How to spill the back-to-school beans to your family

Is that degree program calling your name? When you have family obligations, work responsibilities and life happening around you every minute of every day, it can be tempting to ignore that urge to go back to school. But with the support of your family, online learning can become a happy reality.

Talking to your family about going back to school

When you first start seriously considering the thought of going back to school, mention it to your family. Your spouse, partner, or kids will surely have something to say. It could be anything from a puzzled "Are you kidding?" to a confident "I think you should!" The key is to bring the discussion up early and often, instead of waiting until the last minute and then dropping it like a bombshell at the dinner table.

Your role in the family will play an important part in how your news is received. If you are the breadwinner and going back to school means cutting back on your hours at work, your family might be understandably concerned as to how finances will work out. If you are a stay-at-home mother, there could be concerns about how you will handle all of the responsibilities on your plate.

Field all the questions calmly and openly, exploring all the options as you go. Talking through the concerns is the best way to alleviate them and find solutions that work for everyone involved. Point out that though there might be compromises for everyone and some resistance at first, going back to school benefits the entire family in the long run. Work together as a family to keep your eyes on the prize.

Online degree versus traditional classroom education

A serious consideration when going back to school is the question of online learning versus a traditional classroom. Attending school in a traditional classroom setting can mean quite a bit of time away from your family, due in part to rigid class schedules, commuting time and other obligations to the degree program you choose.

Earning an online degree can make it much easier to juggle all of your obligations while attending school. Online programs offer flexible schedules, shorter classes, and the ease of studying anywhere, anytime. You might also be able to work through the courses faster, earning your degree in a shorter period of time.

Tips to getting through the degree program without losing your mind

Careful planning and a dash of luck can help make it happen without driving everyone crazy in the process. Here are a few tips to make the transition easier:

• Keep it real. Be realistic about what going back to school will mean, not only for your free time, but for your finances as well. Compromises from everyone in the family might be necessary. Reassess the situation every few months to make sure you are all still on the same page.
• Schedule day-to-day life. Once upon a time, the laundry got done or the lawn got mowed simply because you had the time to do it. After your time is limited by school, those everyday things can fall to the wayside if they are not scheduled to be done.
• Work it out. Inevitably, there will be surprises, like that extra expense for study materials you didn't realize you would have. Take a deep breath and work through the problem as calmly as you can.
• Enlist study helpers. Your family members can make excellent study partners. Ask the kids to quiz you on a list of key points as you fold laundry. Ask your spouse to critique your term paper. Working together helps invest everyone in your education.
• Set goals. Are you working toward that promotion? Does the increased income mean you can finally afford that dream house for your family? When times get tough, talk about those future plans.
• Show your appreciation. Don't forget that your family is working hard to help you make the dream a reality. Tell them often how much you appreciate them, and reward them for their help with quality time. After all, they are a big part of the reason you're going back to school.

Going back to school can be exciting and scary at the same time. But with strong family support, you can feel much more confident in the journey ahead.

• Could You Be an Accidental Plagiarist?
• Degree seeker, world traveler: Tips for earning a degree while traveling
• Average student, extracurricular ace: Get ahead with life experience
• Enriching your golden years: Retirees going back to school
• College credit for life experience: Total scam or sublime solution?
• Help! My professor hates me!
• Smart gadgets make online education easier
• Drop back in! Credit for life experience helps you finish your education in no time
• Facebook for college students: 5 simple steps to productivity
• Top 10 Ways to Use Twitter for College Students

• Which One Are You?
• Credit for Life Experience
• 7 Success Strategies for Distance Learners
• What Foods Help You Learn Better?
• Cramming for Exams? 9 Quick Study Tips to Use Now
• The 5 Attributes of an Effective Learner
• E-learning ROI
• Unleash Your Inner Brainiac! 25 Top Blogs to Train Your Brain
• What Kind Of Smart Are You?
• You Think, Therefore You Are: 20 Top Blogs that Make You Think