Five Topics to Discuss with Your Family Before You Start an Online Degree Program

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Five Topics to Discuss with Your Family Before You Start an Online Degree Program

Guide to Online Education > Online Education Basics > Going Back To School Online > Topics to Discuss with Your Family

Without the moral support and day-to-day help of your spouse and children, many adult learners are prone to give up and quit. It's truly a team effort.
Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Excelsior College

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Having the support of your loved ones in what you do is always good. However, having your family on board as you embark upon a major life event - like going back to school to earn your degree - is even more important. Keeping your family in the loop about your decision to go to (or return to) college is crucial to your success. Says Associate Dean at Excelsior College, a well-known college for non-traditional (adult) learners, Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D., “Without the moral support and day-to-day help of your spouse and children, many adult learners are prone to give up and quit. It's truly a team effort. ”

Be prepared and have a list of talking points for guidance. You’ve done your research and you’re ready to enroll. Call a family meeting and discuss the following:

Why you are going back to school and why you are doing it online.

Explain why this is important to you and your reasons for going back to school: “earn more money”; “qualify for a promotion”; “make a career change”; “finish something I started a long time ago”). Then be sure to emphasize the ways your degree will benefit the entire family in the long run. Get them excited about how you envision things to be in the future.

Explain that an online degree makes sense for you and your situation.

You chose online learning for a variety of reasons. Distance learning is flexible, convenient, and proven to be no different than learning done in a classroom. Despite all the benefits of distance education, anticipate a level of skepticism. Describe some of your initial concerns about online education and discuss how you decided on an online degree. Illustrate that you have conducted careful research into the different educational options available to you.

Discuss the impact of the cost of your schooling on the family budget.

Be up front in talking how about you will be paying for your education: applying for federal financial aid; taking on some credit card debt; having your employer shoulder the costs of your online degree, etc. Be specific if there are any personal or familial sacrifices that need to be made. If some corners are to be cut, be fair and show how everyone will have to contribute. Remind your family that your education is essentially an investment in yourself. Will family members have to take on additional tasks around the house? It's a good idea to spend a few moments covering household chores and other responsibilities as well. Outline a plan that everyone can live with.

Tell your family how they can help you succeed.

Establish ground rules for your study time. You will need more than just the time you spend accessing your online class. Budget for homework, reading your textbooks, writing papers or replying to discussion board postings. Set reasonable expectations for your study hours – “quiet time between 7-8 p.m.” or “no bothering Mommy unless something is on fire or there is massive bleeding involved” – and how they can support you in your new role as a student. Be prepared to consistently enforce these rules until the new family routine is firmly in place.

Discuss the timeline of getting your online degree.

Share with your family your prospective schedule for the completion of your degree. A timeline will illustrate that this is a long-term commitment to which you have already devoted a lot of thought and planning will help put things in perspective for others. Tell your family when you expect to earn your degree and plan a commencement dinner or graduation party to celebrate.

Earning an online degree is very important undertaking, and this talk is meant for you to express your needs. At the same time, acknowledge that this decision will impact and affect the family structure. Providing a respectful family forum affords everyone the chance to voice their thoughts and feelings about topic. A meaningful dialogue with your family keeps the lines of communication open and gives you the support you need to begin a successful academic journey.

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