5 Tips for Moms Going Back to School

Disclosure: Links in this post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Read my site policies for more info.

Going back to school as a mom is no easy feat, regardless of age. Whether it's been 10 months or 10 years, nothing truly prepares us for college life post-baby. I started taking online classes a few years ago, to sort of get my mind back in the game. To my surprise, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.  I went back to school full time in January of 2018. I recently completed my bachelor's degree last month (December 2019). *Update, my degree arrived in the mail on the 18th!*. I thought I would share some tips that helped me.

January 2023 Update: I received my Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Southern California!

My iPad & Happy Planner in their matching Rose Gold cases.

1. Take online courses. As a stay at home, I found it hard to even think about school let alone actually go. Luckily, there are a plethora of online schools available. Sites like Guide to Online Schools offer tons of resources to help you find one that works for you. Also, check out local community colleges. Many offer online courses; so if you’re looking to test the waters, this might work best. For university, I applied through the California State University's online system. I graduated from California State University - East Bay's online Business program. I took the same courses as my on-campus peers and had the same resources available to me.

2. Fun supplies. So you've registered for classes, now what? Get your supplies. Aside from textbooks, (and a laptop/desktop computer), you're going to need some school supplies. Even if you're taking courses online, you should still invest in some fun notebooks or 3 ring binders with filler paper and plenty of writing utensils. I like to use brightly colored notebooks and various colored pens to take my notes. I liked using discbound notebooks. Specifically the Tul line by Office Depot. Papers can be easily added or removed. Since I used a Happy Planner for a few years prior (it's also a discbound system) I was able to use products interchangeably.

My favorite pens are Pilot Frixions. they come in different colors and are erasable. If you don't care for erasable pens, check out Papermate Flair (felt tip pens) and Papermate InkJoys (gel ink pens). I really like the InkJoy pens because they dry quicker than most gel ink pens and also come in tons of colors. As for highlighters, Zebra Mildliners are a great option. Fun fact, that not many people know, is that mildliners are double-ended.
During my last two semesters, however, I used an Apple iPad and Apple Pencil to take notes. If you have one available to you, I definitely recommend using them with the Goodnotes app.

3. Use a planner. As a mom, my life is already chaotic. It's already hard trying to stick to a daily routine and then I threw school into the mix. One thing that has been my saving grace, is using a planner. I personally used a combination of Ryder Carrol's Bullet Journal Method, a Happy Planner, and even the Passion Planner. But there are tons of planners and organizational systems out there. Even if you just like jotting down to-do lists on a notepad. Just find a system that works for you and stick with it. This year I'm experimenting with digital planning. So far, it's been working out well. *For more planner inspiration, click here*

4. Create a schedule. Now that you've got your planner system in full effect, create a study schedule. Are you going to study every morning or every night? Try to devote a set time frame for studying. It's not easy, but it can be done. I choose to study at night after I put my son to bed. It was the best time for me because I knew he was going to sleep for a solid 8 hours at least. I made myself a cup of tea, grabbed some snacks, and just got to work without any interruptions. He started TK this past August, so I was able to actually get more work done during the day while he was at school.

5. Last, but definitely not least, don't overdo it. If you can handle being a mom and going back to school full time, go for it. But if you're starting to feel overwhelmed, step back, take a break, and don't ever be afraid to ask for help.

Do you have any back to school tips?