There are lots of benefits of going to grad school. It can increase your earning potential and help you advance in your career or follow a new path. When you have a family, however, attending can seem intimidating as you'll be juggling responsibilities with a new, heavier schedule. Following are seven tips for going to grad school when you have a family.
1. Figure Out the Financials
Before you attend grad school, you'll need to figure out how you're going to pay for it, as well as how it will impact your household financially. After all, you have a family to think about. Look into things like tax breaks, employer tuition assistance, grants, and other financial aid options. Figure out your family budget and make room for this new expense. You might have to cut out other unnecessary expenses. You should talk about any cutbacks with your family in case any lifestyle adjustments have to be made.
2. Create a Schedule for Everyone
In addition to a budget, you'll need to come up with a schedule that makes sense for the entire family. Life will be changing for you, but that doesn't mean you're the only one that will be impacted.
"Managing the schedules of yourself, your partner/spouse and your kids requires lots of forward planning," says GoGrad.* "Because grad school schedules and study meetings don’t typically follow a structured plan from week-to-week, it’s important for each family member to know what happens each day. Creating a daily schedule showing who picks up the children, cooks dinner, walks the dog or takes out the trash helps to make sure daily tasks don’t fall through the cracks."
3. Always Communicate
Communication is important so that everyone is on the same page. With your schedule getting more hectic (especially if you'll also be holding down a job while attending school), you'll need to make sure you're not neglecting your duties as a parent and spouse/partner. Keep your family apprised of any news related to your schooling and schedule, and ask them to do the same. This can help you avoid conflicts and minimize stress.
4. Create a Good Place to Study
It can be enormously helpful to have a dedicated study space in your home. This can be a place where you can focus on schoolwork and research without distraction. If you have an extra room with a closing door, that's a great place, but if that's not available, find a spot to set up a desk where you can keep any needed materials and do your work. Keep the area tidy and organized, but also comfortable. Keep it away from any noise sources, such as the television, to eliminate distraction.
5. Work on Time Management
Time management is key when attending grad school with a family. If you also work, it's paramount.
The Princeton Review** says, "There are many ways you can allocate your time. Some grad students keep their academic life to a 9-to-5 work day, ensuring that those hours are as productive as possible. Others plan their days around their family needs—for instance, taking time out in the middle of the day for a parent-and-child music hour, and then staying up post-bedtime to finish working. You should do what works best for you, and have faith that you’ll learn to make the most of every working (and every family) moment. In short, you might not be a better student in spite of parenthood—you might learn how to be a top-notch scholar because of it."
6. Look Into Resources Your School May Provide
Get acquainted with any resources your school may provide that can make your life easier. For example, many schools provide aid to those who need child care. Some provide day care grants, which give parents for child care. Some even provide on-campus child care. Other types of resources to look into are tutoring services, the school library, writing centers, etc. Learn everything you can about your school so you know what resources are available.
7. Find Ways to Reduce Stress
Supporting a family can be stressful at times, but when you work and then add grad school to the mix, there will almost certainly be times when you feel a bit overwhelmed. That doesn't mean you can't get through it. Find ways to reduce stress, which will make everyone in your home feel better about the whole experience. Make sure you're eating properly and getting enough exercise. Many people find mindfulness and meditation helpful. Take breaks regularly, and get enough sleep.
Grad school can add a new challenge to your life in terms of time management, budget, and scheduling, but that doesn't mean you can't make it work, even when you already have a family.
* https://www.gograd.org/resources/grad-school-with-family
** https://www.princetonreview.com/grad-school-advice/how-to-balance-grad-school-with-kids