I am really trying to figure out what I can do and what I can't do. I have an opportunity to go to school tuition free and can still work full-time in the meantime. But my problem is that I am a full time single mom, full time legal assistant and I want to go to school too. However, this would involve me trying to find the time to juggle all this and still be happy and also throw in time to work out to stay fit (cause I really need to) and all the other fun daily stuff. Anyone have any advice? I'm freaking out just thinking about it.

If you don't need the instructions by being there on campus and you have good study habits, you may want to take some courses online. This takes some self discipline and you'll need to take schedule your time for exams which may be on campus in a testing center.

Go to the campus you're thinking about and look at the text books and course outlines. This will give you an idea if you already know the material.

Do you have extra time after your child goes to bed at night to study? or are you exhausted?

I'm also facing that dilemma once the baby comes out. I have temporarily stopped pursuing my master's degree when I got pregnant and went from full-time work to part-time consultancy. But afterwards, I know I have to go back to full-time work (although my schedule is flexible enough because I'm working for the family business, but clients can be so demanding) and finish up my masterals. I'm still trying to figure out how to do this because my school doesnt offer online courses. I might get a baby sitter to just care for my son when I'm away or leave him with my mom.

I have signed up for two online classes seeing that this is all I can handle right now. At least I think I can handle it. I have been working as a legal assistant for the past 5 years and I have been wanting to get my degree. However, I have always wanted to get a degree in psychology also. I think I will do this first since right now, I am already doing what I love and it's not a requirement that I have any further schooling. However, there is a faster and less expensive way to get my legal assistant certificate through an organization that is nationwide that I currently belong to. Basically they have study groups and preparation classes then you take this huge exam and get your certification. I am thinking that I am going to do this to get my legal assistant certification and just get my psychology degree through the local college.

Now to figure out if I can move near my college. They have family housing but I dont know much about it.

Not sure if this helps at all...I work full time and go to school part time. (That is why I have been on here less often lately.) I take two classes, one online and one in a traditional classroom 2 nights a week. Really I am just taking some review classes to get started so I am comfortable taking two and working full time and taking care of my son. It helps that often it is slow at work so I can do homework at work. Even some of the online stuff I do at work. So far it is going pretty smoothly and I am just wondering why I did not go back to school so much sooner. In any event, I wish you well and if you ever want to chat, let me know...Okay back to work/homework...

I am hoping that I will be able to do this whole thing and still have time with my daughter. I will also be able to do homework on lunch at work and maybe if we are slow I can do it then also. So far, I've been told that I can. I am going to be scheduling a meeting with a school counselor here soon.

I know we have many parent/working parents that are members here. I am sure when the next log on they may have some good input for you.

Good luck

I understand completely. I never thought I would have the time to do everything but I always find it somehow...It is a gift that comes from being a single parent. Know what I mean?

current pay

divided by

expected pay after graduation

= percent of increase in income


If it is less than 20% you won't feel a difference in the amount you take home.

The time you spent could be used elsewhere if you're trying to increase your income.

Personally, I would research the job you wanted and the requirements needed. The Universities usually have postings on what salary graduates can make with their degrees. Another good place to look is the US Labor department or employment web sites.

Many jobs don't require a specific degree anymore but they do require certification programs. I've heard many people with psychology degrees who felt their degree didn't seem to open many doors where as an Accounting Degree with state certification made more impact in income.

I am finding more and more that psychology might not be the way to go. I am also finding that the university center at my college doesn't have connections for psychology with the big universities, which means I would eventually have to move somewhere else to finish. Bah! Looks like I'm probably going to go back to my previous major but i can do a minor in psychology. At least I'll have job security and a different degree to do later. Who knows maybe by the time I finish most of my classes for each degree they will have things set up so I in this area and get my degree.