According to an analysis by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research Institute (IWPRI), more than one in every five college students are parents. That is, 22 percent of all undergraduates or nearly 3.8 million students are raising children while attending school. Given the large share of parents who are students in college, promoting college success among them including single parents is also vital to achieving national and state goals to substantially increase the number of adults with postsecondary credentials. In line with this, this article has been written to provide tips that will help single parents to succeed and survive while in college. Also, you will find links to advocacy groups, help, & resources available for single parents in college. Here is a table of what to expect.

Who Is A Single Parent?

According to Wikipedia, a single parent is a person who lives with a child or children and who does not have a spouse or live-in partner. Reasons for becoming a single parent include:

DivorceBreak-upAbandonmentDeath of the other parentChildbirth by a single womanSingle-person adoption.

A single-parent family is a family with children that are headed by a single parent. It can be difficult to combine your single-parent family with attending college. In fact, for many single parents, earning a college degree may seem like an insurmountable feat. So, to help you survive and excel academically as a single parent in college, we have come up with some tips that will help you. Every student needs a guide. Check out these numerous tips for students available on our platform.

What Are The Survival Tips For Single Parents In College In 2022?

Certainly, no amount of advice could make being a single parent in college a simple experience, however, these survival tips will help you achieve a little more balance. In no particular order, here are the tips that will help you survive and succeed in college as a single parent:

Don’t Feel GuiltyDon’t Neglect Self-CareFind A Support SystemEvaluate Your Study HabitsMake Homeworks A Family EventConsider Other Alternate Learning OptionsPrioritizeJoin Forces with Other Single ParentsGet Creative With ChildcarePlan Ahead For EmergenciesCreate A RoutineBe Consistent With Rules And Discipline

#1. Don’t Feel Guilty

Schools generally require our time and attention. Due to this, many single parents feel guilty for even considering college. As a single parent. it’s important that you remember the short time you spend in college is just a fraction of your child’s life. Also, the benefits you’ll enjoy upon completion of your degree will be well worth the sacrifices you (and your child) make during school. Therefore, be sure to explain to your child or children why you are going to school. Yes, they may miss you from time to time, but they will definitely understand why you are doing it.

#2. Don’t Neglect Self-Care

You will be at your best for your kids only when you are healthy and relaxed. So, before anything else can be done, ensure that you are caring for your own needs adequately. Many parents tend to put their children’s needs first and theirs last, and this most times results in a never-ending cycle of exhaustion and feelings of inadequacy. As a parent take time to eat regularly and healthfully, get plenty of rest, and exercise whenever you can. Also, a short walk around the neighborhood will do you good as it helps your body get much-needed movement and fresh air. Your kids depend on you, so ensure that you are well-equipped and ready to take on that responsibility.

#3. Find A Support System

No man is an island, and no one stands alone. Everyone needs help once in a while, so as a single parent, ensure you have reliable help. Don’t try to be a superhero and do it all yourself. All college students basically benefit from a support system and these relationships are essential for single parents. You need to find and set up your support system, which will include those who have always been your biggest cheerleaders. There are probably people in your life who care about you and your children and want to help you. Let them know what types of things would be most appreciated, when, and how often they will need to help. Whether it’s bringing meals once a week, helping with rides to school, or giving you time to yourself. You need people in your life who are going to encourage you to go the distance and help you get there. Just remember that there is no shame in asking for help and accepting assistance from loved ones.  You will be surprised to know more people are committed to your success than you probably realize. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

#4. Evaluate Your Study Habits 

Many things change once you start having children. In the same vein, the time and manner in which you studied prior to having a child will probably have to change as a single parent. Try to find the pockets of time that have little impact on quality time with your child to study. Always remember that school only lasts for a set period.

#5. Make Homeworks A Family Event

Always make out time for your kids as a single parent in college. If you have a child who is in school, do well to make studying and homework a bonding experience. You can do your homework at the same time as your child. This way you get to spend quality time with them and in turn, they get a first-hand example of how to study appropriately. Check out these 10 Homework Helper Apps For International Students

#6. Consider Other Alternate Learning Options

Nowadays, you don’t have to physically present in a classroom to earn a degree as most colleges and universities offer their programs online. So you can take the classes at home, and work around your own schedule instead of having to be in the classroom at a specific time. This, in turn, gives you more flexibility, convenience, and the freedom to be at home more with your children.

#7 Prioritize

Generally, the top 4 priorities for most single parents in college are family, work, school, and sleep. Make sure you don’t ignore any of them, especially the final priority, sleep. As a parent, you’re already used to functioning with little sleep. Combining this with college work may not cut it in on your sleep. However, your mind and body need more rest to function as a student. So, find times to grab a nap or two as it’ll go a long way towards your sanity.

