School Days, School Days…Is It Over Yet?

How can it be that yet another semester of college is coming to an end?  It seemed like this past semester just flew by at warp speed, twirled my around, caused me lots of sleepless nights, and then left me with a feeling of failure that I have yet to experience while attending college.  I’m not sure if it was me starting Crash Test, or our move, or just life that got me off track this semester, but I am perfectly sure that this will go down as my worst semester to date!



I seemed to completely lose interest in my education this semester and as a result I missed tests, forgot to turn in assignments, and just pretty much decided to be a slacker…and now with the end of the semester SO close I’m kicking myself in the butt for letting it get this far.  Tonight as I was finishing up my homework (that is due tomorrow by the way…can you say major procrastinator?) I decided to check my grades, and then I saw them and wanted to throw my computer out the window.  Of course, I can’t really blame anyone but myself, I mean I am the one who decided that I could handle 5 classes, 4 kids, a 3 bedroom house to clean (by myself), 2 grown men living in that 3 bedroom house (oh don’t get all weird on me…I already told you we don’t go for the brother husbands thing lol) who seem to make more messes than my 4 legitimate children, and 1, nope scratch that, 2 blogs to keep up with…yeah frickin right.  I’ve come to realize, the hard way I might add as I seem to have no desire to ever learn things the easy way, that I cannot do it all, I am not Super Woman (or Wonder Woman rather) and that I do need help…LOTS of help! 

So I’ve decided to take the summer semester off from college, focus on my kids, and build my blogs and then go full force in the fall to get my classes finished and ace them all…and hopefully be that much closer to graduation…have I ever mentioned that a certain college algebra class is all that stands between me and my associates degree?  Yes, well that my lovelies is the truth…I transferred schools needing only college algebra to get my associates degree…and the thought of that class makes me nauseous so I decided hell I might as well just switch schools and focus on my major…well, I did that and now I still have to take that God awful algebra class…how does algebra have anything to do with communication? 

So in closing, and I promise I did have a point when I started writing this, though now that point escapes me, I am tired…and stressed…and majorly pissed about the way I handled this semester.  So please take it from me, if you’re in school and you’re just over it, don’t give up, keep pushing yourself to do better and go further and before you know it you WILL graduate.  It’s such a shame that I cannot seem to take my own advice…for whatever reason I rather like making life difficult for myself…yep definitely that…after all I did birth 4 children…it doesn’t get much more difficult than that! 

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Tips for Finding a Balance Between Mommy and Student!

Being a mom is hard enough, add in all of the other hats moms wear:  chauffeur, personal chef, chief disciplinarian, head grocery shopper, bill payer, and the list goes on and on, it doesn’t leave much time for much else.  Adding student to that list seems like a complete impossibility when you look at all of the other things us moms have going on. 
Actually being a mom and a student is not impossible, I’ve been working towards my degree for the past few years and even though it has been a long and bumpy road filled with many twists and turns, I’m doing it and I am succeeding!  So I thought I would share some of my tips for balancing motherhood and school with all of you who are students or may be thinking of becoming student.

*  Be prepared!  It will be difficult to find a good balance between your family and your school work, but not impossible!  Don’t go into the situation thinking it will be a breeze without being fully prepared for what’s in store!  Late nights spent studying, cramming for exams, homework, quizzes, babysitter or daycare issues—just make sure you have a clear game plan and you won’t go wrong!

*  Don’t take on too much!  Making sure that your course load isn’t too much for you is a must when you have a family and a job to worry about.  I cannot tell you how many times I have attempted to take on 5 classes a semester and failed miserably at doing so.  I know for me 4 classes is the most I can handle at a time, for some people it may be more for some less, only you know what you can handle so don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise!
*  Make a Study Schedule and Stick to it!  This is probably one of the best tips I have been given!  When you have other commitments (family, work, friends) it’s very easy to forget about your school work.  Make a study schedule each week of the times that you can study uninterrupted for at least an hour per day and make sure you stick to it! 
*  Don’t procrastinate!  I have to admit that being an online student I find myself putting things off to the last minute more often than not.  The problem is that sometimes (and with 4 kids sometimes means at least once a week) things happen and you are unable to finish that project or complete your quiz—so plan for the unexpected and don’t leave things until last minute!
* Make time for family activities!  As hard as this one is to do when you have papers due, pop quizzes, and exams to study for, it’s also very important.  Making time to spend with your family lets them know that they are just as important as your school work—it’s also a great stress relief for YOU!
*  Don’t give up!  I know so many people who have started school only to give it up because it became too difficult to balance school, work, and family.  Going to school when you’re a mom IS hard, but it CAN be done, you just have to find the balance that works for you and keep at it…you may just be surprised at what you can do!
Are you a college student and a mom?  If so I want to hear your best tips for balancing the two! 

Image Credit:  Students Over 30

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