Studying as a mum

If you’re a mother, you’ll know that parenting is already a full-time job. 

But if you want to strive for a better future for yourself and your family, studying as a mum is totally possible – there are so many ways you can further your education and prioritise your family at the same time.

So, we’ve put together a few tips and ideas on how you can balance studying with your life as a mum.

It’s never too late to study for something new

Life is long, and there are no rules about when you should or shouldn’t study! Being a stay-at-home parent is a wonderful and demanding job, but between regular mealtimes and school runs it can be easy to feel like you won’t get a moment to yourself.

But if you’d like to pursue something extra for yourself, like a career change, it can also be an amazing opportunity for personal growth and your own sense of achievement.  That’s because it will force you to carve out time for yourself to focus on your skills and talent – something that’s just for you.

Many graduates before you have proven it’s possible and have found innovative ways to manage their family life, work and studies successfully. One of the best ways to achieve your goals at home is through studying an online course. It’s a fantastic method of gaining a qualification without taking away from those precious moments as a parent.

The beauty of studying with Foundation Education is that it’s entirely flexible – whenever you’ve got ten or twenty minutes to spare here or there, you can log in and read through your course materials or work on an upcoming assignment.

But even with flexible online study, you’ll still need to take a few extra steps to maintain a good life balance.

How to balance study and children

Of course, it will take some extra planning when you have kids, but with a little bit of planning and willpower, it can be a super rewarding experience that shows what you’re truly capable of.

And we’ll let you in on a little secret – whether you have kids or not, most of the following study tips are vital for any student looking to balance life and learning.

Establish a schedule

It’s always a great idea to figure out how to spend your time for the week ahead. Create a daily or weekly schedule where you dedicate some time to studying – it’ll help you prioritise your studies and get you into a good rhythm for learning.

Set achievable goals

Realistic goals for your studies are so important! By breaking down your coursework or assignments into smaller tasks with deadlines, you’ll be able to finish each task in a way that puts far less pressure on you. This will go a long way to helping you stay focused and motivated. 

Involve your children

This one’s for mums with toddlers and older. Give your children fun or educational activities that allow them to be with you while you study. For the little ones, you can set up play areas near your study space, and for older children, you can even help them do their own homework while you study.

Seek support

A solid support network will be your best asset while you study as a busy mum. Don’t be afraid to turn to your family members, friends, or your partner for help with childcare or household tasks. 

Set up time for self-care

Don’t be too hard on yourself! It’s one thing to raise a whole human being, but you also need to nurture yourself as well. When you take good care of your well-being, you'll have so much more energy for parenting and studying. So, get a good amount of sleep, eat a balanced diet, and engage in activities that help you relax and recharge – whether that’s a bubble bath or catching up on your favourite series.

Stay organized  

There are so many tools available to keep yourself organised, even if it isn’t particularly your strong suit. Keeping your study materials, assignments, and important documents organised will make things much easier in the long run. Use things like calendars, planners, and apps to manage your tasks and deadlines. One handy tip – there’s even plug-ins available for your browser to help block distracting websites. 

Communicate with your Trainers and Assessors

Your Trainers and Assessors were once students too! They know how difficult it can be to balance study with life obligations. Let your instructors know about your situation – they’ll be more understanding than you think and may help take some pressure off by providing you with additional support. 

Have flexibility and self-compassion

Some days might not go as planned, and that's totally okay! Some things in life, we can’t control. Learn how to be flexible and adjust your study routine as necessary. Perfection is overrated anyway – as long as you’re progressing towards your goals.

Find pockets of time for studying

Adaptability is a great skill to have when it comes to studying as a mum. Keep an eye out for those small periods of time throughout the day when you might be able to focus your attention on studying.

The best times to study as a parent

Speaking of finding pockets of time for studying — here’s a few examples to give you some ideas.

The school pick-up

The wait at school gates can sometimes take a while! The best part of studying online is that you can do it anywhere. Why not score yourself a good parking spot and catch up on some reading while you wait?

When the kids are asleep 

Every child must sleep at some point – whether you stay up a few extra hours after they’ve gone to bed or wake up a little early to have some precious quiet time, their bedtime is your prime time for study.

Weekends 

With loads of weekend activities – swimming classes, play dates or birthday parties, the weekends are a great opportunity to get some work done!

Studying with Foundation Education

Foundation Education delivers flexible courses in a variety of industries that offer a great balance for working mums.

Our courses are designed by industry experts, can be completed in your own time, and depending on your course, you’ll have the option to complete practical training at a real-life workplace near you.

Browse Foundation Education’s range of online courses or call 1300 616 197 to speak with a friendly Careers Advisors today.

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