#8 Join Forces with Other Single Parents

At times, you may feel left alone as a single parent in college. However, the statistics show that there are many others who know exactly what you’re going through. You can find single parents locally, through your children’s school, through extracurricular activities, online, or even through an app. In addition, there are also many online communities that can offer support and advice, through Facebook or sites like Single Mom Nation. Typically single moms make up most single parents, however, there are more than 2.6 million single dads in the USA. Another great way to connect is through Meetup. There are several single parents who will be more than happy to arrange babysitting swaps, playdates, and carpools. So, ensure you join forces in order to form mutually beneficial relationships.

#9 Get Creative With Childcare

Raising a child as a single parent with a single income is a challenge, especially with the high cost of daycares, nannies, and other conventional childcare services. Although there are more affordable options if you go a less traditional route. So, if you have space and live in a college town, you can offer college student housing for regular childcare. You can also swap kids with other single parents (like those you met in communities or meetups) so that your kids can have friends to play with while the parents get time to themselves. This makes the parents’ job a lot easier and also a win-win situation for both the children and single parents in college.

#10 Plan Ahead For Emergencies

Basically, as a single parent, you need to have a backup plan or two in emergency situations. Make sure you have a list of people you know you can call in a moment’s notice. This is because times will come when you need help, and it’s important to know ahead of time who you can rely on. Also, look into whether your area offers emergency babysitting services or a drop-in daycare. Knowing that someone will be able to care for your child in the event of an emergency can relieve one potential source of anxiety for you as a single parent in stressful situations.

#11 Create A Routine

Generally, routines are crucial for young children because knowing what to expect gives them a semblance of control. This is even more important for you as a single parent who combines college work with running the home. For instance, if your child has multiple caretakers or travels between homes, life can seem extremely chaotic and unpredictable. So, do well to establish a routine and schedule for your child as much as possible. The routine can include bedtime, before/after school, chores, meal times, and even a weekend routine to mention but a few. Also, remember having a routine does not mean things cannot change. Rather, it is merely a default schedule to fall back on when no additional events or activities are going on. Furthermore, when your children have a routine, they will be less resistant because they know what to expect. This will make the days run much more smoothly.

#12 Be Consistent With Rules And Discipline

As a single parent in college ensure that you are consistent with the rules and disciplinary measures you’ve set up for your children. In a situation where your child has multiple caretakers, such as another parent, grandparent, or babysitter, make sure you communicate clearly on how discipline will be handled. If you are sharing custody with your ex, talk to him/her as well as any other caretakers about the rules and the agreed-upon approach to discipline. This is because when a child realizes that certain rules can be bent with certain people, he/she will use it to his/her advantage, causing additional issues with limits, behavior, and discipline down the road.

Advocacy, Help, & Resources For Single Parents In College In 2022

Because college is challenging for most students, therefore a wide array of resources is available. Many of these resources are however not tailored for single-parent students or the issues many single parents face in college. Not to worry, there are a variety of resources are available for single-parent college students to support them.

Single Parent Advocacy Organizations

Many organizations have been established to provide assistance to single parents who are struggling.  Here is a list of some organizations that recognizes how important it is for single parents to get an education and therefore focus only on helping those students. Click on any of them to know more.

Extended FamilyHelping Hands for Single MomsParents Without PartnersSingle Parent Alliance & Resource Center (SPARC)Single Parents Alliance of America (SPAOA)

Help & Resources For Single Parents In School

The following resources are focused on helping college students who are also single parents:

For Food & Living Expenses

UC Berkeley’s Short-Term Emergency LoansMontclair’s State University’s Red Hawk PantryPhillips Charitable OrganizationsPantryNet.org

For Housing

College of Saint Mary’s Mothers Living & LearningHousing Choice VouchersNational Low Income Housing Coalition

For Childcare

State University of New York Child Care Development FundChild Care Access Means Parents in School Program

For Mental Health

University of Houston’s Counseling and Psychological ServicesMental Health AmericaMental Health.govULifeline

Rutgers UniversityNational Center for State Courts (NCSC) – Marriage/Divorce/Custody/SupportFindLaw – Child Support

You may also like to see Organizations And Programs That Provide Help for Single Moms

Conclusion

The article above highlights some survival tips that will help you as a single parent in college to balance caring for the kids and your schoolwork as a student. I hope this helps you in your decision-making. Good Luck And Success!!!

References

PostUniversityBlog – 8 Tips for Single-Parent Student SuccessStanfordCollegePuzzzle – 7 Tips for the Single Parent College StudentLifeHack – 14 Helpful Tips for Single Parents: How to Stay Sane While Doing it AllAccreditedSchoolsOnline – Resources, Scholarships, And Financial Aid for Single Moms & Dads in School

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