You’re accustomed to checking your child’s homework, helping them study, and preparing them for school, but are you prepared for the transition from being a parent to becoming a student?

Understand your motivation

- Think about your rationale for returning to school. Are you developing additional skills for a career change? Are you pursuing a degree that you always wanted, but never had the opportunity to? Maybe you’re anticipating that an additional degree will give you a competitive advantage in the labor market. Depending on what your source of motivation is will determine which type of school you should attend.

Delegate responsibilities

- Since you will be pressed for time upon returning to school, you will need as much help as you can get from your children. Prepare them mentally and let them know that you won’t be available as much as you used to. Let them know that you are counting on them to provide help around the house. Lay out ground rules and expectations that you have of them. If you have older children, they might be capable of taking care of a younger sibling. For younger children, you can delegate simple tasks such as folding laundry or wiping down the table. Realize that returning to school is a joint effort between both parent and child.

Manage your time

- Take ownership of your education, and set aside time everyday to study and review class notes. Piling up all your work until the very last minute will be counterproductive. Many classes require you to work collaboratively with other students on projects outside of the classroom. Create a schedule in way that allows you to focus both on your schoolwork and commitments as a parent.

Be smart with your money

- Tuition, books, and other fees will be eating away at your hard earned savings. Budget efficiently and consider different ways of saving money. Consider buying used or older editions of textbooks that are needed for class. The content is usually exactly the same (with the exception of the cover) and discounted at almost half the price of a newer edition. When you’re packing lunch for your child, you can pack an extra one for yourself to bring to class.

Realize that school will feel completely different from what you remembered it to be. Times have changed, students have changed, and so have the teaching methodologies. Do not feel intimidated that people around you are younger. Keep in mind that you are all there for the very same reason- to learn. You may feel out of place; but like any new environment, it will take time to adjust to.