Tips for College Moms Like many of you, I took a few (ten?) years off…
Back to School Survival Tips for College Moms
I'm a Mom, and I'm in college. My official major is Mortuary Science, but because of Mom responsibilities, I won't be able to complete the program until the kids are a little older. I didn't realize how vigorous the program was (40ish hours each week, in person), but it's just like having a full-time – ehem, non-paying – job. Because of that, I'm taking other courses that will help prepare me for a funeral career should I ever choose to embark on it. In this sponsored post on behalf of Procter & Gamble, we're going to chat about how to survive college … as a Mom!
Before you head back to college this semester, be sure to stock up on essentials from Bed Bath & Beyond:
Makeup stuff: I don't usually wear makeup, but when I go on campus I do. Maybe it's because it makes me feel not as old and frumpy or something, I don't know? But I like to wear a little Covergirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner, mascara, and lip gloss. The Covergirl Eyeliner gives you the control of a pencil, while delivering the intensity of a liquid. There's just something about makeup that gives a Mom like me a little pep in her step.
Household stuff: Tide Pods. They save time and money, and are easier to use correctly than regular laundry detergent is. Nell does most of the laundry, so it's important that we keep it as simple as possible.
Smell good stuff: Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner, and Old Spice Lasting Legend Dirt Destroyer Body Wash – because smelling good is always a priority.
Look for Tide, Secret, Crest, Gillette, Olay, Old Spice, Herbal Essences, Always, Head & Shoulders and Tampax. All of these P&G products and more are available in the Harmon section of Bed Bath & Beyond.
Back to School Survival Tips for College Moms
College as a Mom is so much different than college as a 20something. The big question is, how do you balance it all? Life, school, kids, work, attempting to have a social life… it can be super overwhelming.
1. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I don't like asking for help, and I'm sure many moms feel the same way. When you're trying to juggle college on top of everything else, though, sometimes it's necessary.
2. Hold back. I don't mean hold back in the sense of getting Cs instead of As. What I mean is that all of the course options you're given can be exciting and you'll want to take ALL of the classes. The thing is, it's easy to get overloaded with coursework even when you're taking entry level classes. Keeping your course load around 12 credits (or less) is ideal.
Even if you really want to take an extra class, try starting off with 3-4 classes instead. If that goes well, take another the next semester. There's nothing worse than having to drop classes – or fail them because you couldn't handle it all.
You've gotta make sure you can pull some ALLDAYERS if you're going to take on a full course load. For those of you that don't yet speak “CollegeSpeak”, an “alldayer” is when you responsibly get through the day without taking a nap. I haven't pulled one of those in a long time.
3. Buddy up. If you can make a mom friend or two in your college classes, that's gold! While I do have a few mom friends that are going to college, none of us are taking the same classes so it doesn't really work as well when we get together to study. If you have friends that are taking the same classes, you can study, swap notes, and help each other prepare for tests.
4. Hire a sitter. Stay at home moms have a tough time with this one, and if you aren't making a whole lot of money right now I can definitely agree that a sitter is a luxury rather than a necessity.
I'm fortunate because Rachel takes care of the kids while I go to the coffee shop or wherever I need to go to study without interruptions. If you don't have a spouse that's home to watch the kids, consider hiring a Mother's Helper or teenager to come to your house to supervise the kiddos while you get your study on.
5. Try family homework time. This might not be possible if you're taking advanced classes, or if you have younger children, but I find that having a specific homework time for everyone can be fun. Most of the time, I work and do homework after the girls are in bed. Sometimes, though, we'll all sit at the table together and work on our homework individually. It's quiet, so I can concentrate, but I'm there if they need me.
To be completely honest, helping Sapphire with homework stresses me out. I try to make sure she is just reading a book or practicing her handwriting during family homework time. Anything else is just too much for me to handle while I'm working on my own homework. Don't feel bad if you can't deal with family homework time. Take that time to copy notes or do some “light” reading instead of the hard core stuff.
6. Consider online courses. I like to do a mix of online courses and on-campus courses, mostly because I'll take any reason at all to get out of the house. Balance is also important, though, which is why I don't take all on-campus courses. Adding online courses into the mix will free up some of your time. That's not to say that online courses are easier, because they aren't! I just like mixing it up.
7. Take care of yourself. A little bit of pampering goes a long way. Pampering before I was a mom, and pampering now that I am a mom, are completely different. Right now, I'm feeling pampered because I bought some Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste and a Gillette Venus Swirl Razor!
GOOD NEWS! FREE MONIES, THREE WAYS.
1– Purchase $40 worth of P&G products from the Harmon section of Bed Bath & Beyond, and you'll receive a FREE $10 Bed Bath and Beyond gift card! This deal is valid through August 31st, 2016.
