.

As a mother, your kids are top priority. Returning to school provides a great opportunity for you to be a productive role model for your kids. Share your successes, your struggles, and your failures with them. They could become your greatest sounding boards and cheerleaders. Allowing your children to be a part of your educational journey will introduce them to the world of continuing education. It will give them a realistic view of what it takes to earn a degree.

When it comes to the kids, there's one time I have found to be a great asset: study time. Every college student needs to set aside time each week to study. Likewise, every school aged child needs some time for reading, homework, and studying. Why not block off an afternoon each week to bring these two together? If your kids are a bit older (middle to high school age) they may enjoy reading some of your textbooks or helping you with a project. Who knows, maybe they will end up taking some classes together.

6. Link into the cyber world.

You will be pursuing your degree online, so take full advantage of other tools and resources available to you online. Your school will most likely have a tutoring program and library at your disposal. You may find, however, that the school's resources aren't enough. There are also other online libraries and tutoring programs waiting to help you succeed. Search the web to find the tools you need.

7. Budget your time as if it were your money.

Time is a precious commodity, especially when you are a mother. A schedule can be helpful; but more importantly, you need to know how you use the time available to you. As you create a schedule, remember to plan for the unexpected. This means you have to actually schedule for more time than you need for your studies. If no emergencies come up, great you'll have some extra time to do something fun with your kids, or catch up on much needed housework and errands. But, if an emergency does come up, than you already have a backup plan in place and you will be able to meet your deadlines and keep up with your class.

If you take this leg of your journey step-by-step, plan carefully, and equip yourself with the tools necessary, a degree will be in your hands in no time.