I would be lying if I said my life was easy. I am a mother in school and attempting to make an income as well. My life is a balancing act and, occasionally, it does become unbalanced.
Since I have fallen behind the rest of my high school graduating class, I already feel a bit defeated when it comes to schooling. But I remain determined because I know a degree is the only way I'll really be able to support my child. I struggled my very first semester at school (without my child) because I didn't have the motivation. I couldn't motivate myself to be something more. So I took a break and ended up getting pregnant. My son has given me a whole new motivation for getting a degree and going to school.
I just finished my summer classes, and that was a little difficult. Imagine having a paper due and your child suddenly doesn't want to nap that day, giving you no time to get it done. And then you have to go into work at 4 p.m. but your paper is due at 11:59 p.m., which also does not allow much work time. Needless to say, it was quite a stressful time. I bit off way more than I could chew.
Somehow, I managed to pass my classes, but not with the grades I thought I would get. As I head into fall, I have a new outlook. I have set new goals and will push myself even harder to get that GPA up. I keep telling myself that even though I am a mother, I can do this. And when I am feeling defeated, I remind myself that I need to do this for my son. He is my motivation to be better than I am.
So to all the collegiate mommas out there, cheers to you. I'm being honest when I say the struggle is most definitely real. We must make income to support our child(ren), we must find time to study while trying to care for our child(ren) and we must succeed in motherhood. It is stressful, and not many people understand that. There are no breaks — it is a constant hustle. And if you are ever feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and worn out, it is OK to cry a little, but make sure you stand up and get right back on top of things. There is a tiny human relying on you — let that be your motivation.
