Thinking about heading back to school as a busy parent?
You are not alone. Every year thousands of parents go back to school seeking better employment opportunities, higher wages and something more fulfilling. The best news is that with effective study habits balancing school, work and family can be achievable…
It’s the game plan that gets you across the finish line.
Let’s jump in!
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What you’ll pick up:
- Why Parents Are Heading Back To School
- Smart Study Habits That Actually Work
- Picking A Program That Fits Your Life
- Balancing Family, Work & School At The Same Time
Why Parents Are Heading Back To School
Higher education is having a comeback moment for parents.
Why? Because the workplace is evolving rapidly. And careers in corporate training are exploding as organizations continue to invest big bucks in learning. US spends on training hit $102.8 billion in 2025 — creating a massive industry full of opportunity for parents looking to break into learning and development, HR, or management.
Degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership online are designed with this in mind. They map onto corporate training careers by providing the leadership skills, communication abilities and people management training that businesses need today. Plus, they’re convenient for parents balancing children, careers and everything else in between.
Here’s why parents are jumping back in:
- Better pay and job security
- New career doors opening
- Setting an example for their kids
- Chasing goals they had to put on pause
According to a recent survey, 44% of parents are going back to college to learn something new. That’s a lot of parents getting another chance at their dreams.
Pretty inspiring, right?
Smart Study Habits That Actually Work
Going back to school is one thing. Actually finishing is another.
Research indicates that adult learners have a lower persistence rate than their younger counterparts — less than 50% of students who begin school at age 25 or older graduate. Ouch. Don’t be that statistic.
Here are the study habits that make the difference…
Set A Fixed Study Time Every Day
The parents who finish their degrees have one thing in common:
They schedule study time as if it were a doctors appointment. It’s not negotiable. Schedule a time that fits with your families routine. Early morning before kids get up, evenings after bedtime or even your lunch break at work.
Keep it simple:
- Same time every day
- Same spot in your home
- Phone on silent
Consistency beats intensity every single time.
Break Big Tasks Into Tiny Pieces
Have you ever stared at a 20 page paper and felt frozen?
Yes, everyone has. The key is to divide large projects into very small pieces. Don’t put “20 page paper” on your to do list. Put “outline the intro” or “research one source”. Small tasks are much less daunting and can be done in 30 minute snippets of free time.
Use Every Spare Minute
You are a parent. You don’t have hours of quiet time.
You may not have big chunks of time, but you do have 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there. Stuck in the school pickup line? Read a chapter. Standing by the soccer field watching your kids practice? Answer a discussion post. Making dinner? Listen to a lecture recording on your phone.
These small pockets add up faster than you think.
Sleep. Seriously.
Skipping sleep to study feels productive.
No it doesn’t. Your brain requires sleep in order to consolidate your memories. Staying up all night to study for a test will almost always fail you. Shoot for getting at least 7 hours. If you have to choose between one more hour of studying and one more hour of sleep… choose sleep every time.
Picking A Program That Fits Your Life
Not every degree is built for busy parents.
77% of parents returning to college want the option of online courses or programs. There’s good reason parents love flexibility. Distance learning allows you to study whenever you want.
Look for these features:
- Fully online or hybrid classes
- Asynchronous coursework (no live lectures required)
- Rolling admissions
- Credit for past work or life experience
Online programs give you more opportunities when pursuing a career in corporate training. As a parent, you can create a school schedule that works around your family. Corporate training is ideal because the degree paths that lead to it (leadership, org development, HR) are where remote degrees have the quickest turnaround.
Balancing Family, Work & School At The Same Time
Here’s the honest truth…
Balancing work and family while going to school can be difficult. Extremely difficult. However, all of the parents who have mastered this share a few tips.
Tell Your Family What You’re Doing
Don’t hide your books from your kids. They need to see them.
Tell them what you are doing and why. Even allow the older children to sit with you at the kitchen table during “family study hour”. You accomplish your task. They watch you pursue your dreams. Win-win.
Ask For Help
You can’t do it all. Nobody can.
Ask your partner, family or friends to assist with school runs or dinners a few nights a week. Order a meal kit if you can afford it. Life saver. Give yourself brain space for what’s most important – your degree and your family.
Look For Employer Support
Did you know that according to recent research, 70% of adults stated that if they received support from their employer, they would be more likely to return to school.
Many employers provide tuition assistance or flexible schedules for employees pursuing a degree – particularly if that degree will go into one of their corporate training careers or management track. Don’t be afraid to ask. They can only say no.
Give Yourself Grace
Some weeks will be a total mess.
Kids will get sick. Work will overwhelm you. You’ll fall behind on readings. That is okay. Just catch up tomorrow. Parents who graduate aren’t perfect… they persevere.
The Bottom Line
Returning to school as a parent can be challenging. However, if you learn effective study habits it is entirely possible.
To quickly recap:
- Set a fixed study time every day
- Break big tasks into tiny pieces
- Use every spare minute you have
- Get enough sleep
- Pick a program built for busy adults
- Loop your family in and ask for help
Corporate training careers. Leadership roles. Better paying jobs. They’re all possible when you stay dedicated to the process. Take one week at a time and you’ll complete the degree that launches the next chapter in your life.
You’ve got this.
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