2– You can also WIN a $250 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card. How? Join the #CollegeSpeak P&G Twitter Party on August 17th at 9:00AM EST. To enter to win, participate with an original tweet (no retweets) using the hashtag, #CollegeSpeak, in response to the Twitter party questions. (4) winners will be selected at random from those that reply to the questions. 1 winner will receive a $250 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card, 3 winners will each receive a $100 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card!
3– Share your own #CollegeSpeak term for the chance to win a $50 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card and the following P&G products:
- CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner
- CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick
- Gillette Venus Swirl Razor
- Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
- Old Spice Lasting Legend Dirt Destroyer Body Wash
- Secret Outlast Invisible Solid Deodorant
- Tide Pods
- Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste
- Oral B Toothbrush
ENTER HERE:
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Procter & Gamble.
Cori Cambanes says
When enrolling in classes last night I almost went overboard. Hubby had to tell me to delete a few and just start with 3… I haven’t been to college since ’93! I needed this post today!!
Michelle M. says
I love Alldayer! I unfortunately do them all the time! Lol!
Brittany Light says
Alldayer seems pretty accurate in my life right now! No naps for this girl!
Sara B. says
I’ve said “Legday” before but usually when talking about the workout day when I won’t be able to walk afterwards ^___^
Gracie Hancock says
ALLDAYER-b/c i have to do it all the time, so rarely get a nap, but always feel like i need one
Tara says
Alldayer – I need a nap right now!
Kristina Bliss says
I love the term Alldayer. I need to freshen up on my #collegespeak as I feel so out of the loop on the other terms.
Tricia Igo says
as usual, you have some great tips… I was looking at a new ‘bootcamp’ my university is offering on analytics – thinking about it, but realistically don’t see it happening. It’s been a while since I’ve been to my local Bed, Bath and Beyond – didn’t realize they had all the stuff you mention.
Patricia Cory Parsons says
Great tips, thanks for sharing! I’m not sure an ALLDAYER is in my realm of possibilities. LOL
Julie Cutshaw says
I like the CollegeSpeak of “I love you more than this” which depicts a cell phone in meaning. I think it’s so important for the colledge students to not let their cell phones be top proority and let their safty in cars etc. come first, answering calls of texting later when your in a safe place.
Shannon D Gilmore says
Love the blog, awesome tips not only good for College, but for everyday at home too. My fave colleges peak term is All dater, and yes I use this word a lot, especially since taking a nap is usually a normal thing for me!!!
LaTanya Thornhill says
I picked ALLDAYER because that seems like my life these days. I really miss my nap time.
Erika Fultz says
LotScavenger: when you keep circling and circling and circling the lot nearest your class because your way too tired to deal with parking in the next lot…
Jessica Cempa says
I love hairapy! When starting the day with an amazing shower and clean, fragrant hair, I feel like I can tackle all the mom moments!
Melissa Richard Karlovetz says
Definitely ALLDAYER, though I will admit that doesn’t always happen here.
Lisa Clark says
I’m trying an alldayer today but I’m not 100% certain I can pull it off. I may need an adultier adult to help. :p
Jenn Porsche says
Alldayer for sure! Have to be w/a large family!
Colleen McLean says
All AWESOME TIPS! I remember going back to college at 39 (12 years ago) and how overwhelming it was to raise kids and keep a home running while attending. Hairapy would be the best description of how hard it was to juggle just brushing my hair on the way to class!
Stacy Calhoun says
Alldayer- having a high school student, and an elementary school student all while I am in college myself it is a task to stay awake all day. I stay up super late studying and am up early to get girls off to school. Then it is housework time and class time for me. By time i am out of college, it is time to get the kids, snacks, make dinner and then bath time routines. Yet when I can I will try and sneak in a nap.
Michelle Marino says
HAIRAPY (v): The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start <3 <3 For reals though, I am so much more productive when my hair is clean. Weird I know, but truth !
Sara Campbell says
I think ALLDAYER is the new word for my vocabulary. I have been pulling them since my boys started back to school. I have wanted to takes naps but I clean up around the house to keep myself from taking one or I would sleep the day away.
Crystal F says
I think my favorite would be the ALLDAYER. Thank you!!
April says
I like the ALLDAYER. With twins, that is me right now!
arline says
My fav term is • ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap.
I pulled an alldayer everyday last week!!
Sara Sullivan says
I like SPEAKYCLEAN – I like to make my home so clean that it requires a compliment…even from my husband!
Kim Henley says
#momclean ! That is the way I want my house to look every day, it is just not achievable though :/
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
Ashley C
Cynthia Conley says
I like ALLDAYER. When you start to fade in the afternoon, grab that mug and fill it up with coffee.
Lataevea Burke says
I picked ALLDAYER although naps are great as a pick me up!
Amy Smart-Porchetta says
I love hairapy! I recently transitioned to working from home and there’s little that boosts me more than a nice smelling shampoo and clean hair!
