Adult transfer student Lori Luo provides helpful tips on balancing family responsibilities while pursuing her Early Childhood Education degree at the Mount.
What is your year and major? What is your anticipated graduation year?
I transferred to the Mount in Fall 2021, majoring in Early Childhood Education. I will graduate in May 2024.
What inspired you to pursue a program at the Mount?
I chose the Mount because of the Dual Licensure program, and also I had a great experience communicating with the Office of Admissions.
How did the Mount support you during your adult transfer journey, to make your program goals achievable?
My transfer was particularly complicated, because I had credits from a college in China from years ago as well as from Cincinnati State Community College. However, the Mount made it as easy as it could be. Amy Wolf, the person who is responsible for the transfer recruitment, was very patient and caring. She did her best to maximize the transfer credits.
How do you manage your course load with a job/and or your personal life?
As an adult transfer, I have a busy personal life with my husband, a 4-year-old preschooler, and a 1-year-old toddler. Managing a busy life with family responsibilities and pursuing education can be challenging, but I found a balance with effective time management and organization. Here are some strategies that I used to help me manage my course load while juggling with my personal life:
- Create a Schedule: Develop a weekly schedule that outlines my family commitments, and study time. Allocate specific time blocks for each activity, including quality time with my family, coursework, and personal relaxation.
- Use a Calendar Every Day: Utilize digital and physical calendars to track deadlines, assignments, exams, and other important dates. This helps me stay organized and avoid last-minute rushes.
- Break Down Tasks: Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This can make studying and completing assignments feel less overwhelming.
- Stay Flexible: Life is unpredictable, so I am ready to adapt my schedule when unexpected circumstances arise, such as being sick myself or when my kids are sick.
Are there any staff or professors you would like to credit who helped accommodate your transfer or Mount experience?
All the professors I have had at the Mount are accommodating, but there are a few of them that I would especially like to highlight, such as Dr. Megan Dinnesen, Mrs. Denise Cagle, and Mrs. Lucie Collier. Every student likes Dr. Dinnesen at the Mount. Her class is really interesting and she truly makes sure you learn. Mrs. Cagle is willing to teach her students everything she knows. Mrs. Collier made my first practicum experience smooth and fun.
What [or who] is your biggest motivator during challenging times?
There were a few moments I felt like giving up, but my advisor Cara Dubay was always there willing to help me figure out my course schedules and what we could do to help me succeed. My family supports me a lot when I feel overwhelmed, especially my husband.
What advice would you have for other adult students looking to transfer to a 4-year college?
Here are a few pieces of advice I would have for other adult students looking to transfer to a 4-year college:
- Take Care of Yourself: Self-care is important for us when balancing our work/personal life with our education.
- Manage Your Time: Time management skills are essential for us to succeed either at work or in education.
- Ask for Help If Needed: There are many times we can’t do it all by ourselves. Asking for help from your professor, family members, co-workers, and friends is nothing to shame A majority of people are willing to help others.
Open Response Opportunity (Anything else you want to share about your experience?)
I really enjoyed my time at the Mount. All the faculties are unbelievably friendly. This is a wonderful journey that I will always remember.