Conquering Homework Headaches

Managing homework while going to school, taking care of kids and in some cases also working can be a difficult task. In the beginning of my college experience, I felt as if I was drowning and it came to the point where I found it hard to have any time to breathe. I decided that there was no way I was going to be able to handle it unless I had a tight schedule to follow.

That was when I decided to approach my husband and let him know that if I was going to complete this journey, he would have to help me come up with a plan that would work out for the both of us. Since then, at the beginning of each semester we sit down and discuss what our schedule is going to consist of.

One thing I realize is that while I’m doing my homework, I can’t be interrupted. Without kids screaming, televisions, radios or video games blaring in the background, homework can be done with better concentration which causes it to take less time to do.

Monday through Friday, I commit myself to doing 2 hours of homework after the kids are asleep. If there is any extra time while the kids are at school and daycare, you’ll catch me at the library, or sometimes even studying in my car. Saturdays I spend with my kids, but Sundays are spent solely on homework. This is the day the kids spend with their dad, family or friends.

There is also what I like to refer to as “study locations” for student-parents; one of these places would be the local park. I normally save all my reading for the park, as it’s the only form of quality studying that can be done there. However, there is also a place located in Northridge called “Gummy the Bear.” It’s an indoor playground for kids that offer a separate room for parents called the “parents zone,” where you can watch your kids play through a glass window while you have complimentary use of their computers, access to the internet and Wi-Fi. For more information go to www.gummythebear.com

I’m in no way trying to make it seem easy. Obtaining a BA in this situation is definitely one of the hardest accomplishments I’ve ever tried to make. But with all these obstacles to conquer, there is no doubt that the greatest rewards are waiting around the corner.

Dealing with Daycare

Making the decision to go to college with children can sometimes solely depend on finding proper childcare. This can be a difficult challenge, especially when there aren’t any family members or friends around to help.

What parents don’t know is that some colleges provide subsidized childcare to low-income families. These daycares are located on-site and/or sometimes provided through a network of local daycares.

Every time I tell someone that my daughter goes to daycare through the college, they look stunned, and always tell me they never even knew there was a daycare on campus.

It’s true, Associated Students at CSUN, provides on-site child care at the Children’s Center located right here on campus. The cost is on a sliding scale according to the student’s total family income.

“I am a single mother of two and I go to school, I can barley pay my tuition/books with the aid given and if you add day care it’s not enough but luckily CSUN offers a subsidized program which saved me,” said Marla Pizzia, senior, liberal studies major and mother of two kids that attend AS/CSUN’s children’s center where she is also Co-Chair of the parents group.

Some parents find it hard to leave their kids with someone they don’t know, but I have found that my children have learned a lot from the daycare experience. The most important thing is to make sure they are well taken care of and are learning tools that will prepare them for elementary school.

“One benefit of taking a child to daycare is that children get to be involved with other children their age,” said Alejandra Gonzalez, teacher at the Children’s Center who graduated from CSUN in 2006 with a BA in Child Development. “At daycare, children can develop their social skills but at home, they may not have the same opportunity.”

I’ve found that daycare has provided my children with more structure and has taught them how to manage a well-balanced daily routine as well as enhanced their social skills. This is extremely beneficial, as it’s important for me to have a well-managed schedule while attending school full-time.

You Are Not Alone

Being a full-time student can be extremely challenging at times. Now, include a child, or two, or in my case three. You read it right, three. Some may think that’s crazy, but with the current job struggle and economic crisis many people are finding themselves in this same situation. If you’re a student who’s also on this mission, I’m here to say you’re not alone. The goal can be accomplished even though circumstances sometimes make it seem impossible. After five years of college, I’m now a senior and approaching the finish line.
There are limited facts indicating how many student-parents there actually are attending college. However, when talking to classmates the growing population of us is clearly evident. I haven’t been in one class in which I was the only parent. I’ve also found that many of us have had similar problems and have felt there wasn’t anyone to turn to. It’s unfortunate that there aren’t many websites or blogs dedicated to college students with children. Therefore, I’ve decided to use this column to provide helpful tips and resolutions to common problems for the student –parent. This will hopefully help them to endure a more rewarding and less stressful college experience.
First, never be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s you’re wife/husband, family members, friends, professors, school, social services, etc. You’d be surprised at how much support there is as long as you’re willing to ask for it.
“It's very important to stay humble and ask for help from your significant other or parents,” said 23-year-old Ashley Erikson, full-time English major, worker, and mother to a 15-month-old boy. “They have to understand that you are bettering yourself and your child's future, and be willing to pick up on the household slack that starts to evolve.”
At times it can feel like the whole world is weighing down on you. Therefore, asking for help is something that one should never be ashamed of. Those that surround you are there to support you and will also benefit from the goals that you achieve once your college journey comes to an end. More helpful tips will be provided in upcoming columns. Stay tuned!