Mary Ann Cloud says
I like ALLDAYER – that’s how I know I’ve accomplished all my goals for the day when I can pull one of these
Amber says
My kids make me pull all dayers. It’s so rude! Haha
M Kim Funk says
I love HAIRAPY (v): The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start. Starting the day all fresh, clean and put together helps me get the most out of my day.
Sandy Klocinski says
I used to be able to pull all-nighters but now I can barely pull all-dayers!
Kimberly Flickinger says
ALLDAYER describes me to a tee!
Lauren Becker says
Legday, when I actually get to wear skirts or a dress (which I love) because I took the time to shave…or it’s finally not too cold out! haha
-Lauren
Stephanie Vollowitz Light says
momclean – how I explain to my kids how clean my stuff is!
Alyce Poalillo says
ALLDAYER as this is me every day
Stephanie A. Orefice says
omg i absolutely LOVE the hairapy one. so accurate lol.
Randi says
Great tips!!!
Teresa Winsome says
My favorite term is ALLDAYER. I think all of us on this planet can connect with that and wish we didn’t have to pull alldayers.
Latoya Gordon says
I like alldayer, but I I love my naps…
ken ohl says
alldayer for sure. thankyou, ken
Annmarie DiPasqua Weeks says
I love the term ALLDAYER! Because that’s me. Even on those days that I get drowsy and say “I need a nap!”, I stay awake & keep pushing through the day!
Elizabeth Parker says
Hairapy! That’s a fun one.
Vera Prunn says
With the kids back in school, I’m no longer an ALLDAYER.
Brittney House says
HalfQuickClean=when someone is coming over and you have to make your place look clean when it really isnt. I do this often when people stop by unannounced.
Skye Moyer says
Oh I like saving the monies!!
Rita Melton says
I like HAIRAPY – ’cause sometimes it is all you need to feel better on a hectic crazy day!
Carolyn G says
I like squeakyclean. I would use this with my teenager
Jenna Hudson says
LEGDAY (n): A great day for showing off those legs. It’s been so hot I have no other choice!
Danielle Martinez says
We do family homework. I only have one in school right now, but everyone else is learning early.
Christina Buff says
Legday :) The same day I shave my legs. Even my kiddo knows I wear my shorts on Legday and Capris after that.
Cathy French says
I like the ALLDAYER meaning but I would go with ALLWEEKER meaning trying to get through a whole week without a nap or two or three
Jenny Scheldberg says
Today was an alldayer for me. I love my weekend naps but errands and laundry got in the way.
Priscilla S. says
I think my favorite would have to be the ALLDAYER. It seems to be my default state lately!
Sarah Skylark says
I like Hairapy:The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start. With it being so hot and humid I love going to bed with a clean hair.
Melissa says
ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap. these are the best days ever!
Alma says
I’m an ALLDAYER even when I’m begging for a nap!
Shayna Brookman says
I WOULD SAY ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap. I CAN’T EVEN REMEMBER THAT LAST TIME I TOOK A NAP SO EVERYDAY IS AN ALLDAYER :)
Trisha Burgess says
I pull ALLDAYERs a lot! I definitely could use that nap but the house certainly doesn’t clean itself and babu doesn’t help much! So it’s an ALLDAYER For me!
chelsea says
alldayerrrrrr lol
MaryAnn says
I just recently graduated from College as a mother of 2. I would say Alldayer is very true.
kim h says
I have to agree with this one…lol MOMCLEAN (a): Clean like it came right from your mom’s washer
My friends son just started college last week and already drove 2 1/2 hours so his mom could do the laundry
Julie Matek says
I love alldayer! I try to nap when I can but feel much more energy when I don’t; )
Julie M says
I love alldayer
Penny Snyder says
Love Alldayer – not only have to be a multi-tasker, but make it thru the day!!~
karen says
ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap because it would be so nice to take a nap everyday. oh how a i remember those college days
jules m. says
i practice the art of ALLDAYER every single day unless i am really ill. lol
Trisha McKee says
I love ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap! I always say this when i work at night and then go fishing all day. I often do an Alldayer just to get some fishing done.
Tina Reynolds says
I like Alldayer. I became an alldayer when I became a mom ;)
Carolyn Daley says
I think out of the examples in the post the one that applies to me best is Alldayer.
Clair Freebie says
I think my new word is going to be ALLDAYER! Pretty soon it’s back to school and schedules will get crazy so I will have to adult more LOL
Carl White says
Huh?
Share your favorite #CollegeSpeak term and how you use it in your life!
• MOMCLEAN (a): Clean like it came right from your mom’s washer • SPEAKYCLEAN (a): So shiny you have to say something about it • HAIRAPY (v): The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start • LEGDAY (n): A great day for showing off those legs • FRESHZEN (n): A student who is completely focused on fresh • ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap
Kate F. says
My favorite #CollegeSpeak term is alldayer, although it doesn’t always happen here.
laurie murley says
I like the SPEAKYCLEAN (a): So shiny you have to say something about it