For Any Moms Considering Going Back to School, Here's How I'm Managing It

For the past few years, I toyed with the idea of earning my CFP? (Certified Financial Planner) designation. I always found reasons to put it off—whether it was time, money, or the thought of juggling coursework with raising my family and running my business. But this year, I finally bit the bullet and enrolled in a program.

Why? Because I want to take my passion for financial education to the next level. Earning my CFP? designation will allow me to work one-on-one with clients to create personalized financial plans tailored to their unique situations. It’s a step that not only enhances my skills but opens doors to greater opportunities—both professionally and financially.

I won’t lie—the decision wasn’t easy. As moms, we often put our ambitions on hold to focus on everyone else. But going back to school isn’t just an investment in yourself; it’s an investment in your family’s future. Furthering your education can help you grow in your career, increase your earning potential, and set an incredible example for your kids about perseverance and self-improvement.

So how am I managing it all?

Choosing Flexibility

Flexibility has been my lifesaver. To fit school around work and family, I wanted to prioritize finding a program that offers online or hybrid classes. Virtual learning can allow you to attend lectures and complete coursework during nap times, after bedtime, or early in the morning before the chaos of the day begins.

For my CFP coursework, I chose an online program that meets once per week, giving me the flexibility to balance school with my other responsibilities. Other programs are offered online as well but self-paced so you can truly work around your schedule. But I chose to enroll at a university in my area and take instructor-led classes since I feel it will help me stay on track better.

Key considerations for choosing flexible programs:

• Look for universities or institutions that offer asynchronous classes, so you can watch lectures and submit assignments on your own schedule.
• Part-time enrollment options can lighten the coursework load while giving you more time to adjust.
• Verify the credibility of the program—accreditation and experienced professors matter a lot.

Flexibility doesn’t just make life easier; it gives you the freedom to pursue your goals on your terms.

Planning Ahead

Going back to school requires juggling multiple responsibilities, and planning has been my key to sanity. I’ve found that proactively setting a schedule and mapping out assignments is essential to staying on track.

I’ve set clear goals for what I want to accomplish each week, balancing my coursework with other responsibilities.

Here’s how I plan ahead:

• Utilize a digital planner or shared calendar like Google Calendar to coordinate school, work, and family commitments.
• At the start of each semester/class, review the syllabus for all classes and note important deadlines. This ensures that nothing sneaks up on you.
• Meal prep on weekends to minimize last-minute stress during evenings packed with activities and coursework. This has been a game-changer for me. I meal prep whenever I have downtime in my schedule and I'm prioritizing simple, practical meals. On weekends and during slower periods, I love to cook my family a nice big dinner but this won't always happen now that I'm back in school and working and that's okay.

Seeking Support

Whether it’s leaning on my partner, family, or friends, I’m not afraid to ask for help when I need it. Moms are amazing multitaskers, but no woman is an island. Seeking and accepting support has been crucial for me. Being honest about your needs with the people around you helps create a safety net.

Be sure to talk to your partner about dividing household responsibilities. For example, my husband has taken on cooking dinner twice a week already and will continue doing so while I'm in school. His work schedule depends on how soon he finishes jobs for the day so if he happens to get off work earlier than expected, we coordinate him running a few errands for things we need around the house or things that need to be done.

Ways to seek and build support:

• Lean on your trusted village—friends, family members, and even neighbors who are willing to babysit or lend a helping hand.
• Connect with fellow moms in similar situations. Online communities for moms returning to school can offer solidarity, advice, and camaraderie when you most need a pep talk.

Remember, asking for help doesn’t mean you’re failing. It simply means you’re human.

Budgeting Wisely

Education is an investment, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank. Budgeting wisely has helped me avoid extra financial stress while pursuing my certification. The first thing I did before enrolling was researching scholarships and grants. Many programs specifically support moms looking to go back to school.

For the CFP program, I found a few scholarships but all the deadlines had passed. So I plan to apply for some next year to cover the remainder of my tuition or even to help me pay for the final exam which has a fee.

Luckily though, the program I applied for has a payment plan that broke up the total payment to one-third every three months. Spreading out this huge cost has helped give me time to budget and save for the next payment.

Another thing you should do if you're looking to go back to school is to track your monthly budget. Apps like Quicken Simplifi help me out a ton with this since it automatically tracks my income and expenses so I can see areas that need to be improved.

Cut unnecessary costs while you're in school and make small and large sacrifices. But remind yourself it's only temporary. This next year, I will be saying 'no' a lot more to things and slowing down my lifestyle in order to balance out the additional cost of school and the reduction to my income that I anticipate from having less time to work.

Being intentional with my finances has helped me stay debt-free while pursuing my academic goals.

Creating a Routine

The secret to balancing school, work, and family? A solid routine. While every day might not be perfect, having a predictable structure has made all the difference. Consistency can help you find a rhythm, making it easier to stay productive and present in all your roles.

Sticking to a consistent schedule also helps me manage my time effectively and ensures I’m not neglecting important tasks.

Here’s what I plan to do:

1. Set designated study hours by carving out focused blocks of time, like early mornings or late evenings, to study without distractions.
2. I'll also plan regular family time activities—like movie nights or Sunday dinners—to stay connected with my family and avoid burnout.
3. Stay consistent with my routine. By sticking to my daily schedule, my family knows what to expect, which reduces conflicts or interruptions.

Prioritizing Self-Care

This might feel counterintuitive, but making time to prioritize self-care has been one of the most impactful strategies for me. It’s easy to put yourself last when juggling multiple responsibilities, but trust me—burnout doesn’t help anyone.

A rested, energized mom is a productive one. I’m making time for exercise, rest, and moments of joy to keep my energy up.

Here’s how I prioritize self-care:

• It’s tempting to trade sleep for study sessions, but I realized I’m far more productive and focused after a good night’s rest. Back when I was earning my Bachelor's Degree I always prioritized sleep too and it was so helpful. I never stayed up all night studying when I knew I had to be up early. What you can do is decide what time you want to get up each morning and count eight hours back and start settling in for bed around that time.
• Make time for hobbies, whether it’s reading a book, engaging in yoga, or watching my favorite TV show. Schedule small moments to recharge.
• Spending five minutes meditating or journaling has helped me reset during stressful moments.

Going back to school as a mom is no small feat, but with the right mindset, strategies, and support, it’s entirely possible. Balancing family, work, and academics has taught me that it’s okay to take small steps, ask for help, and adapt along the way.

If you’ve been considering going back to school or pursuing a certification, let this be your sign to go for it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.